Divinity Family Services

Foster parents reported they have used their open hand and fly swatter to tap the children placed in their home to correct behaviors.

The documentation of the hospital visit stipulated a follow up visit three days later. The operation did not acquire a follow up visit for the foster child until 27 days after the initial hospital visit.

One of three child records did not have a prelim service plan present in the child file. One of three child records did not have prelim completed timely.

Three of Three child records did not have an invitation notice for the intial service plan.

A home did not have documented observations or discussion for two months. An extension was granted due to their training was going to be completed outside of the initial time frame for compliance, The operation was transferred to current RCCR inspector with this item pending.

Initial service plan was not present for two of three child records.

Two training records reviewed for this branch showed the 2 foster parents did not complete the training within the 12 month period

Household member turned 14 years and a background check was not completed within the appropriate time frame.

Documentation of the move and approval was not present within the child's record at the time of inspection.

Pre-placement visit was not present within the child's record at the time of inspection.

Home variance reviewed did not have documentation to reflect discussions and child interviews with household members related to imposed conditions.

At the time of the sampling visit a service plan was not completed within the appropriate time frame.

At the time of the sampling visit the home was not appropriately licensed for a child placed in the home.

The foster parents did not have active background when they provided respite.

Operation did not complete the two required unannounced inspections during the review period.

One of two homes reviewed did not have documentation for drills completed since home was verified. Another home did not include required discussions for plans and procedures. In addition, the form used by the operation did not have an area to document the discussion or duration of the drill. Documentation did not include severe weather drills and other evacuation and safety practices.

Agency home reviewed did not have correct age range for children verified on the physical verification certificate provided to the home and in home file compared to the operation's online submission. Verification certificate reflected 0-17 online submission showed 5-11.

Home variance reviewed did not have documentation to reflect discussions and child interviews with household members related to imposed conditions.

Child rights form was not present within the appropriate time from admission.

Variance conditions were not completed due to missing documentation in the children records.

Foster Parent rights form was not available at the operation at the time of inspection.

Caregiver administered physical restraint in attempt to have the child comply.

Condition for variance was not met upon review.

Medications in the refrigerator were not locked. The foster mother found a box with a lock on it and put the medications in the locked box in the refrigerator.

A child received a burn on their leg after an iron fell on them while the caregiver was ironing their clothes.

Condition for variance was not met upon review.

The caregiver added two adults on the Daycare Admission Information form as authorized to pick up and transport the child in care. One person did not have a Background Check and the other has a Provisional Background Check and a Safety Plan in place that notes the person is not allowed to be alone with the child in care. There were no notes on the daycare form explaining the person could not be alone with the child.

Supervisory visits in a 2 parent home were conducted for 3 quarters in a row with one foster parent not being present for any of the quarterly visits.

Annual trainings were reviewed and it was determined that annual trainings were late.

Service plan was completed on 04/08/24 and was not signed in a timely manner, service plan was not signed by caseworker until 05/08/24.

A background check was inactivated for a caegiver that is still active within the operation.

Foster parent allowed a visitor with an ineligible background check in the home.

Camera is present in the children's room. Permission for the use of cameras is not present in-service plan.

An incident report did not have the treating licensed health-care professional's name.

Children in care are not supervised when caregiver leaves the residence.

There are missing outlet covers on the majority of the electrical outlets in the apartment.

Operation conducted the parent notification after 12 days of being notified of the findings for standard 749.1003(b)(1)(B).

Record review of child service plans revealed a review of service plan was done on 06/14/2019 and the next one was done 210 days after on 01/10/2020.

2 out of 4 records reviewed did not have documentation for the initial service plan provided to child parent.

It is found that trainings were not conducted on 2/15/24, and foster parent admitted that holds are still being utilized within the last two months.

It is found that trainings were not conducted on 2/15/24, and foster parent admitted that holds are still being utilized within the last two months.

It was found that a Child stated they did not have major pain, and that if they moved too much they would feel pain.

Child in care did not receive follow-up care as outline in the discharge form.

Incident was not reported within 24hrs of incident.

2 of 2 child records reviewed did not have completed orientation records within seven days.

Caregivers did not complete training for TBRI 2023.

Child record did not have a completed admission assessment prior to admission due to missing details and documents. Admission was 10/27/23, and further details were not provided until 11/2/23.

This standard was found deficient as part of a DFPS Investigation.

Caregiver allowed a registered offender to have an over night visit at the home.

A communicable disease was not reported within 24 hours time period for the foster parent.

Play equipment is cracked and accessible to child in care.

Kitchen cabinets did not have child-proofed locks and stored glass and chemicals.

Medication was unlocked and on a low shelf, accessible to child in care.

Pet feces was found in backyard and accessible to child in care.

Interview confirmed caregiver put the child over their shoulder to place them in their room while dysregulated. Operations policy does not allow restraints to be used.

Addendums were not completed as required for major life changes in the home.

Foster parent drinks an excessive amount of alcohol in the presence of child in care.

Frequent visitors of the home did not have required background checks.

3 of the 4 household pets did not have required vaccinations.

Caregiver administered a restraint to children in care however, operations policy states Emergency Behavior Intervention is not used.

Caregiver is not qualified to administer restraints as foster parents are not provided training related to Emergency Behavior Intervention only Trust-based relational intervention.

Incident occurred 11/20/23 3 to 5am and not reported until around 5pm that same day.

CPR Certificate card was found to be expired.

A foster parent tested positive for a communicable disease on 09/26/2023 but Licensing was not notified of this until 10/02/2023.

1 of 2 home records do not have a completed disaster plan.

1 of 2 records did not show the dimensions and the purpose of the rooms in the floor plans.

Background Check was not present for frequent visitor.

One staff affidavit was dated and signed two weeks prior to being notarized, indicating that that document wasn't notarized in the presence of the notary.

Agency did not report serious incident in a timely manner.

The agency did not report the child in care was injured and had to get medical treatment from a medical professional.

Multiple expired medication products were stored with current medication.

During a walkthrough of the foster home, a broken drawer was observed with exposed nails.

While conducting a walk-through of the foster home, the smoke detector on the first floor was making a chirping noise indicating that the battery needed to be replaced.

Medication box was observed to be on the counter, not double locked, upon CCI arrival. The box lid was closed and the lock was hanging but not locked. Medication was also observed on the kitchen counter. Foster mother stated that she had use the medication earlier in the day and didn't lock it back.

Food was not properly stored.

Three expired medication products were stored with current medications at time of inspection.

Previous home verification information was not included in the home study.

Bedroom door in the home is damaged. Bathroom used by children in care was not clean, and there is a leak under the sink. Additionally, both bathroom sinks are having issues with water pressure.

Grass in the backyard of the home is not maintained. There are also many discarded toys and trash in both yards of the home. Additionally, there are piles of dead wood and various objects a child may injure themselves with if not properly supervised.

There was dog defication on the floor in the kitchen area next to food.

During the course of the investigation, it was found there is a child over the age of 14 years old living in the home who has not had a background check completed.

There was a citation issued for driving a vehicle without a license.

1 of the 10 serious incident reports reviewed were not reported to the hotline.

2 of the 10 serious incident reports reviewed did not include names of witnesses and circumstances surrounding incident.

A child in care was called damaged by foster parent and foster parent would bring up the child's history in the presence of others. A child in care had to pick up trash around the community as punishment.

A foster parent indicated they notified their case manager on 12-26-2022 (verified with text messages) that the hospital admitted a foster child that same day for respiratory illness. Operation personnel indicated the operation did not report this hospital admission until 01-09-2023.

One of the child's records reviewed identified that a dental exam was not conducted timely. The exam was conducted more than 30 days after the child was admitted.

5 of the 14 children's records reviewed did not have signatures indicating rights were reviewed with children timely.

Operation failed to timely submit initial background check of an individual requiring a background check.

7 of the 14 children's records reviewed did not give the parties involved 2 weeks advance notice of the initial service plan meeting,

A child's medication log did not identify the month and year.

A medication record reviewed indicated a child was given two medications not according to professional orders.

An agency home did not have unannounced supervisory visits for the year 2021.

Child in care was taken on a walk by an adult who does not have a background check on file. Foster parent was with inspector and was not supervising this activity.

Crib used by infant had a blanket and pillow at time of inspection.

Licensing was not notified timely of child in care testing positive for COVID-19.

A child in care was observed in a baby walker.

During the outside walkthrough of the home, there was several items of trash observed in the front lawn.

During the walkthrough of the home, there was an ac vent cover in the kitchen that was not properly secure.

A child was injured while using a learning toy that was not age appropriate.

Foster parent admitted that a youth, under the age of 16, babysat children in care without prior authorization.

Prescription medication was observed to be within reach of children, on the sink.

Foster parent stated a relative visits the home and helps with the children. No background check is on file for this individual.

It was determined based on interviews that foster parent would use corporal punishment on a child in care

It was determined based on interviews that a child in care would babysit other children in care without prior authorization. The child's Service Plan states "Children in Care must not have supervision responsibility of other children in the home."

4 Service plans reviewed were not signed by professional service provider.

10 records reviewed did not provide documentation of notifications to foster parents of the initial service plan meeting.

Foster parent identified an individual who visits the home 5 times a week. No background check is on file for this individual.

A communicable disease was not reported to licensing within the 24 hour time frame per the standards.

It was determined that a critical injury requiring medical treatment was not reported timely.

A child in care contracted a communicable disease on 07/02/2022 and the operation did not report this to Licensing until 07/11/2022.

Child?s diagnosis of communicable disease was not reported within the 24-hour required time fame.

The fire extinguisher did not have a tag or a date in which it was last serviced. A photo on the foster parents phone indicates the extinguisher was purchased on 1/22/2021.

Previous household member admitted to hitting a child in care as a means to discipline. Foster parent admitted that the individual in question would push the child to correct them.

Foster parent admitted that foster children sleep in caregivers bedroom. It was admitted that CPS was not informed of this arrangement.

Foster parent admitted that a youth babysat children in care without prior authorization.

Through the information received by the operation, a communicable disease was not reported timely.

6 out 10 foster home disaster/emergency plans had missing information such locating address for the evacuation.

The operation admitted a foster child's fracture was not reported to the DFPS hotline for nine days after the foster family became aware of it and provided medical documentation showing the date of diagnosis.

A frequent visitor to the foster home who is a family member does not have a background check.

Foster parent utilized inappropriate forms of discipline towards children in care to include: yelling and threatening corporal punishment.

There were occasions in which children in care were unsupervised at the pool. CVS worker did not give approval. In addition, there were postings at the pool stating children under the age of 18 needed adult supervision as there was no lifeguard on duty.

Children in care were required to serve as babysitters for other children. Children's service plans state the following "Children in care must not have supervision responsibility for other children in the home."

Caregiver admitted to giving the children in the home alcohol as well as smoking Marijuana with them.

A reportable serious incident was not reported to the hotline timely.

The gender was missing on 3 serious incident reports that were reviewed.

Household member who is 14 years old does not have a background check submitted.

Lock box that is used for gun storage has a broken lock. Gun was stored in foster parent's backpack.

A child in care had to hold their arms up in time out for 2-5 minutes when disciplined by the foster parents.

The foster home was over total capacity with 9 children living in the home.

There was no documentation in the foster home screening regarding whether or not the family will provide respite services on 5 out of 10 foster home records reviewed.

Discussion of weapons was missing/where they are stored in 6 out 10 foster home screening records.

A child in care tested positive for COVID-19 on 1/28/22 and it was not reported to RCCR until 2/4/22.

Two children in care were diagnosed with a communicable disease and it was not reported within the required timeframe.

Operation did not report positive COVID-19 of children in care within required time frame.

Child tested and received results on the 17th. Operation was notified on the 18th and reported the finding on the 19th.

COVID 19 was not reported within 24 hour timeframe. Diagnosis for one child on 01/11/2022 and another child on 01/13/2022, report to Licensing was done on 01/15/2022.

The age of a child who was on a trampoline at the foster home did not meet the manufactured recommendations.

It was determined that a foster parent used drugs based on their positive drug test which impeded their ability to adequately supervise the children.

Foster parent physically disciplined the children which led to injury to the children. It was also determined that the 3 children were left home alone without adult supervision for long periods of time.

During the interview with foster parent they admitted to pouring water over child in care as a way to calm the child down.

A child in care (6 months old) was admitted to the hospital on 11/09/2021 at 1:00 a.m. and the incident was not reported to licensing until 11/10/21 at 7:25 pm.

A child in care was admitted to the hospital on 11/09/2021 and the incident report did not include the time of day. The incident report also states that the child is zero months old.

Foster parent had dragged a child down some stairs and gave children hot sauce as a form of discipline.

The investigation revealed email correspondence which indicate an employee who was provisionally prohibited from supervisory work was directing and managing subordinate staff.

Former foster parent inappropriately touched a child in care and emotionally, mentally, and physically harmed the child.

Foster parent and her boyfriend inappropriately disciplined a child by making the child squat with a book over their head for a period of time.

A safety plan was put in place that foster parent's boyfriend was not allowed to have contact with the children in care. The safety plan was violated as the boyfriend came to the home and had contact with the children at the time of removal.

Agency did not document additional incident report after a child in care ran away a second time within the same day.

Operation did not timely report communicable disease to licensing.

Based on information gathered during interviews, It was found that the foster parents 16 year old biological child has served as a babysitter for the children without approval.

A caregiver contracted a communicable disease and it was not reported to Licensing until two days later.

A serious incident was not documented in a report.

Operation failed to report awareness of reportable communicable disease timely.

A child in care was not appropriately secured/supervised with a safety belt while in a shopping cart and the child fell.

An unapproved person was present around a child in care.

During the inspection it was observed, that 1 out of 5 staff records were missing a notarized affidavit for employment.

Insulin was stored in the fridge of the home and was not locked.

Two children in care were left unattended for 1 hour without supervision.

A child in care was hit on the hand by a foster parent.

A child was supervised by 4 unauthorized caregivers who do not have background checks.

It was observed that the home had cockroaches in the kitchen.

A child in care was supervised by an unauthorized caregiver.

The family moved to a new address on 6/8/2021. The address has not yet been changed in the CLASS system as of 8/19/2021.

During the course of the investigation, addendums to the home study were requested. The addendums provided, both dated 6/26/2021, were to address weapons no longer being in the home and one foster parent no longer living in the home 100% of the time. An addendum to the home study to address the foster home address changing was not completed or provided by the operation.

The CPA did not adequately address concerns with law enforcement history, past relationships, and dishonesty with the foster home in the home study before verifying the home.

A preliminary service plan was not completed within 72 hours for the child in care.

A neighbor was supervising the child while the caregiver was not present in the home and does not have a background check. Also two visitors visited the home frequently and were around the child in care who did not have background checks.

A child was left with an individual not approved by the operation.

Operation failed to timely submit the information required to conduct an initial background check, for a frequent visitor in the home.

Child tested positive for COVID on 05/24/2021 and it was reported on 05/26/2021.

Two of the household members tested positive for COVID on 05/21/2021 and it was reported on 05/24/2021

Children in care contracted communicable disease and it was not reported in timely manner.

Gate to the pool was not closed or locked.

Child-in-care was allowed to self-administer medication without written authorization from their CPS caseworker.

Child-in-care was allowed to self-administer medication without first consulting the prescribing health-care professional.

After the review of 7 records, two home studies contained inaccurate information for the specific foster homes. Five records review contained the same information for all foster home screenings on certain sections. The records reviewed did not give specific detail about the specific foster home. A general perspective about of foster parents perspectives were used in all 5 home studies.

A foster parent used excessive force towards a child in care when the child refused to change clothes.

A foster parent attempted to limit movement of a child in care and also pulled their hair.

While under supervision of foster parent, children in care were riding a motor vehicle without following proper safety guidelines. Manufacture instructions specify

A 6 year old child is required to wear pullups at night.

Victim received a positive COVID test on 3/25/2021, a notification to licensing was not generated until 3/28/2021.

It was observed that multiple cleaning chemicals were being stored below the kitchen sink, in arms reach of a child, without a lock. When renovating the cabinets the child proof lock was removed and never reinstalled.

A family member with history of RTB's was allowed to be in and around children in the foster home.

The agency did not address the concern mentioned in the home screening about domestic violence in a significant prior relationship.

Agency staff has not completed a child's service plan for a child in care.

A three year old child was not being supervised and was in her room with a door locked at the bottom.

There were dog feces under a table in the home.

Two children that were frequent visitors at the foster home, did not receive background checks when they turned 14. An additional penalty in the amount of the daily maximum will be recommended for each day past the Compliance Date that the deficiency is not corrected. It is your responsibility to notify Licensing when you have corrected the deficiency.

Caregiver in the home did not have a background check. An additional penalty in the amount of the daily maximum will be recommended for each day past the Compliance Date that the deficiency is not corrected. It is your responsibility to notify Licensing when you have corrected the deficiency.

Due to caregiver?s lack of planning, caregiver had two biological sons supervise children, while caregiver took daughter to hospital.