STATE OF MICHIGAN RICK SNYDER

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

GOVERNOR

DIVISION OF CHILD WELFARE LICENSING

NICK LYON DIRECTOR

December 7, 2015 Jaimie Clayton Oakland Family Services 114 Orchard Lake Road Pontiac, MI 48341

RE: License #: CB630201335 Investigation #: 2016C0221003 Oakland Family Services

Dear Ms. Clayton: Attached is the Special Investigation Report for the above referenced facility. Due to the violations identified in the report, a written corrective action plan is required. The corrective action plan is due 15 days from the date of this letter and must include the following: • • • • •

How compliance with each rule will be achieved. Who is directly responsible for implementing the corrective action for each violation. Specific time frames for each violation as to when the correction will be completed or implemented. How continuing compliance will be maintained once compliance is achieved. The signature of the responsible party and a date.

Please review the enclosed documentation for accuracy and contact me with any questions. In the event that I am not available and you need to speak to someone immediately, please contact the local office at (248) 975-5053.

P.O. BOX 30664 • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909-8164 www.michigan.gov • (517) 335-1980

Please note that violations of any licensing rules are also violations of the MSA and your contract. Sincerely,

Alicia Wiggins, Licensing Consultant MDHHS\Division of Child Welfare Licensing 4th Floor, Suite 4B 51111 Woodward Avenue Pontiac, MI 48342 (248) 917-1048 enclosure

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION OF CHILD WELFARE LICENSING SPECIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT

I. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION License #:

CB630201335

Investigation #:

2016C0221003

Complaint Receipt Date:

10/08/2015

Investigation Initiation Date:

10/09/2015

Report Due Date:

12/07/2015

Licensee Name:

Oakland Family Services

Licensee Address:

114 Orchard Lake Road Pontiac, MI 48341

Licensee Telephone #:

(248) 858-7766

Administrator:

Jaimie Clayton

Licensee Designee:

Jaimie Clayton, Designee

Name of Facility:

Oakland Family Services

Facility Address:

114 Orchard Lake Road Pontiac, MI 48341

Facility Telephone #:

(248) 858-7766

Original Issuance Date:

09/01/1991

License Status:

REGULAR

Effective Date:

07/06/2014

Expiration Date:

07/05/2016

Capacity:

Unknown

Program Type:

CHILD PLACING AGENCY, PRIVATE

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II.

ALLEGATION(S)

Foster child A’s Lawyer-Guardian Ad Litem (LGAL) was not included in the Family Team Meeting (FTM) to discuss foster child A’s change of placement. Foster child A has had several foster home placements.

III.

Violation Established? Yes

Foster child A’s LGAL was not provided with foster child A’s new foster care worker’s contact information and foster child A’s new placement information.

Yes

Additional Findings

Yes

METHODOLOGY 10/08/2015

Special Investigation Intake 2016C0221003

10/09/2015

Special Investigation Initiated - Telephone Spoke with Nancy Rebar, Oakland Family Services' Director.

10/09/2015

Contact - Telephone call made Interviewed the complainant.

10/20/2015

Inspection Completed On-site Interviewed Velma Coleman, Oakland Family Services' Foster Care Worker, Kenesia Cheatham, Oakland Family Services' Foster Care Supervisor and Nancy Rebar, Oakland Family Services' Director. Reviewed foster Child A's case file and MiSACWIS.

12/03/2015

Contact - Telephone call made Interviewed Velma Coleman, Oakland Family Services' Foster Care Worker.

12/04/2015

Exit Conference.

ALLEGATION#1: Foster child A’s Lawyer-Guardian Ad Litem (LGAL) was not included in the Family Team Meeting (FTM) to discuss foster child A’s change of placement. Foster child A has had several foster home placements.

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ALLEGATION#2: Foster child A’s LGAL was not provided with foster child A’s new foster care worker’s contact information and foster child A’s new placement information. INVESTIGATION: On 10/09/2015, the complainant was interviewed via telephone. The complainant stated that Velma Coleman, Oakland Family Services' Foster Care Worker, contacted the LGAL on 09/22/2015 regarding the FTM for foster child A’s change of placement. The FTM was scheduled for 09/24/2015 at 4:30 p.m. The LGAL informed Ms. Coleman that she was probably going to be in a trial all afternoon. She asked Ms. Coleman to call her at 4:30 p.m. to see if she was available. The complainant reported that Ms. Coleman called the LGAL at approximately 5:21 p.m. and 5:22 p.m.; however, the LGAL could not answer the telephone. Subsequently, the LGAL emailed Ms. Coleman and requested the contact information for the new foster care worker and foster child A’s new placement address. At the time of the complaint, the LGAL still had not received the contact information for the new worker and foster child A’s new placement address. The complainant reported that foster child A has been moved numerous times. On 10/20/2015, Velma Coleman, Oakland Family Services' Foster Care Worker, Kenesia Cheatham, Oakland Family Services' Foster Care Supervisor and Nancy Rebar, Oakland Family Services' Director were interviewed on-site. Ms. Coleman reported that foster child A entered care on 10/08/2013. Foster child A has had several placement changes due to the foster parents submitting a request to have her moved from their homes. Ms. Coleman reported that foster child A would not always follow the foster parents’ rules and would have a negative demeanor towards the foster parents. Foster child A’s most recent placement, which was made on 08/21/2015, ended due to foster parent A requesting her to be moved as a result of foster child A continuously talking back to foster parent A and not picking up after herself. Ms. Coleman reported that a FTM was scheduled on 09/24/2015 at 4:30 p.m., which was a better time for the birth mother to attend as it was her parenting time day. She reported that she contacted the LGAL and the LGAL stated that she would probably not be available because she would be in court. However, the LGAL said to call her at 4:30 p.m. to see if she was available. Ms. Coleman reported that on 09/24/2015 at approximately 4:40 p.m. she called the birth mother to find out if she was going to attend the FTM. The birth mother called back after 5:00 p.m. and informed Ms. Coleman that she was not going to attend the FTM. Ms. Coleman reported that the FTM began at 5:30 p.m. and that she called and left voicemail messages for the LGAL prior to the FTM beginning. Ms. Coleman reported that she called the LGAL again after the FTM and informed her that foster child A was being placed in a foster home through Orchards Children’s Services. Ms. Coleman reported that when she spoke with the LGAL she did not have the placement information for foster child A’s new placement nor did she have the contact information for the new worker. Ms. Coleman reported that she did not obtain this information until 09/29/2015. Ms. Coleman reported that foster child A’s placement with the Orchards

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Children’s Services’ foster home began on 09/25/2015. The new placement through Orchards Children’s Services was not a borrowed bed. Ms. Coleman reported that foster child A was placed in an Orchards Children’s Services’ foster home because there were no Oakland Family Services’ foster homes available that could meet foster child A’s needs at the time the placement was needed. A review of foster child A's case file and information for foster child A in MiSACWIS revealed the following: • •

• •

Foster child A entered foster care on 10/06/2013. Foster child A had 6 placements since entering foster care. The first placement change was to remove her from shelter care. The second placement change occurred due to the LGAL filing a motion to remove foster child A from the foster home. The third placement change occurred because there was a licensing complaint and it was decided that another foster home was needed to better meet foster child A’s needs. The fourth placement change occurred due to the foster parent requesting that she be removed from the home. The social work contact for 09/24/2015 indicated that the FTM began at 4:45 p.m. There was no documentation in the case file or in MiSACWIS as required by DHHS policy and R 400.12405 Change of placement for foster child A’s most recent change of placement.

On 12/03/2015, Ms. Coleman was contacted via telephone. Ms. Coleman was asked to verify the time that the FTM began because when she was initially interviewed she stated that the FTM began at 5:30 p.m. and the social work contact for the FTM indicates that the FTM began at 4:45 p.m. Ms. Coleman stated that the FTM began at 5:00 p.m. and that she did contact the LGAL prior to 5:00 p.m. She stated that she does not know the exact time because she called the LGAL using the agency’s telephone and she cannot go back to verify the time of the call. Ms. Coleman also reported that she did not complete the DHS 69 Foster care/juvenile justice Action Summary form, which would have verified the requirements for DHHS policy and R 400.12405 Change of placement. APPLICABLE RULE DHHS Policy Family Team Meeting. FOM 722-06 The Family Team Meeting (FTM) is an essential component of MiTEAM, Michigan’s Child Welfare Practice Model. FTMs serve as the primary forum for safety planning, collaborative service planning, service identification, and assessing progress. The FTM represents a child-centered, family-driven, strength-based, team-guided approach, designed to engage families in developing plans for the safety, permanency and well-being of their children and family.

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FTMs should include child welfare staff, parents, caretakers, foster parents, children, youth, and may also include extended family, friends, neighbors, community-based service providers, community representatives, tribal representatives, for Indian children, or other professionals involved with the family. During the FTM, participants work together to create a plan for safety, placement, and permanency tailored to the individual needs of each child. This process provides a forum to share ideas and opinions and stresses the importance of the family’s perspective and involvement. In addition, this process encourages full participation of all participants, honest communication, and promotes dignity and respect. ANALYSIS:

Ms. Coleman provided inconsistent accounts as to when the FTM for foster child A’s change of placement began. When she was initially interviewed, she stated that the FTM began at 5:30 p.m. However, the social work contact for the FTM indicates that the FTM began at 4:45 p.m. Ms. Coleman was asked again regarding the beginning time of the FTM and she stated that the FTM began at 5:00 p.m. The LGAL reported that Ms. Coleman left two voicemail messages at 5:21 p.m. and 5:22 p.m. on the day of the FTM. Based on the 4:45 p.m. beginning time of the FTM, which was documented in MiSACWIS, the LGAL was called after the FTM began excluding her from the FTM. It is not believed that the LGAL was excluded intentionally because Ms. Coleman made attempts to contact her after the FTM had started.

CONCLUSION:

VIOLATION ESTABLISHED

APPLICABLE RULE R 400.12405 Change of placement. (3) The agency shall document all of the following in the child's record before a change of placement occurs: (f) Notification to the parents, referral source, lawyer guardian ad litem, and courts when applicable, of the change in placement.

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ANALYSIS:

Ms. Coleman reported that she called the LGAL after the FTM and informed her that foster child A was being placed in a foster home through Orchards Children’s Services. Ms. Coleman reported that when she spoke with the LGAL she did not have the placement information for foster child A’s new placement nor did she have the contact information for the new worker. Ms. Coleman reported that she did not obtain this information until 09/29/2015. Foster child A’s placement in the Orchards Children’s Services’ foster home began on 09/25/2015. Consequently, the LGAL did not receive foster child A’s new placement information before the placement occurred. The agency should have obtained the new placement information prior to the placement change occurring.

CONCLUSION:

VIOLATION ESTABLISHED

ADDITIONAL FINDINGS: During the review of foster child A’s case file and MiSACWIS, it was discovered that there was no documentation to support the information needed to satisfy R 400.12405 Change of placement. INVESTIGATION: On 12/03/2015, Ms. Coleman was contacted via telephone. Ms. Coleman reported that she did not complete the DHS 69 Foster care/juvenile justice Action Summary form, which would have verified the requirements for DHHS policy and R 400.12405 Change of placement. APPLICABLE RULE R 400.12405 Change of placement. (3) The agency shall document all of the following in the child's record before a change of placement occurs: (a) Reason for the change in placement. (b) If the child is not returned to the parent, then the reason why return is not possible. (c) If the child is not reunited with siblings or placed with a relative, then the reason why those placements are not possible. (d) Consideration of the factors identified in R 400.12404(4). (e) Replacement preparation, regardless of the child's age, appropriate to the child's capacity to understand, which includes an explanation to all relevant parties as to why the change is necessary. (g) Information about the child was shared with the new

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placement, consistent with the requirements of R 400.12417. (h) The child's new location and address. (j) Supervisory approval before the change.

IV.

ANALYSIS:

Ms. Coleman reported that she did not complete the DHS 69 Foster care/juvenile justice Action Summary form, which would have verified the requirements for DHHS policy and R 400.12405 Change of placement.

CONCLUSION:

VIOLATION ESTABLISHED

RECOMMENDATION Upon receipt of an acceptable corrective action plan, it is recommended that the agency’s regular license status continue.

December 7, 2015 ________________________________________ Alicia Wiggins Date Licensing Consultant

Approved By: December 7, 2015 ________________________________________ Linda Tansil Date Area Manager

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