Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 4K views

    OIG Report: Sarah Brasse

    Uploaded by

    KENS 5
    This document summarizes an investigation by the Office of Inspector General into allegations that Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers did not follow proper procedures in a case involving the death of an 8-year-old child from appendicitis. The investigation found that a former CPS Family-Based Safety Services specialist, two CPS investigators, and a CPS kinship specialist failed to comply with required policies and procedures in their casework related to the deceased child's family. Specifically, they failed to properly document case activities, notify parents and collateral contacts, and follow up on reports of possible neglect or abuse. However, the investigation found no evidence that any policy violations caused the child's death from appendicitis. The case

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    OIG Report: Sarah Brasse

    Uploaded by

    KENS 5
    4K views2 pages
    This document summarizes an investigation by the Office of Inspector General into allegations that Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers did not follow proper procedures in a case involving the death of an 8-year-old child from appendicitis. The investigation found that a former CPS Family-Based Safety Services specialist, two CPS investigators, and a CPS kinship specialist failed to comply with required policies and procedures in their casework related to the deceased child's family. Specifically, they failed to properly document case activities, notify parents and collateral contacts, and follow up on reports of possible neglect or abuse. However, the investigation found no evidence that any policy violations caused the child's death from appendicitis. The case

    Original Description:

    OIG Report: Sarah Brasse

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    This document summarizes an investigation by the Office of Inspector General into allegations that Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers did not follow proper procedures in a case involving the death of an 8-year-old child from appendicitis. The investigation found that a former CPS Family-Based Safety Services specialist, two CPS investigators, and a CPS kinship specialist failed to comply with required policies and procedures in their casework related to the deceased child's family. Specifically, they failed to properly document case activities, notify parents and collateral contacts, and follow up on reports of possible neglect or abuse. However, the investigation found no evidence that any policy violations caused the child's death from appendicitis. The case

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    4K views2 pages

    OIG Report: Sarah Brasse

    Uploaded by

    KENS 5
    This document summarizes an investigation by the Office of Inspector General into allegations that Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers did not follow proper procedures in a case involving the death of an 8-year-old child from appendicitis. The investigation found that a former CPS Family-Based Safety Services specialist, two CPS investigators, and a CPS kinship specialist failed to comply with required policies and procedures in their casework related to the deceased child's family. Specifically, they failed to properly document case activities, notify parents and collateral contacts, and follow up on reports of possible neglect or abuse. However, the investigation found no evidence that any policy violations caused the child's death from appendicitis. The case

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

    fxAs FIt ALE II & Fit \IA SLR\ RI S CO\IulSsIO\


    FINAL REPORT
    Date: October 9. 2014
    OIG Case: 13310-14
    Investigation Category: HHS Human Resources Manual. Chapter 4. Employee Misconduct. Vork Rules
    (l)(2)(28): Department of Family and Protecwe Services. Child Protective Services Handbook. sections 2345.
    2364.2377.2397,3111.3324,3329.34l1, 3419
    Allegation: On March 12. 2014. this investigation was initiated by the Office of Inspector General alleging
    Child Protective Services ((PS) did not follow established procedures in the child death case of an S-yearold
    Bexar County child who died of appendicitis. The child and family had prior (PS history under Department of
    Family and Protective Services (DFPS) cases 38704081 and 29922909. The Schertz Police Department
    investigated the death under case 2009-05731. During the course of this investigation, it was reported that
    IMPACT documentation entered by caseworkers may have been altered. In addition. a former CPS Family
    Based Safety Services (FBSS) Specialist, two (PS Investigators, and a (PS Kinship Specialist Ill were alleged
    to have not complied with FIHS Human Resources and CPS Handbook policies during their casework inolving
    the deceased childs family. Further allegations were rna(le that a (PS Program Director, and a former (PS
    Program Director, did not comply with established (PS Handbook policies during the referral process involving
    the child. The Internal Afihirs Division conducted an investigation during thc period of March 12. 2014. to
    September 30, 2014.
    Summary of Activities: [here was no evidence to support the allegation that the (PS Program I)irector or
    former (PS Program Director did not comply with established (PS Handbook policies in their handling of the
    famil referral and documentation process. There was no evidence to indicate that any policy violations were to
    blame for the appendicitis shich is the listed cause oidcath. The allegation that a former (PS Family Based
    Safety Services Specialist, a (PS Kinship Specialist IlL and two (PS Investigators did not comply with HHS
    Human Resources policies and (PS Handbook policies is substantiated and based on the following:
    The Program Director and former Program Director fbllo\ed established (PS Handbook policy in
    sections 21 51. 21 52. 2 154. 2155, 2156. and 21 56.1 regarding Statewide Intake referrals involving the
    childs family on March 3. 2(109. The fbrmer Program Director followed established CPS Handbook
    policy in sections 1433 and 1481 when she requested a (PS Investigator make corrections to
    documentation into IMPACT. When the changes were not made as directed by the fdrmer Program
    Director, she made the corrections herself and the case was submitted for closure.
    Interview of the former (PS FBSS Specialist. DFPS. ihe FBSS Specialist said she did not provide a
    timely service plan in her casework involving the deceased child. The FBSS Specialist said she failed to
    contact and inform the biological mother of DFPS case 29922909. which involved medical neglect
    involving her three children. The FBSS Specialist said she failed to tollow up with professional
    Reviewed By:
    ________
    Date:
    01G0002 (06/01/201 3)
    OlGCase: 13310-14 Pagelof2
    OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
    rExAs Hr.i.nt & lit %IA\ SItRvrFs (OSNISSK)N
    FINAL REPORT
    collateral sources to gauge the success of services in DFPS case 29922909, and failed to conduct visual
    contact with the children in September 2008. and January 2009. The FBSS Specialist said she failed to
    conduct a home assessment, which would have made her aware of provisions tbr the children and the
    conditions in which they lived, and did not document in IMPACT within thc required timelines specified
    in CPS Handbook policy The FBSS Specialists statement was corroborated by a review of IMPACT
    records.
    Interview of a CPS Investigator. DFPS. on April 30.2014. The CPS Investigator said she did not
    contact the reporter of DFPS ease 29922909. the Supervision Monitor for Kid Share Family Services, as
    required per (PS Handbook Section 2345. The CPS Investigator said the Supervision Monitor alleged
    possible neglectful supervision and sexual abuse of three of the children. including the deceased child.
    The CPS Investigators statement was corroborated by a review of IMPACT records.
    Interview of a (PS Investigator. DFPS. on April 30, 2014. The CPS Investigator said she fiuiled to
    notit!,
    the biological mother of DFPS ease 29922909. which involved her children, as required per CPS
    Handbook Section 2364. The CPS lnvestigators statement was corroborated by a review of IMPACT
    records.
    Interview of the CPS Kinship Specialist ill. DIPS. The CPS Kinship Specialist Ill said he failed to
    contact a Laurel Ridge Hospital physician. as required per CPS Handbook Section 2397. The Laurel
    Ridge Physician had reported one child appeared undernourished. The CPS Kiumhip Specialist III said he
    also failed to respond to an outcry the children made that they were always hungry and not fed. The CPS
    Kinship Specialist Ills statement was corroborated by a of IMPACT records.
    Interview of the biological mother of the deceased child and two sons. The biological mother said she
    was not contacted by an FBSS Specialist to inform her that her children were seen as part of a CPS
    investigation, and that she was never contacted by an FBSS Specialist as a collateral source during the
    open FBSS case.
    Interviews of the Watts Elementary School nurse. counselor, and vice principal, and the Jordan Middle
    School counselor. School employees are mandatory reports as specified in the Texas Family Code, Title
    5. Subtitle E. Subchapter A, Subchapter B. Report Section 261.101. All interviewees said they reported
    that during the 2008-2009 school year they had concerns regarding the deceased child and her brothers.
    During the interviews, all independently said they were not informed of an open CPS case involving the
    children, and were not contacted by any caseworker regarding their observations and subsequent
    concerns for the children.
    Actions Taken: Referred to Cynthia OKeeffe. General Counsel. I)epartment of Family and Protectite
    Services, Austin Texas.
    RremdBy
    0IG0002 (0610112013)
    OlGCase: 13310-14 Page2of2

    You might also like