STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BUREAU OF CHILDREN AND ADULT LICENSING JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM ISMAEL AHMED GOVERNOR DIRECTOR February 21, 2010 William Blacquiere Bethany Christian Services Inc 901 Eastern Avenue, NE Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0294 RE: License #: CB410200976 Investigation #: 2010C0110023 Bethany Christian Services Inc Dear Mr. Blacquiere: 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 feel free to contact me with any questions or if you desire technical assistance in addressing these issues. In the event that I am not available and you need to speak to someone immediately, please feel free to contact Deborah Clark, Area Manager, at (906) 228-2852. Sincerely, Steve Ragsdale, Licensing Consultant Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing Unit 13, 7th Floor 350 Ottawa, N.W. Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 356-0127 P.O. BOX 30650 • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909-8150 www.michigan.gov • (517) 335-6124 MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BUREAU OF CHILDREN AND ADULT LICENSING SPECIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT I. IDENTIFYING INFORMATION License #: CB410200976 Investigation #: 2010C0110023 Complaint Receipt Date: 02/03/2010 Investigation Initiation Date: 02/03/2010 Report Due Date: 04/04/2010 Licensee Name: Bethany Christian Services Inc Licensee Address: 901 Eastern Av NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Licensee Telephone #: (616) 224-7610 Administrator: William Blacquiere, Administrator Licensee Designee: William Blacquiere, Designee Name of Facility: Bethany Christian Services Inc Facility Address: 901 Eastern Avenue, NE Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0294 Facility Telephone #: (616) 459-6273 Original Issuance Date: 10/01/1994 License Status: REGULAR Effective Date: 09/29/2008 Expiration Date: 09/28/2010 Capacity: Unknown Program Type: CHILD PLACING AGENCY, PRIVATE 1 II. ALLEGATION A complaint was received that a foster child's parents were court ordered to only have supervised visitation with their daughter. When they visited their daughter, the visit was not continually supervised by Caseworker 1. After the visit, it was found that the child had a dislocated elbow. III. METHODOLOGY 02/03/2010 Special Investigation Intake - 2010C0110023 Special Investigation Initiated - Telephone documents received from Kent DHS by Fax Contact - Face to Face - Interview Caseworker 1 , File Review ALLEGATION: A complaint was received that a foster child's parents were court ordered to only have supervised visitation with their daughter. When they visited their daughter, the visit was not continually supervised by Caseworker 1. After the visit, it was found that the child had a dislocated elbow. INVESTIGATION: Caseworker 1 stated that she was very busy and attempted to supervise two visits that were occurring at the same time. No one else was available to assist her. She created two windows on her computer screen to video monitor both visits. She alternated audio monitoring. She also did paperwork. Near the end of the visit, the mother of Child A left the visitation room to make a phone call. As this is against posted visitation rules, Caseworker 1 left her computer and went to redirect the mother. No one was monitoring the father who remained in the room with Child A. At the end of the visit, Child A was crying and Foster Mother 1 noticed that Child A was not moving her arm. Foster Mother 1 took Child A to the emergency room where it was determined that Child A had a dislocated elbow. The video of visitations is live feed and is not recorded. Caseworker 1 acknowledged that she is unable to say when the injury occurred or who caused it. The 10/29/2009 17th Judicial Circuit Court order specifies that visitation of Child A shall be supervised. APPLICABLE RULE R 400.12206 Staff qualifications (1) An agency shall require a staff member who has ongoing contact with children or parents to be a person who is of good character and emotionally stable and who has the ability, experience, education, and training to perform the duties assigned. 2 ANALYSIS: Because Caseworker 1 attempted to multitask, good supervision was not provided and Child A was injured. Caseworker 1 demonstrated a lack of ability. CONCLUSION: VIOLATION ESTABLISHED APPLICABLE RULE R 400.12205 Required staff. (7) An agency shall employ or contract for a sufficient number of competent staff to carry out the provisions covered by these rules. IV. ANALYSIS: Caseworker 1 reported that another staff was not available to monitor the second visit. CONCLUSION: VIOLATION ESTABLISHED RECOMMENDATION With an acceptable corrective action plan, it is recommended that no change be made to the license of this Child Placing Agency. 02/09/2010 Steve Ragsdale Licensing Consultant Date Approved By: 0217/10 Deborah Clark Area Manager Date 3