Audit: North Dakota agency failed to do timely checkups on suspected child abuse victims

BISMARCK — The North Dakota Division of Human Companies has routinely didn’t carry out well timed checkups on suspected victims of kid abuse and neglect, in accordance with an audit printed Tuesday, Aug. 16. It is the third time in six years the company has been flagged for the problem.

The report launched by State Auditor Josh Gallion reveals the company has not adopted its personal coverage to make immediate face-to-face contact with youngsters suspected to be abused or uncared for.

The division’s coverage dictates social providers staff, regulation enforcement, court docket employees or medical personnel are supposed to satisfy with youngsters who might have been abused. The required response time for these conferences varies from 1-14 days relying on the severity of the suspected mistreatment.

Of the 60 instances reviewed by auditors, DHS didn’t verify in with greater than two-thirds of the kids on time.

“The kinds of instances (reviewed by auditors) included bodily accidents reminiscent of welts or cuts, academic neglect, unlawful substances used throughout being pregnant or in entrance of youngsters, youngsters who’re suicidal, and sexual abuse,” in accordance with the audit.

In probably the most extreme instances the place officers ought to have met with youngsters inside 24 hours, the company averaged a 13-day response time.

Gallion’s workplace really helpful within the audit that the division ensures extra well timed conferences with suspected little one abuse victims. Gallion declined to additional touch upon the audit when contacted by Discussion board Information Service, saying he would reply questions at a Wednesday press convention.

Public audits in 2017 and 2019

revealed the identical situation at DHS.

The Division of Human Companies agreed with Gallion’s advice and mentioned “excessive employees turnover” is accountable for the problem, in accordance with the audit.

“The Division is attending to as many instances because the employees are capable of handle. The employees work the instances so as of severity,” mentioned the company’s response.

DHS mentioned it plans to ask state lawmakers subsequent yr for extra full-time staff to higher handle the case load.

Neither DHS Director Chris Jones nor a spokesman for Gov. Doug Burgum instantly responded to a request for remark.

The audit additionally discovered that the Division of Human Companies:

• Incorrectly paid for about $1 million in providers by way of a state dependancy remedy program that

  ran out of cash in 2020.

  The funds may have been coated by Medicaid, in accordance with auditors. DHS agreed with the discovering and mentioned it has employed a brand new worker to deal with the problem.

• Underpaid staff on the State Hospital and Life Abilities and Transition Middle by a complete of $132,000. DHS disagreed with auditors that the staff have been underpaid.
• Doled out $157,000 in bonuses to staff who weren’t eligible to obtain them. DHS mentioned the bonuses have been justified for workers that spent additional time caring for sufferers in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn the total audit report right here: