GEORGIA OFFICE OF REGULATORY CHILD CARE [ORCC] ON FORMER DIRECTOR DAVE STATTON

THE ORCC DOES NOT ACTUALLY THINK THIS YARN IS TOTALLY BELIEVABLE.

          Provider Watch - May 17, 2011 - Dave Statton Reduced from ORCC Force

"Dave Statton, the Director of the Office of Residential Child Care, Georgia's licensing arm for Residential Child Care, has been discharged from the Department of Human Services by reason of "Reduction of Force." Dave Statton served under former Commissioner Walker as her Chief of Staff. Since her departure and the subsequent reorganization of DHS, Statton has served as the Director of the Office of Residential Child Care."

LaMarva Ivory has been named as Interim Director.

http://www.gahsc.org/nm/2011/providerwatch20110517_Dave%20Statton_Gone_from_ORCC.html 

RIF (Reduction in Force) Laws in Georgia re: DHS/DHR employee:

http://www.odis.dhr.state.ga.us/1000_adm/1300_ohrmd/MANUAL/1905.pdf

Page IV  (Section D ) Required Notice

1. When a DHS organizational unit proposes to eliminate one (1) or NOTICE more classified positions or proposes to terminate one (1) or more classified employees through a RIF, written notice must be given to affected employees at least 30 days before the effective date. The notice must include: 1.1 The nature of the proposed action with respect to the affected employee; and, 1.2 The affected employee’s rights with respect to the proposed RIF, including:
o any right of appeal;
o other opportunities with respect to possible continued employment; .....

As stated previously, during a conference call on Thursday May 12, 2011, Mr. Satton gave no indication that he was leaving the ORCC as Director on Friday May 13, 2011.  In fact, his demeanor indicated quite the opposite, offering to 'personally' receive input from concerned parents/advocates on regulatory changes regarding CCI's and OCCP's in the coming year.  Now unless he is bi-polar, reflective of the 'official' announcement (discharged, RIF)  this does not appear to be a RIF.  Although, after dealing with the ORS, now ORCC over the years, this would be of no surprise.

Then Director Mr. Dave Statton, submitted  the ORCC Performance Report in February of 2011which does not paint a pretty portrait of the ORCC and their oversight. The amount of citations and the resulting adverse action and fines levied are reflective of the inadequacies of the ORCC and its complacency in seeking accountability of the facilities that continuously violate the ORCC regulations.  Again, if there are no consequences for the facilities in violation, why bother sending in ORCC and DFCS surveyors?  For puff and fluff? 

RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE UNIT 1. OFFICE OF RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE FY 2011 PERFORMANCE REPORT.
Submitted by: David V. Statton, Director. February 16, 2011. 2. ...
dhs.georgia.gov/DHR/DHR_CommonFiles/RCC_Performance_Report.ppt                                                                                              
http://search1.georgia.gov/search?ie=&site=dhr&output=xml_no_dtd&client=georgia&lr=&proxystylesheet=georgia&oe=&restrict=dhr&fpViewPage=Search+Results&fpStatus=live&fpDocCount=&q=FY+2011

The administrative staffing of these Georgia agencies offer a rampant antiquated mentality of recycled staff with a lack luster vision other than containment and the more than apparent enabling of facilities that harm our children.  Those of whom appear to bask in the glory of authority have forgotten their mission is to protect the children. And why not?  There is no accountability for them either.

"Our hands are tied."  Tell that to the recycled faces and blank, emotionless eyes of Special Needs children that the ORCC allows to be comingled with violent, adjudicated youths in these so called CCI's.  "Our regulations for CCI's do not require the children be separated."

Prisons even separate violent offenders.

Go ahead, pat yourselves on the back.

Good luck Mr. Statton.  RIF indeed.  The children should be so fortunate.

And that's my take.