ASCI In The Media

A Second Chance, Inc. Response to

Jim Parsons’ Investigative Report

 

A Second Chance, Inc. (ASCI) has reason to believe that a former disgruntled employee, who was not promoted to an executive level position, has retaliated by launching unsubstantiated claims against the leadership of ASCI and providing confidential, protected information in violation of the law.  As a result, ASCI has come under attack by WTAE News Investigative Reporter Jim Parsons.  Mr. Parsons aired a report on December 2, 2010 regarding ASCI that, unfortunately, contained misleading and incomplete information.  We would like to present the facts.


What Mr. Parsons failed to report is that ASCI, a community-based African American organization, has safely and successfully served over 10,000 children placed in kinship care during its 16.5 years in business, and is deemed a national model in kinship care, ASCI is an organization that prides itself on its moral imperative to hire qualified, professional staff regardless of race, relationship, religion, or disability, and only after thorough background checks are completed in accordance with DPW regulations. Mr. Parsons’ distorted claims are unbalanced and lack factual and/or complete information.


Because of who we are and who we serve, ASCI has undergone at least six audits in one year (2009-2010), both fiscal and programmatic. All audits found ASCI to be in compliance both fiscally and programmatically.   Mr. Parsons’ report indicated that ASCI agreed to return $36,000 of its revenues to the County, but did not report that this amount was less than 1/3 of 1% of the total revenues received by ASCI for the year.  He also did not point out that the audit praised ASCI for its overall effectiveness.


Mr. Parsons also did not report on the extensive experience and qualifications of ASCI’s, President and CEO, Dr. Sharon McDaniel, whose biography can be viewed on the agency’s website at www.asecondchance-kinship.com.  Dr. McDaniel was the only person in Allegheny County to answer the call to found a kinship care agency in 1994 after dozens of constitutional lawsuits mandated public child welfare agencies to institute kinship care programs.  Since that time, ASCI has developed the unique expertise in kinship care that has been praised by national and international analysts.


Mr. Parsons’ story also failed to mention that ASCI has been providing its kinship foster care services at a cost over 20% less than all other private foster care providers, which has resulted in a savings to taxpayers of over $50 million and is undoubtably a reason why other providers have not ventured into the kinship care area.


Dr. McDaniel stated: "I have been involved in child welfare since I was three years old. This barrage of claims against the organization by those that have attempted to malign the organization has only made us stronger and more accountable as an organization.


“When it comes to hiring, ASCI makes no apologies for not promoting individuals that were more concerned about their personal ambition, rather than the safety and well-being of our children. Our children deserve our best, and most of the individuals that have leadership positions at ASCI have been with the organization, on average, for over 10 years. These are individuals who have made caring for children their drive over all other ambitions. As high level human service professionals, A Second Chance, Inc staff members provide their best assessments of families and offer quality services thereafter. While the agency cannot predict all outcomes, ASCI staff members are relentless when it comes to making the safety, protection and support of the children and families they serve a top priority.”


Dr. McDaniel further stated: "As an African American provider in this industry, we have undergone more scrutiny in my 16.5 years of service as a provider and have complied with the same. ASCI has operated at a lower daily rate than other organizations for these same 16.5 years, saving Allegheny County taxpayers over $50 million to date.  The organization has successfully done so because of its compelling mission and desire to make children in kinship care better. In this environment, you are reminded who you are daily (African American) and I accept this fact and work through it, in order to live out God's purpose for my life."


Mr. Parsons also failed to report that ASCI employs some 175 people in the community.  He indicated that he intends to report that 6 of these people, or about 3%, are related to Dr. McDaniel.  It is hoped that he will accurately report on the extensive qualifications and dedication to service of these individuals.


He also stated he will report that Dr. McDaniel’s husband owns a for-profit security firm that guards ASCI’s facilities.  The facts are that this firm was awarded a contract after a review by ASCI’s independent Board of Directors when three previous security guard firms failed to meet the agency’s expectations for safety and security.


ASCI is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that meets regularly, has a very transparent relationship with the CEO, approves policies and expenses, and addresses any conflict of interest issues. More importantly, the organization operates with the highest level of integrity, despite the intended inferences that Parsons is attempting to imply in his report.


ASCI maintained a professional relationship with Jim Parsons as he was preparing for his story. The agency honestly answered every question that Mr. Parsons asked. Further, ASCI invited Mr. Parsons to meet with the organization in July 2009 and he declined.


ASCI will continue to provide "high level" quality services and will continue to be a champion for vulnerable children.  Accordingly, ASCI will not comment on any individual cases affecting the families it serves, as its actions are closely monitored by county and state regulatory agencies.  However, in the cases cited by Mr. Parsons in his report, ASCI has verified that it acted appropriately to ensure the safety and well-being of the children involved.

 

ASCI appreciates the pressure on the media and Mr. Parsons to produce sensationalized” stories to compete in the marketplace.  However, sometimes, as in this case, the zeal to accomplish this can result in inaccurate or misleading reporting that may negatively impact important and effective services to the public.
 

ASCI remains committed to protecting
the privacy of children and their families.

In recent months, WTAE’s investigative reporter, Jim Parsons, has questioned A Second Chance, Inc. concerning incident reports.  Here at ASCI, the safety of our children is a top priority.  In response to Mr. Parsons’ inquiries, we have checked our internal records and determined that all proper procedures were followed and all regulations were complied with at the time the incidents occurred. While we understand the media’s curiosity about these reports, ASCI is prohibited in discussing specific cases.

Any child allegedly abused in foster care is investigated by the Department of Public Welfare, not ASCI. Thus, the Department of Public Welfare renders its findings following its rigorous protocol.

ASCI is required to report ALL allegations of abuse as a mandated reporter.  These allegations are reported to the State through a confidential, electronic system. The reporting of such allegations does not conclude that the allegations reported are factual findings.  The unauthorized access or use of information contained on the site is prohibited by Federal law, P.L. 99-474, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. This law is designed to protect the security and confidentiality of the children. Only child welfare agencies and providers are permitted access.

“Kinship Care is and remains the safest form of out-of-home care.”

In 16.5 years of operations, as indicated by National Data, Kinship Care is and remains the safest form of out-of-home care. A Second Chance, Inc. has experienced less than a .002 percent recidivism rate. It is this finding that constitutes the County and the State's continued confidence in ASCI as a provider. We have always maintained a full license from the Department of Public Welfare, as well as a full contract with the Allegheny County Children Youth and Families.

Moreover, because of who we are and who we serve, we constantly undergo rigorous scrutiny from compliance auditors. Thus, all audits have supported our work and internal processes.

Because we cannot predict human behavior, we can only provide the best assessment strategies and employ the appropriate services from there. We acknowledge that we don't have a crystal ball and are subject to the vulnerabilities of any and all child serving systems (ACCYF, Mental Health, CHOP, etc). As such, we stand by our practices and we work hard each day for continuous quality improvement.

“Every child touched by ASCI has a right to be safe and must thrive.”

Finally, we take pride in being a leader in Kinship Care across our great nation and we are honored to have such a dedicated and professional staff to support us each day, here on the ground, in our effort to ensure that: Every child touched by ASCI has a right to be safe and must thrive.

A Second Chance, Inc. will continue its commitment to ensuring that ALL information remains confidential.  We are cognizant that although there may be public curiosity from those who do not live in our neighborhoods…this is where our families and children live, work, and play.
 
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