O'Keefe Sting: Job & Family Services Response

After watching last week's Project Veritas sting video, I contacted officials in Franklin County, Marion County, and Madison County for details. Though I haven't heard back from Marion or Madison County, here's the response (in bold) from a Franklin County Department of Job & Family Services spokesman:

Does the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services have a policy regarding the reporting of admitted felonies?

FCDJFS must abide by confidentiality laws for the federal and state programs administered. Since the application was for Medicaid, the Medicaid federal regulations 42 CFR § 431.300, 42 CFR § 431.302, 42 CFR § 431.305, 42 CFR § 431.306 and 42 CFR § 435.945 are the guideline on releasing information about applicants or recipients.

Did Traci Daniels report her conversation with the purported drug smugglers to a supervisor, the Sheriff's Department, or CPD?

Yes.

If so, to whom did she report the conversation in question, and what measures were taken in response?

She reported this to her supervisor. The supervisor reviewed the situation and tried to gather additional information to take further action and follow up, but there was no address or telephone number provided for contact of this fictitious individual.

What measures have been taken or will be taken as a result of the video posted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szhFgyl589w ?

Franklin County Job and Family Services has interviewed all individuals highlighted in the video to garner an understanding of the entire incident. As a result of the interviews, we have recommended discipline for two individuals.

We are interviewing all front door staff and eligibility screeners to insure a consistent practice and process. Following that, we will also interview all Medicaid staff, including supervisors, regarding practices and processes. These interviews will aid in a gap analysis and help identify areas of weakness. From theses findings, we will revamp our training in this area to strengthen understanding of the allowable activities. All staff will be required to attend the revamped training. Our interviews began July 22, 2011.

If an official response has already been published, could you provide me with a copy or let me know where to find one?

None has been published.

Today The Columbus Dispatch reported the suspension of both Traci Daniels and her supervisor. This follows last week's report that Job & Family Services workers throughout the state will receive training in response to the O'Keefe video. So long as the training focuses on not assisting professed criminals, it should be a worthwhile exercise!

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Cross-posted at that hero.