1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25 | Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Melchisedeck Augustin conducted a Case Management - Legal/Non-Compliance visit to the facility and met with Center Director, Donje Fields (CD). On 02/12/21, the facility attended an Informal Conference with the Department to discuss concerns relating to prior substantiated complaints and compliance with CCL/local public health COVID guidelines. On 12/21/21, the facility attended a Non-Compliance Conference (NCC) with the Department to discuss multiple citations which were issued for four separate complaint investigations that resulted in substantiated findings. The concerns discussed were related to a type A violation and $1000 civil penalty for repeat immediate civil penalty of the same violation within a 12-month period. The issue focused on lack of care and supervision resulting in a consist pattern of children sustaining injuries, lack of staffing which prevented staff from consistently checking children's diapers, facility not maintaining the required staffing ratios, the facility allowing unqualified staff to supervise more children than permitted, and not notifying parents of unusual incidents.
The Department previously referred the facility to the Technical Support Program (TSP) which is a non-enforcement program that consists of on-site consultation visits and during the NCC and at that time, the facility voluntarily agreed to participate in TSP to receive additional training, resources, and address concerns in areas discussed in the NCC.
During today’s visit, the facility was toured inside and outside, and staffing ratios were being met. There were 48 children being supervised by 6 teachers and the facility was operating within the licensed capacity. CD claimed since the facility attended the NCC, she hired additional qualified staff to accommodate the children's needs, address staffing shortage and lack of supervision, and unqualified staff were either enrolled in or attending a CDA program. CD claimed the facility produced more curriculum for each class to keep the children engaged, staff redirected children, the facility consulted with inclusions services, in an effort to reduce or prevent challenging behavior(s) such as biting and/or hitting, as well as notified parent(s) of all unusual incident(s); and provide parents with a written incident report. (Continue to LIC 809-C) |