VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Growing Tree School
197 Patmos Road
Woodstock, VA 22664
(540) 459-3443

Current Inspector: Julie Kunowsky (540) 430-9256

Inspection Date: Nov. 18, 2020 and Nov. 23, 2020

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION. 22VAC40-185 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING. 22VAC40-185 PHYSICAL PLANT. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 22VAC40-185 PROGRAMS. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL CARE PROVISIONS AND EMERGENCIES. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL SERVICES. 22VAC40-80 THE LICENSE. 22VAC40-80 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks (22VAC40-191) 63.2(17) License & Registration Procedures 63.2 Facilities & Programs.

Comments:

This inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternate remote protocol, necessary due to a state of emergency health pandemic declared by the Governor of Virginia. A monitoring inspection was initiated on November 18, 2020 and concluded on November 23, 2020. The director was contacted by telephone to initiate the inspection. There were nine children present and one staff. The inspector emailed the director a list of items required to complete the inspection. The Inspector reviewed two children?s records and staff records submitted by the facility to ensure documentation was complete. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance(s) with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the facility. The Licensing Inspector has reviewed with the provider COVID-19 Essential Guidance for Child Care programs.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-191-60-B
Description:	Based on a review of staff records, and an interview with administrative staff, the school failed to ensure that staff do not begin employment without completing a sworn statement or affirmation. Evidence: Staff member 1 had a recorded hire date of October 1, 2020, completed orientation on October 5, 2020 and began work with children on October 8, 2020. The completed sworn disclosure statement or affirmation form was signed and dated on October 13, 2020.
Plan of Correction:	The director will always have new staff immediately sign a sworn disclosure statement for the director to view as the decision to hire staff is made. The sworn disclosure statement will be viewed and filed before new employees begin assigned tasks and orientation training.
Standard #:	22VAC40-191-60-C-2
Description:	Based on a review of staff records, and aStaff men interview with administrative staff, the program failed to obtain the results from a search of the Virginia Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect within thirty days of employment for all new staff. Evidence: Staff member 1 had a recorded hire date of October 1, 2020, completed orientation on October 5, 2020 and began work with children on October 8, 2020. A finding of the search of the Virginia Central Registry was not in the staff file. Administrative staff did not have documentation of mailing a request form other than a check written on October 5, 2020. The administrative staff indicated there was not an effort to track the receipt of the central registry finding and an effort to contact the agency when the required background check was not obtained within thirty days. After the inspection on November 18, 2020, the agency in Richmond was contacted and there was not any record that the request for staff member 1 was received and a central registry search completed. .
Plan of Correction:	The director arranged for staff member 1 to complete a request form and the request was mailed to the agency in Richmond on November 21, 2020. A copy of the request form and the date will be shared with the licensing inspector and kept in the staff file. The director will begin using a tracking system for ensuring that central registry findings are received, viewed and filed within thirty days or the agency in Richmond will be contacted about the status of the request. Once the finding for staff member 1 is received by email, it will be shared with the licensing inspector. The finding will be viewed, printed and maintained in the staff file. The director will use a system for tracking background checks that are requested and contact the agency in Richmond when the Virginia Central Registry finding is not received within thirty days of employment.