VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Rhonda Holland-Hayes
667 Cameron Street
Franklin, VA 23851
(757) 653-7923

Current Inspector: Melinda Popkin (757) 802-5281

Inspection Date: April 2, 2024

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22.1 Background Checks Code 63.2 Child abuse and neglect 8VAC20-790 Introduction 8VAC20-790 Administration 8VAC20-790 General Qualifications 8VAC20-790 Building or Home Maintenance 8VAC20-790 Supervision and Ratio Requirements 8VAC20-790 Programs 8VAC20-790 Special Care Provisions & Emergencies 8VAC20-790 Special Services

Technical Assistance:

Today we discussed proper and safe techniques for lifting children and ways to best avoid very common unintended injuries such a Nurse's Elbow. Please ensure that you let your inspector know when your program will be closed during your regularly scheduled hours of operation. Since inspections are conducted unannounced, it is very helpful to know in advance when the provider will not be available or caring for children.

Comments:

A subsidy health and safety inspection was initiated and concluded on 4/2/2024. from 4:00 pm to 5:15 pm. There was 1 child present with the vendor supervising. The sample size consisted of 3 previously reviewed children?s records checked for updates, as needed. Two Vendor / Caregiver records were also reviewed for required updates. There were no new children enrolled or caregivers hired since the last inspection. The child in care was observed returning to the home from an outing with the vendor, playing with toys and toddling around the living space interacting with the vendor. Requirements for transporting children were discussed, to include the use of safety belts and child restraints, a list of children being transported as well as each child's emergency contact information and health information for children such as an allergy care plan, if applicable. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program. Repeat violations were found and are identified within this report.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-790-180-B
Description:	Based on a review of records and interview, the vendor was unable to demonstrate that a written hard copy record of daily attendance that documented the arrival and departure of each child in care as it occurred is maintained. Evidence: When asked to view the attendance sheets for the current week, the vendor was unable to produce them.
Plan of Correction:	The vendor will document attendance and intends to begin storing this documentation on a clipboard or otherwise collect them and store them visibly where they may be quickly and easily consulted and/or may be easily spotted by first responders in the case of an emergency.
Standard #:	8VAC20-790-250-F
Description:	Based on a review of records and interview, the vendor was unable to demonstrate that Caregivers who work directly with children annually attend at least 16 hours of training, to include the department's health and safety update course. Evidence: The vendor?s file contained three hours of documented training for 2023. The record for the vendor?s assistant contained no annual training documentation for the year of 2023. Caregivers are required to obtain a total of 16 hours annually. When asked if additional training documentation was available the provider stated that she did not have additional documentation of training for 2023 but has begun taking training for the current year (2024).
Plan of Correction:	The vendor has begun completing annual training for the current year and will ensure that both providers obtain a minimum of 16 hours within the current 12 month period.
Standard #:	8VAC20-790-260-D
Description:	Based on observation the vendor did not ensure that Sharp kitchen utensils and other sharp objects are inaccessible to children unless being used by the caregiver or with children under close supervision. Evidence: There were 2 sharp knives and a pair of sharp scissors located in an unsecured drawer at the entry to the kitchen which is open to the living space where a toddler was in care.
Plan of Correction:	The vendor sated that she would install a child safety latch on the drawer to ensure that children in care cannot access its contents.
Standard #:	8VAC20-790-270-A
Description:	Based on observation and interview, the Vendor did not ensure that potentially poisonous substances, materials and supplies such as, but not limited to, cleaning agents, disinfectants, deodorizers, plant care chemicals, pesticides, and petroleum distillates are stored in areas inaccessible to children. Evidence: The licensing inspector observed a bottle of cleaner with bleach, a bottle of peroxide and 2 bottle of Mouthwash on a cart next to the bathroom sink in the restroom that children use while in care. A gallon sized bottle of Fabulosa cleaner was sitting on the floor in the unlocked back bedroom where children?s toys and supplies are located. Each pf these items contained warnings to "keep out of reach of children" as well as additional warnings regarding potential poisoning or health risks. The Vendor confirmed that these items were stored in areas that were accessible to children, but stated that she does not let children go to the restroom unattended or unsupervised and was not using the unsecured back bedroom at the time of inspection.
Plan of Correction:	The vendor stated that these items will be relocated, today, to an area where children can not access them during hours when children are in care.
Standard #:	8VAC20-790-400-H
Description:	***REPEAT VIOLATION*** Based on observation and interview, the vendor did not ensure that medications are kept in a locked place, using a safe locking method that prevents access by children. Evidence: There were several medications, to include an antacid and an anti-gas liquid, located on a cart next to the kitchen table at a height of about 3 feet. The kitchen was open to the living space where a toddler was in care. The vendor acknowledged that even though the height of the shelf was a deterrent to the toddler in care, the medications were not locked.
Plan of Correction:	The vendor stated that she will move these medications to a locked location today and ensure that the location remains locked during hours that children are in care.
Standard #:	8VAC20-790-430-B
Description:	***REPEAT VIOLATION*** Based on a review of documentation and interview, the vendor did not maintain a record of the dates of the emergency drills practiced. When asked to review the emergency drill log for the past 12 months, the vendor provided a drill log that listed 2 shelter in placed drills and 1 lockdown drill for the 2023 calendar year. The emergency drill log for the current calendar year only listed one evacuation drill in April.
Plan of Correction:	The vendor will begin practicing and documenting evacuation drills monthly, at least to the of exit from the home when she feels that the weather is too cold for the infant in care to go outdoors. Shelter in place drills will be practiced and documented at least twice each year and Lock down drills at least once during the year. Documentation of the drills will be maintained in a manner that they can be easily located beginning this month.