VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

New River Community Action- Pulaski
1520 Bobwhite Blvd.
Pulaski, VA 24301
(540) 994-5740

Current Inspector: Todd Scott (276) 608-3749

Inspection Date: March 24, 2022

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Physical Plant. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-780 Special Care Provisions and Emergencies. 8VAC20-780 Special Services. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks (8VAC20-770) 22.1 Background Checks Code, Carbon Monoxide

Comments:

4-25-22 Arrived 10:55am departed 11:25am. An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on site today. Forty-two children were present with seven staff and the site administrator. The children were playing outdoors, listening to stories in circle time, washing their hands and eating lunch. Areas reviewed include staffing and supervision, physical plant, medication and nutrition. Five children's files were reviewed virtually on 4-8-22 and four staff files were reviewed virtually on 3-24-22. Thank you for your cooperation. Please contact me if I may be of service.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-A
Description:	Based on a review of staff files and interviews with staff, the center failed to ensure that staff hired did not have a disqualifying background. Evidence: 1. Staff #1 was hired 11-29-2021 as a center aide in a classroom with preschool children. On March 23, 2022, the center received a letter from the Office of Background Investigations (OBI) that staff #1 had a founded disposition of child abuse or neglect within the Commonwealth. Staff #1 had been working regularly at the center in a classroom with children since 11-29-2021. 2. Staff #2 reported that the central registry check was sent 11-10-2021. Staff #2 stated that no one followed up on the lack of results of the central registry check when it was not received from OBI within 30 days after sending it. 3. A founded disposition of child abuse or neglect is a disqualifying result for a background check to work at a licensed child day center.
Plan of Correction:	The staff member was terminated immediately. We have moved to an online monitoring system for background checks. The HR manager has a 25 day reminder in an online calendar for a follow up with the Office of Background Investigations. All new staff will be required to wear an 'employee in training' badge, which indicates that they are not allowed to be alone with children until all background checks are received and the employee has completed their 29 day review. All administrative staff have been retrained on the background check process. When the background checks are received, the new staff member's supervisor is notified by the HR manager. An Intensive Plan of Correction will be required for this violation.
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-50-A-1-a
Description:	Based on a review of staff records, the center failed to ensure that a Sworn Statement was satisfactorily completed. Evidence:. 1. The Sworn Statement viewed for staff #1 was not complete. The first question on the form related to disclosing any criminal convictions inside the Commonwealth was left blank with no explanation. This is a required field to answer to constitute a complete Sworn Statement. 2.The Sworn Statement for staff #1 was not completed accurately. Staff #1 answered "NO" on question number three on the Sworn Statement form asking "Have you ever been the subject of a founded complaint of child abuse or neglect within the Commonwealth of Virginia?" Based on the results of the central registry, this answer was not accurate.
Plan of Correction:	The director of administration will review all forms, including background check forms, prior to any offer of hire. An Intensive Plan of Correction will be required for this violation.