VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The Children's Center- Executive Court
300 Executive Court
Suffolk, VA 23434
(757) 538-2523

Current Inspector: Melinda Popkin (757) 802-5281

Inspection Date: Nov. 30, 2023

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 Administration. 8VAC20-780 Staff Qualifications and Training. 8VAC20-780 Staffing and Supervision. 8VAC20-780 Programs. 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect

Comments:

An announced monitoring inspection was conducted on 11/30/2023 from 12:40 - 1:25 pm, in response to an incident that was self-reported to the licensing inspector, by the program, on 10/26/2023. Prior to the on site inspection, administrative staff was interviewed and related documentation was reviewed remotely to include 1 staff record / background checks/ training, a completed Incident and Illness report and a written account of the incident. Video footage of the incident as well as proximate video footage both before and after the incident was viewed on site. The program director was interviewed and contact information for involved staff as well as possible witnesses was obtained. Information gathered during the investigation determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based on a review of video footage, written documentation, as well as the center?s written polices and procedures, the licensee did not ensure that the center's operational responsibilities include ensuring that the program's activities and services are maintained in compliance with the center's own established policies and procedures. Evidence: The Program?s Parent Handbook states that children will be provided ?positive, constructive discipline at all times?. Additionally, the handbook states that following actions or threats thereof are forbidden: ?Physical punishment, striking a child?. Staff #1 failed to follow the program?s discipline policy when she struck a 21 month old child (child #1) in the face with the flat side of a stack of papers in response to child #1 ?blowing raspberries?; with his mouth and tongue.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #1 was placed on administrative leave immediately while an investigation was conducted by the licensee. Following the completion of the investigation, Staff #1 was discharged due to gross misconduct.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-400-B
Description:	Based on a review of video footage, and documentation, staff did not always ensure that behavioral guidance was constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Video footage provided by the licensee of 10/26/2023, showed staff #1 fail to administer constructive, appropriate behavioral guidance when she responded to a 21-month-old child making noises with his mouth and tongue by striking child #1 in the face with the papers in her hand
Plan of Correction:	Staff #1 was placed on administrative leave immediately while an investigation was conducted by the licensee. Following the completion of the investigation, Staff #1 was discharged due to gross misconduct. Staff at the center were provided retraining in areas dealing with difficult behaviors, redirection techniques, and behavior guidance which is supportive and age-appropriate for the child.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-410-1
Description:	Based on a review of video footage, the facility did not ensure that staff refrained from using forbidden actions, to include striking a child. The Center?s video footage of 10/26/2023 at approximately 2:40 p.m. showed staff #1 engage in a forbidden action when she turned to a 21-month-old child (child #1) and struck child #1 in the face with the flat side of the papers she was holding.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #1 was placed on administrative leave immediately while an investigation was conducted by the licensee. Following the completion of the investigation, Staff #1 was discharged due to gross misconduct.