VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church
2714 Frederick Boulevard
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 399-7176

VDSS Contact: Adrianna Walden (757) 404-2487

Inspection Date: Sept. 4, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-191 Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies 63.2(17) License & Registration Procedures

Technical Assistance:

Please forward results of the Search of the Central Registry and National Fingerprint based Criminal Record Searches for staff as you receive them via email.

Comments:

A compliance inspection to monitor the requirements for Religiously Exempt Child Day Centers was conducted on 9/4/19 from 1:30 p.m to 2:50 pm. At the time of arrival the following staff to child ratios were observed: 3 three year old children with one staff; 28 children three years old to five years old with 3 staff. Classroom observations were made and children were observed resting quietly during nap period. Five staff records were reviewed, handbooks and posted information were reviewed and the center director was interviewed regarding center policies and procedures. The facility, to include all indoor areas used by children in care, as well as the outdoor play space, were observed. The director reports that the program does not transport children in a vehicle or administer medication. Areas of non-compliance are identified on the violation notice. Thank you for your time during today's inspection. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of assistance.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-191-40-D-2
Description:	Based on a review of staff records and interview, the religious exempt child day center did not ensure that each employee, volunteer, or any other person who is expected to be alone with one or more children enrolled in the religious exempt child day center has signed a sworn statement or affirmation before employment or commencement of service at the facility and had results of a search of central registry, within 30 days of employment or commencement of service. Evidence: The records for five currently employed staff were reviewed during he inspection. The records for staff #2 (hired in 2007), and #5 (hired in 2010) do not contain a signed sworn statement or affirmation. The records for staff #2 (hired in 2007), and #5 (hired in 2010) do not contain results of a search of the central registry. Staff #6 confirmed that this documentation was not available.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #6 stated that Sworn Disclosure Statements will be completed and signed by each staff by tomorrow and that the requests for the Search of the Central Registry have been completed and are being notarized this week in order to send out by the end of next week - 9/13/19.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1716-A-8
Description:	Based on a review of records and available documentation as well as interview, the religious exempt child day center was unable to demonstrate that a person trained and certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will be present at the child day center whenever children are present or at any other location in which children attending the child day center are present. Staff #6 was unable to show current CPR and First Aid certification for any staff currently working at the RECDC. She stated that she believed staff #3 has current certification but was unable to produce documentation of such.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #6 stated that she will ask staff #3 to provide documentation of her current certification tomorrow and plans to have additional staff trained soon.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1720.1-A
Description:	Based on a review of records and interview, the religious exempt child day center was unable to demonstrate that all employees and volunteers undergo background checks prior to employment or beginning to serve as a volunteer and every five years thereafter. Evidence: The records for five currently employed staff were reviewed. The records for staff # 1 (hired in 2013) contained the most recent signed Sworn Statement or Affirmation form which was dated 8/22/13 and the most recent results of a search of the central registry form which was dated 7/28/14. Both of these documents should have been completed again within 5 years of the date on the initial document. Staff #6 confirmed that there was not more recent documentation available for review.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #6 stated that a new Sworn Disclosure form will be signed by staff #1 today and that a new request for a search of the central registry will be sent out for staff #1 by the end of next week.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1720.1-B-2
Description:	Based on a review of records and interview, the religious exempt child day center was unable to demonstrate that all staff submit to fingerprinting for the purpose of obtaining a federal criminal background check. Evidence: The records for five currently employed staff were reviewed. The records for staff #1 (hired in 2013) staff #2 (hired in 2007), staff #4 (hired 8/28/19) and staff #5 (hired in 2010) did not contain the results of a finger print based federal criminal record check. Staff #6 stated that she believes these background checks were completed prior to her assignment to the the role of program director. However, she has been unable to locate any documentation of such.
Plan of Correction:	Staff #6 stated that she plans to have all staff fingerprinted by the end of next week and will place the documented results of these background checks in the staff's records upon receipt.