VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

First Friends Church
1062 Big Bethel Road
Hampton, VA 23666
(757) 265-6966

VDSS Contact: Tiffany Jones (757) 403-3045

Inspection Date: Sept. 27, 2019 and Oct. 23, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-191 Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies 63.2(17) License & Registration Procedures 22VAC40-665 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING 22VAC40-665 STAFFING & SUPERVISION 22VAC40-665 SPECIAL SERVICES

Comments:

An unannounced complaint inspection was conducted at the facility on September 27, 2019 and October 23, 2019 in response to concerns regarding supervision. Based on the inspections completed at the facility, interviews held with staff and other collateral witnesses and documentation reviewed and obtained; there was a preponderance of evidence to support the allegations, therefore the complaint has been determined to be Valid. Areas of noncompliance are identified on the Violation Notice.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-665-810-A
Description:	Based on staff interview, the vendor did not ensure that when transportation is provided, they shall be responsible for care of the child from the time the child boards the vehicle until returned to the parent or person designated by the parent. Evidence: Staff #1 and Staff #2 confirmed that on September 16, 2019, Staff #2 transported Child #1 (five years old) from a local elementary school to the center and the center did not ensure responsibility of the child upon return as the child had been left on the center's vehicle alone.
Plan of Correction:	The driver now has in place of checking a checklist to ensure that all kids have exited off the vehicle everyday in her afternoon dismissal attendance.
Standard #:	22VAC40-665-810-D-1
Description:	Based on staff interviews, the vendor did not ensure to adhere to Virginia state statutes regarding transporting children with appropriate child restraint devices. Evidence: Staff #1 and Staff #2 confirmed that on September 16, 2019, Child #1 (five years old) was transported from a local elementary school to the center without an appropriate child restraint device based on the child's age. Virginia state statues states that any child up to age eight has to be provided with and properly secured in a child restraint device approved by the Department of Transportation.
Plan of Correction:	The child restraint booster seats are now in place on the van.
Standard #:	22VAC40-665-810-G
Description:	Based on observation and inspection of the facility, the vendor did not ensure that staff shall verify that all children have been removed from the vehicle at the conclusion of any trip. Evidence: 1. Staff #2 confirmed that on September 16, 2019, she did not verify that all children had been removed from the center's vehicle, as Child #1 (five years old) had been left on the center's vehicle at the conclusion of the trip. 2. When asked if the staff member normally verifies children have been removed, Staff #2 replied that it was a "crazy day, the kids were loud and I didn't that day".
Plan of Correction:	The driver now has in place of checking a checklist to ensure that all kids have exited off the vehicle everyday in her afternoon dismissal attendance.
Standard #:	22VAC40-665-580-D
Description:	Based on record review and staff interview, the vendor did not ensure that orientation training for staff shall be completed for required facility specific topics prior to the staff member working alone with children and within seven days of the date of employment or the date of subsidy vendor approval. Evidence: The Director confirmed that Staff #2 (date of hire 8/27/2012) had not obtained orientation training.
Plan of Correction:	Staff certificates will be given to ensure evidence of all orientation training.
Standard #:	22VAC40-665-650-H
Description:	Based on staff interviews, the vendor did not ensure that children less than 10 years of age shall always be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: The Director and Staff #2 confirmed that on September 16, 2019 at approximately 3:45 pm, Child #1 (five years old) was out of sight and sound supervision of staff for an undetermined amount of time as the child was left on the center's vehicle after being transported from a local elementary school to the center. Staff #2 stated that the child was left for "only minutes" and Staff #1 stated that the child had been left on the vehicle for "two to three minutes tops".
Plan of Correction:	The driver now has in place of checking a checklist to ensure that all kids have exited off the vehicle everyday in her afternoon dismissal attendance.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1720.1-A
Description:	Based on record review, the center did not ensure that staff shall undergo required background checks every five years. Evidence: Staff #1 confirmed that the most recent Central Registry finding for Staff #2 (date of hire 8/27/2012) was more than five years old and was dated 10/21/13.
Plan of Correction:	On 09/30/2019 we mailed out the staff member's Central Registry check and we have not received the results.