VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Epworth United Methodist Church
124 West Freemason Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 313-5301

VDSS Contact: Heather Harrell (757) 334-4329

Inspection Date: Dec. 3, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-191 Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies 54.1-3408 Must be MAT Certified. 32.1 Report by person other than physician 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect 63.2(17) License & Registration Procedures 63.2 Facilities & Programs.

Comments:

A compliance inspection to monitor the requirements for Religiously Exempt Child Day Centers was conducted on December 3, 2019 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. At the time of arrival the following staff to child ratios were observed: 17 children, 2 1/2 to 3 years old, with 2 staff 5 children, 24 to 30 months old, with 2 staff 8 children, 4 to 5 years old with 1 staff Classroom observations were made and children were observed settling onto mats for rest period and resting quietly. Eighteen staff records were reviewed, posted information was reviewed and the center program administrator 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. Staff report that the program does not transport regularly children in a vehicle while in care. Thank you for your time during today's inspection. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of assistance.

Violations:

Standard #:	63.2(17)-1716-B-5
Description:	Based on observation, the religious exempt program did not ensure that all areas and equipment of the center are free of obvious injury hazards. Evidence: The inspector observed small white paint chips under and around the radiators in the play room as well as several 2 to 2 inch areas on the wall where the paint had begun to peel and easily chipped off when the inspector brushed her fingers across it. Young children may put these paint chips into their mouths and/or eat them. The following hazardous substances, which were labeled "keep out of reach of children" and contained additional warnings on the label, were observed in areas that were accessible to the children in care: - A gallon sized bottle of bleach and 2 aerosol bottles of Lysol Disinfectant were located under the sink in the room where 2 1/2/ to 3 year old children were being cared for. - An aerosol spray bottle of Lysol Disinfectant was located on the bottom shelf of the unlocked closet in the 3 to 4 year old classroom. - 12 cans of latex paint were located on the floor and shelves of an unlocked closet in the playroom.
Plan of Correction:	The director stated that she will alert the maintenance worker of the areas needing to be sanded and repainted and ask that this be completed within 2 weeks. She also contacted the maintenance worker during the inspection to request that each classroom have a lock installed on the closet door to enable them to lock and hazardous substances so that children are unable to access them.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1720.1-B-3
Description:	Based on a review of records and interview, the religious exempt program did not obtain a copy of the results of a search of the central registry maintained pursuant to ? 63.2-1515 and any child abuse and neglect registry or equivalent registry maintained by any other state in which the individual has resided in the preceding five years. Evidence: Eighteen staff records were reviewed. The record for staff #9, whose Sworn Disclosure Statement indicated that she had resided outside of the state of Virginia within the past 5 years, did not contain results of a search of the child abuse and neglect registry or equivalent registry maintained by the other state documented on the form. Staff #9 has been employed since 6/19/19 and the Sworn Disclosure form was dated 6/17/19.
Plan of Correction:	The program director requested the out of state search of the child abuse and neglect registry for staff #9 and sent a copy of the email's receipt dated 12/6/19 to the inspector.