VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Grove Church
8701 Ridge Road
Richmond, VA 23229
(804) 741-2860

VDSS Contact: Florence Martus (804) 389-0157

Inspection Date: May 11, 2021

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

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

Comments:

This inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternate remote protocol, necessary due to a state of emergency health pandemic declared by the Governor of Virginia. A code compliance inspection was initiated on 05/11/2021 and concluded on 05/11/2021. The director was contacted via video call to initiate the inspection. There were 19 children present and 3 staff. The inspector emailed the director a list of items required to complete the inspection. The Inspector reviewed 6 staff records submitted by the facility to ensure documentation was complete. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance(s) with applicable code sections and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the facility. The Licensing Inspector has reviewed with the provider COVID-19 Essential Guidance for Child Care programs.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-191-40-D-2
Description:	Based on staff record review, the center did not ensure five of six staff records had documentation of central registry results within 30 days of employment and/or a completed sworn statement or affirmation prior to employment. Evidence: 1. The record of staff #1 (start date: 8/17/20) had documentation of a completed sworn statement or affirmation dated 10/8/20. 2. The record of staff #2 (start date: 8/17/20) had documentation of central registry results dated 10/14/20 and a completed sworn statement or affirmation dated 10/13/20. 3. The record of staff #4 (start date: 1/28/21) had documentation of a completed sworn statement or affirmation dated 5/11/21. 4. The record of staff #5 (start date: 8/17/20) had documentation of central registry results dated 11/23/20 and a completed sworn statement or affirmation dated 5/11/21. 5. The record of staff #6 (start date: 8/17/20) had documentation of a completed sworn statement or affirmation dated 10/12/20.
Plan of Correction:	All 6 of our staff members have both Central Registry Review results on file as well as their Sworn Statements. We have revised our personnel procedures in conjunction with hiring a new HR professional who will be responsible to ensure compliance. The new procedure calls for the completion of the Sworn Statement and Central Registry check within one week after a verbal offer of a position. A new staff member cannot begin work until the documentation is received with clearance to employ.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1720.1-B-2
Description:	Based on staff record review, the center did not ensure four of six staff records had documentation of fingerprint based national criminal history search results prior to employment. Evidence: 1. The record of staff #1 (start date: 8/17/20) had documentation of fingerprint based national criminal history search results dated 10/13/20. 2. The record of staff #2 (start date: 8/17/20) had documentation of fingerprint based national criminal history search results dated 10/19/20. 3. The record of staff #5 (start date: 8/17/20) had documentation of fingerprint based national criminal history search results dated 5/6/21. 4. The record of staff #6 (start date: 8/17/20) had documentation of fingerprint based national criminal history search results dated 5/11/21.
Plan of Correction:	All of our current faculty and staff have had their background checks successfully completed. We have revised our personnel procedures in conjunction with hiring a new HR professional who will be responsible to ensure compliance. The new procedure calls for the completion of the background check within one week after a verbal offer of a position. The new staff member cannot begin work until the report is received with clearance to employ.
Standard #:	63.2(17)-1720.1-B-4
Description:	Based on record review, the center did not ensure one of six staff records contained documentation of criminal history record results, a sex offender registry check results and a child abuse and neglect search request from any state in which the individual has resided in the past five years. Evidence: 1. The record of staff #5 (start date: 8/17/2020) did not have documentation of criminal history record results, sex offender registry check results and a child abuse and neglect search request from any state in which the individual has resided in the past five years. 2. The Sworn Statement or Affirmation for staff #5 indicated that the staff has lived in one other state within the past five years.
Plan of Correction:	The Consent to Release Information Form from the State of Indiana has been completed by Staff #5 and it has been emailed to [Indiana Representative] at DSS per instructions from the Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning. Their office indicated the background check process could take 5-10 days before a report is issued to us. We will forward a copy of the report once we receive it. We have revised our personal procedures in conjunction with hiring a new HR professional who will be responsible to ensure compliance. All applications for successful applicants will be reviewed. Any individuals who have not lived in Virginia for the 5 years prior to applying will have to wait for the out-of-state review before a contract is signed. Effective May, 17, 2021 for future staff Effective May 18, 2021 for Staff #5.