VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Hope Lutheran Church
5350 Providence Road
Va. beach, VA 23464
(757) 424-4894

VDSS Contact: Kimberly Sampson (757) 354-7307

Inspection Date: Sept. 8, 2022

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

22.1 Religious Exempt; Background Checks Code; Carbon Monoxide 32.1 Report by person other than physician 54.1 Must be MAT Certified 63.2 Child abuse and neglect 8VAC20-770 Background Checks

Comments:

An unannounced complaint investigation was initiated on 09/08/22 and concluded on 09/30/22 in response to multiple complaints received by the licensing office on 7/27/22 regarding injuries, 8/18/22 and 9/8/22 regarding supervision. Observations, interviews, record reviews, telephone contacts, and video footage reviews were conducted on 9/8/22, 9/9/22, 9/12/22, 9/13/22, 9/14/22, 9/15/22, 9/19/22, 9/20/22, 9/21/22, 9/25/22, 9/26/22, 9/30/22, 10/21/22, 10/24/22, and 10/27/22 related the allegations. The information gathered supported the allegations in the area of supervision making the complaint valid. Additional violations regarding staff training, background checks, and mandated reporting were also cited. Areas of noncompliance are identified on the violation notice and were discussed with the administrator of the center at the conclusion of this investigation.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.031-A-5-c
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interview, video footage viewed, and record review it was determined the center did not ensure that any person 18 years of age or older associated with or employed by any public or private organization responsible for the care of children; who, in their professional or official capacity, have reason to suspect that a child is an abused or neglected child, reported the matter immediately to the local department of the county or city wherein the child resides or wherein the abuse or neglect is believed to have occurred or to the Department's toll-free child abuse and neglect hotline. Evidence: 1. There was no report made by the center about child #1 being left unattended on the playground on 9/6/22. 2. Interviews confirm that no report was made regarding the above incident.
Plan of Correction:	1. Hope Academy will ensure that the next director and all employees know the proper protocol for reporting to CPS any incident where child neglect or abuse is known or believed to have occurred using the toll-free hotline. 2. Hope Academy will provide training for new and existing employees on how to make reports of any known or suspected abuse or neglect using the toll-free hotline
Standard #:	22.1-289.031-B-2
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interview, video footage viewed, and record review it was determined the center did not ensure appropriate supervision was given to all children in care to ensure their safety. Evidence: 1. Video footage from 9/6/22 showed the two staff members(staff #1 and staff #3) and children from the two year old class and the two staff members(staff #2 and staff #4) and children from the three year old class leaving the playground at 12:07 pm and entering the center at 12:09pm. Child #1(DOB 9/4/20) from the two year old class is seen alone on the playground from 12:09 pm until 12:22 pm when a staff member(staff #6) returning from break retrieved child #1 from the playground and brought them back into the center at 12:24 pm. 2. Staff interviews confirmed child #1 was left unattended on the playground. 3. Video footage dated 9/6/22 at 12:07 pm showed child #4 on the side of the shed which is located partially on the paved parking lot. A van was observed driving directly in front of the shed with the child standing at the corner of the shed closest to the passing van. Staff members seen in this footage would not be able to see the child and van.
Plan of Correction:	Teachers will now be assigned to/posted in different areas of the playground to cover the full view. When the children line up to go inside, we will require a teacher to be in front of the line and a another teacher in the back of the line.
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on record review and interview it was determined the center continued to employ, or permit to serve as a volunteer who will be alone with, in control of, or supervising children any person who (i) has been convicted of any barrier crime as defined in ? 19.2-392.02. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #1 (hired 10/8/21) contained a disqualifying background check dated 10/22/21. 2. Staff #8 reported that the administration was aware of this employee having a disqualifying background check but elected to continue to employ the staff #1.
Plan of Correction:	1.(Staff#1) This individual is no longer employed by Hope Academy. The director allowing the disqualified employee to work for Hope no longer works for Hope Academy. Individual with barrier crimes on their record will not be allowed to be in positions, employed or volunteer, in the future.
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-2
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on record review it was determined the center did not ensure that all staff submit to fingerprinting as required. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #1 (hired 10/8/21)did not contain documentation of fingerprinting prior to employment. The fingerprinting results were dated 10/22/21. 2. The record for staff #4 (hired 9/21/21) did not contain documentation of fingerprinting prior to employment. 3. The record for staff #5 (hired 1/13/22) did not contain documentation of fingerprinting prior to employment. The fingerprinting results were dated 1/26/22. 4. The record for staff #6 (hired 5/22/22)did not contain documentation of fingerprinting prior to employment. The fingerprinting results were dated 9/12/22. 5. The record for staff #7 (hired 3/8/21)did not contain documentation of fingerprinting prior to employment. The fingerprinting results were dated 9/8/21. 6. The record for staff #8 (hired 6/21/21) did not contain documentation of fingerprinting prior to employment.
Plan of Correction:	1.(Staff #1) This individual is no longer employed with us. Moving forward, we will have any new employee submit to fingerprinting and have their results back prior to starting. 2. (Staff#4) This individual has submitted to fingerprinting. Results expected back 11/07/22. 3. (Staff#5) Hope is aware of the violation and is taking steps to correct it. Moving forward, we will have all new employees submit to fingerprinting and have their results back prior to starting. 4. (Staff#6) Hope is aware of the violation and is taking steps to correct it. Moving forward, we will have all new employees submit to fingerprinting and have their results back prior to starting. 5. (Staff #7) Hope is aware of the violation and is taking steps to correct it. Moving forward, we will have all new employees submit to fingerprinting and have their results back prior to starting. 6. (Staff #8) This individual is no longer employed with us. Moving forward will have any new employee have their fingerprinting results back before they start.
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-40-D-2
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on record review it was determined the center did not ensure that all employees who are expected to be alone with one or more children enrolled in the religious exempt child day center complete a sworn statement before employment and a search of the central registry is completed within 30 days of employment. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #1 (hired 10/8/21) did not contain documentation of a sworn statement signed prior to employment. The sworn statement in the record was dated 9/13/22. There was no search of the central registry available in the record for staff #1. 2. The record for staff #4 (hired 9/21/21) did not contain documentation of a search of the central registry. 3. The record for staff #5 (hired 1/13/22) did not contain documentation of a sworn statement signed prior to employment. The sworn statement in the record was dated 6/1/22. 4. The record for staff #6 (hired 5/22/22) did not contain a search of the central registry. 5. The record for staff #8 (hired 6/21/2021) did not contain documentation of a search of the central registry.
Plan of Correction:	1. (Staff #1) This individual is no longer employed with us. Moving forward we will make sure any employee that starts with us has a completed sworn statement 2. (Staff #2) This individual completed the sworn statement and it will be sent on 11/07/22 3. (Staff #5) Hope is aware of the time lapse onthis employee's sworn statement. We will ensure a sword statme is completed and submitted. Moving forward we will make sure any employee that starts with us has a completed sworn statement. 4. (Staff #6) Central registry was mailed on 08/26/22 and still no response. 5. (Staff #8) This individual is no longer employed with us.