VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Little Grove Baptist Church
6320 Old Towne Point Road
Suffolk, VA 23435
(757) 484-4417

VDSS Contact: Melinda Popkin (757) 802-5281

Inspection Date: Dec. 6, 2023

Complaint Related: No

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

Technical Assistance:

The program director confirmed that the outdoor play structure located in the filed across the street form the program where children play outdoors is not used by children. We discussed the need for cushioning material under and around the structure if the program plans to allow children to use it at a later date. Today we discussed scenarios where staff may want or need to bring their own child to the program on occasion. The ages of children in care must be within the ages documented on the center's Statement of Intent and exemption letter ( 2 years to 12 years of age). In addition, in preparation for the possibility of children using drop in care, it may be helpful to have the staff's children's enrollment paperwork on file and immunization records reviewed and documented as such. Please forward the results of the updated background checks to your inspector as they are received. Be sure to follow up with the Office of Background Checks (OBI) if results are not received prior to 30 days after they were requested

Comments:

An unannounced monitoring inspection was conducted on 12/6/2023 from 2:30 pm-4 4:50 pm. At the time of entrance, 53 children were present with 6 staff members present. The sample size consisted of 12 staff records. Children were observed transitioning from naptime to restroom and handwashing and eating an afternoon snack. Children were engaged in group singing and dancing, watching a holiday movie and creating artwork. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.035-A
Description:	Based on a review of records and interview, the religious exempt program did not have all employees undergo updated background checks (Criminal Record Check and Central Registry Search) every 5 years. Evidence: Twelve staff records were reviewed. The record for staff #2 contained the most recent Criminal Record Search that was dated 10/15/2018 which was more than 5 years ago. The record for staff #3 contained the most recent Criminal Record Search that was dated 2/6/2018 which was more than 5 years ago. The record for staff #5 contained the most recent Criminal Record Search that was dated 3/6/2018 which was more than 5 years ago. The record for staff #1 contained the most recent Search of the Central Registry that was dated 6/4/2018 which was more than 5 years ago. The record for staff #3 contained the most recent Search of the Central Registry that was dated 5/31/2018, which was more than 5 years ago. The record for staff #5 contained the most recent Search of the Central Registry that was dated 6/5/2018, which was more than 5 years ago. The record for staff #8 contained the most recent Search of the Central Registry that was dated 10/4/2018, which was more than 5 years ago. The record for staff #10 contained the most recent Search of the Central Registry that was dated 5/31/2018, which was more than 5 years ago. The program director acknowledged that these background checks had expired and showed documentation of working on updates.
Plan of Correction:	The program director erroneously thought these background checks were good for another year. Upon realizing that these background checks had expired she began the process of updating them. The PD provided documentation of having sent for new Central Registry Reports for those who expired and is awaiting the results. In addition, new fingerprints have been conducted for staff requiring updated Criminal Record Reviews and these results are pending, as well. The updated results of each expired background check will be emailed to the inspector as they are received.