VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Word of Life Outreach Ministries
14605 Woods Edge Road
South chesterfield, VA 23834
(804) 530-1150

VDSS Contact: Molly Muscat (804) 588-2367

Inspection Date: Jan. 25, 2024

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

22.1 Religious Exempt; Background Checks Code; Carbon Monoxide 8VAC20-790 Staff Qualifications & Training 32.1 Report by person other than physician 8VAC20-790 Physical Plant 54.1 Must be MAT Certified. 8VAC20-790 Staffing & Supervision 63.2 Child abuse and neglect 8VAC20-790 Programs 8VAC20-770 Background Checks 8VAC20-790 Special Care Provisions & Emergencies 8VAC20-790 Introduction 8VAC20-790 Special Services 8VAC20-790 Administration

Comments:

A code compliance inspection was conducted on January 25, 2024 from approximately 11:20 am to 12:40 pm in response to a complaint that was received on January 23, 2024 in reference to supervision of children. There were 4 children present, ranging in ages from three to four years, with two staff supervising. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, physical plant, staffing and supervision. A total of five children's records and three staff records were reviewed. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable sections of the Code of Virginia and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program. Therefore, the complaint was deemed valid. Please complete the plan of correction and ?date to be corrected? for each violation cited on the violation notice, sign, and return it to me within 5 business days from today. Please specify how the deficient practice will be or has been corrected. Your plan of correction should contain: 1) steps to correct the noncompliance with the standard(s), 2) measures to prevent the noncompliance from occurring again, and 3) person(s) responsible for implementing each step and/or monitoring any preventative measure(s).

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.031-B-2
Complaint related:	Yes
Description:	Based on interview, the center did not establish and implement procedures to ensure appropriate supervision of all children in care. Evidence: Interviews revealed that on the morning of 01/23/2024 staff #1 was standing with a group of children outside waiting for the school bus to arrive. Child #1 removed the wig of staff #1. Staff #1 stated that she grabbed child #1 by the collar of their jacket and spun the child around because the child took her wig off and was laughing at her. Staff #1 stated that she was angry with the child and embarrassed. Interviews revealed that staff #1 squeezed child #1 by the cheeks causing a scratch on the child's cheek and then shoved the child toward the school bus.
Plan of Correction:	We understand the importance of appropriate supervision of all children in care. We do not take this lightly, and since the complaint Staff #1 has stepped down from their role and has appointed a new staff member to that role who has been trained and served several years in childcare. Additionally, all staff have been required to complete state-approved trainings, especially those that will enhance our team's awareness, knowledge, and application of appropriate supervision of all children in all situations. The new Director will prevent any situation like this from happening by ensuring that all staff are formally trained and held accountable, regularly for their application of coaching and trainings to all children in our care, and we will document and properly address any issues that could present themselves in the future.
Standard #:	22.1-289.031-B-3
Complaint related:	No
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Based on interview, the center failed to ensure that there is at least one staff member trained to perform a daily simple health screening. Evidence: During interviews management was not able to identify a staff member who is trained to perform daily health screening.
Plan of Correction:	We understand the importance of at least one staff member being trained to perform a daily simple health screening. Upon notice, Administration discussed the approved resource for this training with the Virginia Department of Education, and all staff were asked to complete the training. Training attendance and the curriculum were recorded and the staff's certificates were placed on file. Moving forward, the Director will ensure that all staff are trained in the daily health screening so that there will always be someone present who is trained for this necessary screening.
Standard #:	22.1-289.031-B-4
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on a review of records and interview, the center did not establish and implement procedures to ensure that all children in the center are in compliance with the provisions of ? 32.1-46 regarding the immunization of children against certain diseases. Evidence: 1. The immunizations in the record of child #3 in attendance on 01/23/24, were not obtained. 2. During interview, staff #1 stated a procedure was not implemented to ensure child #3 did not attend the center before immunizations were provided.
Plan of Correction:	We understand the importance of keeping our records up-to-date and having students' immunization records and/or certified exemptions on file. Administration requested all missing documentation from parents/guardians and updated the students' files. It will be required for all newly accepted and registered students to have their complete immunization record on file prior to their first day attending the center, and the Director will enforce this vital component being provided for each student's file.
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-A
Complaint related:	No
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Based on records review, the center did not ensure that background checks are completed every five years. Evidence: The record for staff #3, date of employment 08/09/2016, contained fingerprint results dated 04/06/2018 and central registry results dated 08/20/2018. A repeat fingerprint check was due on or before 04/06/2023 and a repeat central registry check was due on or before 08/20/2023.
Plan of Correction:	We understand the importance of compliance especially when it comes to the need for up-to-date background checks on every staff member. Administration made full corrections upon notice, and all staff were scheduled for the state-approved channels to receive their fingerprints, as well as, Central Registry requests submitted for records. As satisfactory results are received, they have been documented and placed in each staff's records. The Director will ensure that a minimum of bi-annual reviews of each staff member's file will occur, and all repeat checks will be done, documented and filed prior to the due dates needed to remain up-to-date.
Standard #:	22.1-289.035-B-2
Complaint related:	No
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Based on review of staff records, the center failed to ensure that staff submit to fingerprinting prior to employment. Evidence: The record for staff #1 and the record for staff #2 did not contain documentation of fingerprint results. Staff #1 was alone outside working with a group of children on 01/23/24. Staff #2 was alone working with a group of children on 01/25/24. Staff #1 and staff #2 are listed on the staff child ratio information sheet received by the department on 02/21/2023.
Plan of Correction:	We understand the importance of all staff members having fingerprints completed and on file prior to the start of their employment. Administration informed all staff of their need to update and receive fingerprints through the avenue approved by the State Board of Education Standards for Subsidy Program Vendor Requirements for Child Day Care Centers. For future hires, the Director will not allow any staff to begin their employment at the center without receipt of their satisfactory fingerprint results, which will then be placed on file, immediately.
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-40-D-2
Complaint related:	No
Description:	REPEAT VIOLATION Based on review of 3 staff records, it was determined that all staff did not have Central Registry results as required. Evidence: 1. The record for staff #1, date of hire 06/01/1987, and the record for staff #2, June 2023, did not contain documentation of Central Registry search results. Staff #1 and staff #2 are listed on the last Staff-Child Ratio Information Sheet received by the department dated 02/21/2023. Staff #1 was working alone with a group of children on 01/23/2024. Staff #2 was working alone with a group of children on 01/25/2024.
Plan of Correction:	We understand the importance of being compliant with the State Board of Education Standards for Subsidy Program Vendor Requirements. A meeting was held between Administration and the Virginia Department of Education discussing all of the requirements for each staff member's file and the approved channels to received required documentation. Administration immediately requested Central Registry results for each staff member, and upon receipt, a copy of their satisfactory results were placed in their respective files. To prevent this from occurring again, the Director will review each staff's file a minimum of two times per year to make sure that all staff's records are compliant with each requirement and prior to the due date for such records.