VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Genesis Learning Center @ Cloverleaf
7500 Cloverleaf Drive
N. chesterfield, VA 23225
(804) 231-1786

Current Inspector: Jennifer Moore (540) 430-0384

Inspection Date: Sept. 6, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION. 22VAC40-185 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING. 22VAC40-185 PHYSICAL PLANT. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 22VAC40-185 PROGRAMS. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL CARE PROVISIONS AND EMERGENCIES. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL SERVICES. 22VAC40-80 THE LICENSE. 22VAC40-80 THE LICENSING PROCESS. 22VAC40-80 SANCTIONS. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks (22VAC40-191) 32.1 Report by person other than physician 63.2 Child Abuse & Neglect 63.2(17) License & Registration Procedures 63.2 Facilities & Programs.

Technical Assistance:

None

Comments:

The licensing inspector completed an inspection in response to a self-reported concern regarding forbidden actions by staff. On August 20, 2019, the Department was notified of an incident that occurred. On September 6, 2019, the licensing inspector was on site from approximately 12:30 PM until 2:15 PM interviewing staff, conducting observations at the center and reviewing documentation. The preponderance of the evidence gathered during the investigation supports areas of noncompliance with the licensing standards related to supervision, behavioral guidance, forbidden action and the center's policies. Please complete the 'plan of correction' and 'date to be corrected' for each violation cited on the violation notice and return it to me within 5 business days from the date of receipt. 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 standards, 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). If you have any questions about this inspection, please contact the Licensing Inspector, Ali Metzger, at (804) 662-9092.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-40-E
Description:	Based on a review of documentation and a staff interview, the center did not ensure that the center's policies and procedures regarding acceptable and unacceptable discipline polices were followed. Evidence: 1. The center's policies and procedures regarding discipline were not followed on August 20, 2019 when Staff #1 struck Child #1 (eight years old) with a belt. 2. The licensing inspector reviewed the center's "Student Disciplinary" policy. The policy stated "Under no circumstances should a teacher hit a student or verbally berate him/her." 3. The licensing inspector reviewed the center's "Forbidden Actions" policy. The policy stated "The following actions are forbidden and will result in immediate termination: Physical punishment, striking a child." 4. The licensing inspector reviewed the center's "Faculty Discipline" policy. The policy stated "Grounds for termination of employment...1. Striking a child. Note: Be cautious when handling fighting children or a disobedient child."
Plan of Correction:	Administration states "we have developed a three step procedure for safely separating during a physical altercation. (9/20/19) All staff will receive training regarding this new procedure. Walkie-talkies will be made available in each classroom for fast and effective communication. (10/1/19) Also video cameras will be installed in each classroom across all locations within the next 30 days. (10/20/19)"
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-400-B
Description:	Based on a staff interview and documentation review, the center did not ensure behavioral guidance was constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, or intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1. During the September 6, 2019 inspection, Staff #2 stated the following occurred on August 20, 2019 in the female school-age classroom: While preparing lunch in the kitchen, Staff #2 was notified by another staff member that assistance was required in the female school age classroom. Upon arriving to the classroom at approximately 11:55 AM, Staff #1 stated to Staff #2 that in an attempt to stop a physical fight between two children, Staff #1 had removed her belt and struck Child #1, who is eight years old. Staff #2 spoke to Child #1 who reported that Staff #1 hit her with her belt, that "she is not supposed to do that," and reported it "hurt a little." 2. In a written statement dated August 20, 2019, Staff #1 stated the following: "Two students were roughly playing with each other when they became upset. After being asked several times to leave one another alone the situation escalated and they began to fight. I tried to separate them but they continued to fight. When one child was on top of the other I tried to get them to stop by tapping one of them on their side with my belt." 3. Using a belt on a child is neither constructive in nature nor age and stage appropriate.
Plan of Correction:	Administration states "we have developed a three step procedure for safely separating during a physical altercation. (9/20/19) All staff will receive training regarding this new procedure. Walkie-talkies will be made available in each classroom for fast and effective communication. (10/1/19) Also video cameras will be installed in each classroom across all locations within the next 30 days. (10/20/19)"
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-410-1
Description:	Based on an interview with staff and documentation review, the center failed to ensure staff did not use a forbidden action of striking a child. Evidence: 1. During the September 6, 2019 inspection, the licensing inspector interviewed Staff #2 regarding forbidden actions. Staff #2 stated that on August 20, 2019 at approximately 11:55 AM, Staff #1 stated to Staff #2 that in an attempt to stop a physical fight between two children, Staff #1 had removed her belt and struck Child #1, who is eight years old. 2. In a written statement dated August 20, 2019, Staff #1 stated the following: "Two students were roughly playing with each other when they became upset. After being asked several times to leave one another alone the situation escalated and they began to fight. I tried to separate them but they continued to fight. When one child was on top of the other I tried to get them to stop by tapping one of them on their side with my belt."
Plan of Correction:	Administration states "we have developed a three step procedure for safely separating during a physical altercation. (9/20/19) All staff will receive training regarding this new procedure. Walkie-talkies will be made available in each classroom for fast and effective communication. (10/1/19) Also video cameras will be installed in each classroom across all locations within the next 30 days. (10/20/19)"