VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Little Tin Soldiers Educational Center
199 East Mercury Boulevard
Hampton, VA 23669
(757) 727-0780

Current Inspector: Tiffany Jones (757) 403-3045

Inspection Date: Nov. 6, 2019 and Dec. 10, 2019

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 22VAC40-185 PROGRAMS. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL SERVICES.

Technical Assistance:

Discussed self-report procedures and transportation requirements.

Comments:

An unannounced self- report inspection was conducted on November 6, 2019 and December 10, 2019. Interviews were conducted with staff to determine compliance with the standards. Areas of non-compliance are identified on the violation notice.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-140-A
Description:	Based on record review, the licensee did not ensure within one month after attendance each child had a physical examination. Evidence: Child #1 (start date 2014) did not have documentation of physical examination in the record. Staff #3 was unable to provide the document
Plan of Correction:	Program Director was not aware that a older physical is sufficient. The document was present but not dated the year 2019.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-160-C
Description:	Based on record review and staff interview, the licensee did not ensure at least every two years from the date of the first initial screening or testing, or more frequently as if recommended by a licensed physician or the local health department, staff members will obtain and submit the results of a follow-up tuberculosis screening. Evidence: Staff #1's most recent document for tuberculosis test was 11/04/2014 which is more than two years old. Staff #3 confirmed she was unable to provide documentation of an updated document tuberculosis test .
Plan of Correction:	The center director will review files every three months.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-40-E
Description:	Based on interview and review, the center did not ensure that the center's activities were maintained in compliance with these standards, the center's own policies and procedures that are required by these standards, and the terms of the current license issued by the department. Evidence: 1. Center transportation policy states: "When children leave the vehicle, the vehicle shall be inspected to ensure no children are left in the vehicle." 2. Center policy also states: "Head Counts shall be taken before leaving the center, after entering the vehicle, during a field trip, after taking children to the restroom , after returning to the vehicle, and upon returning to the center. " 3. In the interview Staff #1 stated she did not do a walk-through of the vehicle (van) but that day she just scanned the van. Staff #1 stated the transportation policy is to walk-through the van. Staff #1's written statement confirmed she failed to thoroughly check the back seat corner or floor on the vehicle. She stood and looked over all seats but did not walk and check the back corner seat or floor.
Plan of Correction:	Immediate action will be taken to all staff who fails to follow agency policies and procedures. Agency will continue to support a zero tolerance with non-supervision of children.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-A
Description:	Based on staff interviews, and a review of documentation, the licensee did not ensure when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection and guidance. Evidence: 1-Staff #3 stated Child #1, age 7 years, was left alone on a center vehicle (van) on October 30, 2019 between 4:00pm -5:00pm for an undetermined amount of time. 2- Staff #1 dropped the children off at the center and parked the vehicle at another building that was approximately 0.2 miles away from the center. 3- Staff #2 stated she noticed child #1, was missing when taking roll. Staff #2 notified Staff #3. 4- Staff #3 stated she checked the classrooms and bathroom. Staff #3 asked Staff #1 if she made sure no children were on the vehicle. Staff #1 stated child#1 was picked up from school. Staff #3 asked child #1?s brother where he was he said he saw him on the vehicle. 5- Staff #3 stated she went outside to go to the vehicle and saw child #1 walking with a unknown person from nearby establishment. Staff #1 and Staff #3 stated they observed Child #1 crying when walking to the center. 6- Staff #1, stated the child was found at least 15 minutes after she arrived back to the center. 7- Child #1 walked approximately 0.2 miles along a busy four lane street from the parked vehicle to the center. The speed limit was 45 mph. 8- The temperature according accuweather.com was approximately 68 degrees.
Plan of Correction:	The program director new transportation procedures: The staff will be outside to greet the van and van driver . The van driver will do the count and attendance when they get on the van. Once the child exit the van the van driver will mark attendance again. The after school staff will take attendance and compare it to the van driver's attendance to make sure everything matches up . Both after school instructor and van driver has the name of each kid in each school. The van driver will inspect the van before going in the building. If any children are absent the after school instructor teacher in front needs to report it to the director. To confirm if parents have called .The van driver will call center to inform the vehicle is clear. After school instructor and van driver will agree on the student account.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-340-F
Description:	Based on interviews and review of documentation, the licensee did not ensure children under 10 years of age were always with in sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: Child #1, age 7 years was left alone without sight and sound supervision on the center vehicle parked approximately 0.2 miles from the center for undetermined amount of time. Child #1 exited the vehicle and walked to the center on/along side four lane street on October 30, 2019 between 4:00pm-5:00pm. Staff #1 and Staff #3 observed and stated child #1 was escorted by an unknown person to the center. Staff #3 stated the unknown person said she found him walking by the lodge. Staff #1 and Staff #3 stated child #1 said he fell asleep on van and he did not know where anyone was.
Plan of Correction:	The center developed and implemented a new policy to prevent and reinforce our current transportation policy to ensure kids are always with in sight and sound of our supervisory staff. In the 15 years of center operation this has never occurred and the center will ensure a incident of this magnitude will never happen again. The center will continue to provide staffing and supervision training with staff in this area.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-580-K
Description:	Based on staff interviews, it was determined that the center did not ensure that staff verified that all children had been removed from the vehicle at the conclusion of any trip. Evidence: On October 30, 2019, child #1 was left on the center vehicle (van) , driven by Staff #1. In the written statement and interview Staff #1 stated ? she failed to thoroughly check the back seat corner or floor on the van. Staff #1 stood and looked over all seats but did not walk and check the back corner seat or floor. The van was parked at 4:15pm.? Child #1 was left on the van.
Plan of Correction:	The program director new transportation procedures: The staff will be outside to greet the van and van driver . The van driver will do the count and attendance when they get on the van. Once the child exit the van the van driver will mark attendance again. The after school staff will take attendance and compare it to the van driver's attendance to make sure everything matches up . Both after school instructor and van driver has the name of each kid in each school. The van driver will inspect the van before going in the building. If any children are absent the after school instructor teacher in front needs to report it to the director. To confirm if parents have called .The van driver will call center to inform the vehicle is clear. After school instructor and van driver will agree on the student account.