VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

SACC at Woodlawn
8505 Highland Lane
Alexandria, VA 22309
(703) 619-4860

Current Inspector: Mahrukh Aziz (571) 835-4718

Inspection Date: Oct. 22, 2020

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 22VAC40-185 PROGRAMS. 22VAC40-185 SPECIAL SERVICES.

Comments:

This inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternate remote protocol, necessary due to a state of emergency health pandemic declared by the Governor of Virginia. A monitoring inspection was initiated on 10/22/20 in conjunction with a local agency, and concluded on 11/20/20. A self-reported incident was received by the department regarding allegations in the areas of Programs, Staffing and Supervision, and Special Services. The director was contacted by telephone to conduct the investigation. 4 staff members and 1 child were interviewed, and 1 record was reviewed. The evidence gathered during the investigation supported the self-report of non-compliance with standards or law and violations were issued and can be found on the violation notice. For any questions related to this inspection, please contact me at mahrukh.aziz@dss.virginia.gov or 571-835-4718.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-400-A
Description:	Based on staff and child's interviews, staff did not promote the child's emotional and social well being, and staff did not interact with the child to provide comfort and support. Evidence: 1. Staff # 1 stated that on 10/14/20 (Staff # 2's first day of employment), Child # 1 (11 years old) and Staff # 2 engaged in a verbal altercation. 2. Staff # 1 stated that when Child # 1 refused to stop using his laptop as directed by Staff # 2, Staff # 2 closed his laptop. Staff # 2 then said "Are you going to cry, Are you going to cry?" using a mocking tone of voice. 3. Staff # 1 stated that she had to tap Staff # 2 on the shoulder to calm her down. 4. Child # 1 stated that on one of the two days that Staff # 2 worked at the center (Child # 1 could not remember exactly which date), Child # 1 had to be removed from the classroom in trying to resolve some behavior issues. 5. Child # 1 stated that as he was leaving the room, Staff # 2 said "Bye cry baby. Oh, you need a tissue. Are you crying?" Child # 1 said that Staff # 2 said that using a teasing tone of voice.
Plan of Correction:	Staff will be counseled on the importance of positive interactions with children to promote children's emotional and social well being. Staff will receive training on developing positive relationships with children and strategies to support children's emotional and social well being. Observations and additional guidance will be provided by the center and regional supervisors.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-400-B
Description:	Based on staff and child's interviews, behavior guidance used by staff was not constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and did not redirect children to appropriate behavior. Evidence: 1. Child # 1 stated that Staff # 1 took his breakfast burrito and threw it in the trash. Child # 1 stated that the trash can was right outside of the classroom door. 2. Child # 1 stated that he walked out of the classroom, to the trash can, and took out his breakfast burrito. Child # 1 brought the breakfast back to his table and ate it. Child # 1 stated that he felt embarrassed as the other children were watching him. 3. Child # 1 stated that Staff # 1 watched him leave the room, and did not attempt to stop him. Child # 1 said that Staff # 1 did not apologize for throwing his breakfast away. 4. On 10/2/20, Child # 1 communicated with his parent via emails, related to this incident. The content is as follows: a. At 9:16 am Child # 1 e-mailed his parent stating "lady threw my burritos in the trash and i felt very embaresd because i went to get them from the trash and im gonna have to eat it and it was in the trash my hands are sticky". b. At 10:53 am Child # 1 sent another email in response to his parent's question about what happened. Child # 1 responded by writing "no its because i did not hear her because i always have my volume 100 and she grabbed it and threw it in the trash." c. At 11:09 am, in another response to his parent's question about whether or not Staff # 1 saw Child # 1 take the food out of the trash, Child # 1 wrote "she saw me i left the room to go get it."
Plan of Correction:	Staff will receive training on age and stage appropriate behavior guidance, including constructive guidance and redirection strategies. Observations and additional guidance will be provided by the center and regional supervisors.