VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

SACC at Newington Forest
8001 Newington Forest Ave
Springfield, VA 22153
(703) 923-2660 (67)

Current Inspector: Jessica Willis (571) 352-1453

Inspection Date: Nov. 22, 2021

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-780 ADMINISTRATION. 8VAC20-780 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION.

Comments:

An investigation was initiated on 11/22/2021 and conducted jointly with a local agency in response to a self-reported incident regarding supervision received on 11/19/2021. The investigation concluded on 3/3/2022. Based on staff, parent, child, and community member interviews, the preponderance of evidence supports violations and the areas of non-compliance are identified on the violation notice. If you have any questions you may contact me at jessica.willis@doe.virginia.gov or 571-352-1453.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-780-40-E
Description:	Based on staff interviews, the center did not ensure the center?s activities were maintained in compliance with the center?s own policies and procedures. Evidence: 1. On 11/19/2021, procedures for dismissing a five year old child from care were not followed for one child. 2. During staff interviews, staff reported the procedure for dismissal of children at the time of this incident to be the following: -Parent calls the center to notify staff that they have arrived -Staff walks the child to the car of the parent. 3. Staff #1 reported during the dismissal process on 11/19/2021 for Child #1 (5 years), Staff #1 opened the door at the entrance of the program and watched Child #1 walk towards an individual standing on the sidewalk whom Staff #1 believed to be Child #1?s parent. Staff #1 reported she did not speak directly with the parent during the dismissal process. 4.Child #1?s parent had not yet arrived at the center to pick up Child #1.
Plan of Correction:	Policies regarding pick up procedures have been reviewed with staff. Transitions have also been reviewed and practiced cluster-wide. Each staff has a check off list to identify that the child has left. The time of departure and person picking up the child is documented. Authorized pick up people have to physically come up to the door. Staff must make eye contact and verbally interact with the person picking up the child. Individuals not identified by facial recognition must be verified by ID to ensure they are authorized by the parent to pick up the child.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-A
Description:	Based on interviews, the center failed to ensure the care, protection, and guidance of one child, when supervising children. Evidence: 1. On 11/19/2021, a 5 year old child was left unsupervised for an undetermined length of time. The child was found by a community member alone in front of the school building, away from the designated area for the program. 2. When interviewed, Staff #1 stated they dismissed Child #1 from the center sometime after 5pm, after hearing Staff #2 say Child #1?s parent had arrived. Staff #1 reported seeing an individual who she thought was the parent standing on the sidewalk. Staff #1 stated the child walked toward the individual Staff #1 thought was the parent. Staff #1 also stated it was dark outside at the time of the dismissal, and Staff #1 did not speak with the parent during the dismissal process. 3. When interviewed, Staff #2 stated they helped Child #1 gather his belongings after Staff #1 said his parent had arrived. Staff #2 reported Child #1 was dismissed by Staff #1 around 4:30pm and was returned to the program approximately 30-45 minutes later by someone in the community. 4.When interviewed, the community member (CM) reported first seeing Child #1 alone in front of the school building between 5pm and 5:30pm while passing the school during a bike ride. Approximately 10-15 minutes later, the CM passed the school again and noticed Child #1 was still at the front of the school building alone without adult supervision. When the CM approached Child #1, he was crying and stated he was cold. The CM sat with Child #1 for an undetermined amount of time while trying to determine where Child #1 was supposed to be. CM located the entrance to the center classroom and returned Child #1 to staff in the center classroom. 5. Child #1?s parent reported she was contacted by the center at approximately 5:40pm to notify parent that the child was out of supervision. The parent confirmed they were in traffic and had not yet arrived to the school to pick up Child #1.
Plan of Correction:	Policies regarding pick up procedures have been reviewed with staff. Transitions have also been reviewed and practiced cluster-wide. Each staff has a check off list to identify that the child has left. The time of departure and person picking up the child is documented. Authorized pick up people have to physically come up to the door. Staff must make eye contact and verbally interact with the person picking up the child. Individuals not identified by facial recognition must be verified by ID to ensure they are authorized by the parent to pick up the child.
Standard #:	8VAC20-780-340-F
Description:	Based on interviews, a child under 10 years of age was not always within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: 1. On 11/19/2021, a 5 year old child was not within actual sight and sound supervision of staff for an undetermined length of time. 2. Staff #1 and Staff #2 released Child #1 from the center when they thought Child #1?s parent had arrived. 3. A community member (CM) observed Child #1 alone in the front of the school building between 5pm and 5:30pm while passing the school during a bike ride. Approximately 10-15 minutes later, the CM passed the school again and noticed Child #1 was still at the front of the school building alone without adult supervision. After sitting with the child for an undetermined amount of time, The CM took Child #1 back to the center classroom.
Plan of Correction:	Policies regarding pick up procedures have been reviewed with staff. Transitions have also been reviewed and practiced cluster-wide. Each staff has a check off list to identify that the child has left. The time of departure and person picking up the child is documented. Authorized pick up people have to physically come up to the door. Staff must make eye contact and verbally interact with the person picking up the child. Individuals not identified by facial recognition must be verified by ID to ensure they are authorized by the parent to pick up the child.