VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

First Baptist Church Newport News
12716 Warwick Boulevard
Newport news, VA 23606
(757) 930-0901

VDSS Contact: Michele Patchett (757) 439-6816

Inspection Date: April 12, 2023

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

8VAC20-790 Introduction 8VAC20-790 Administration 8VAC20-790 Staff Qualifications & Training 8VAC20-790 Physical Plant 8VAC20-790 Staffing & Supervision 8VAC20-790 Programs 8VAC20-790 Special Care Provisions & Emergencies 8VAC20-790 Special Services

Comments:

A focused Subsidy monitoring inspection was conducted on 4/12/2023 regarding an incident involving a lapse of sight and sound supervision of children in care. The incident was self reported by the program and received by the department on 3/2/2023. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the program.

Violations:

Standard #:	8VAC20-790-670-H
Description:	Based on information self reported to the agency, and staff interviews, the religious exempt program did not always ensure that children less than 10 years of age are always within actual sight and sound supervision of staff, with the exception of when a child is using the restroom and specific other criteria are met. Evidence: The Program Director self-reported to the inspector that on March 1, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. staff realized that a child in care was not present in the fellowship hall where the rest of his class was attending a planned event. Interviews with Staff #1 and Staff #2 confirmed that child #1 was present in line for the activity before they exited the classroom at about 9:55 a.m. but could not be located 15 to 30 minutes later during the activity in the fellowship hall. Staff #1 stated that she ran out to the hallway to look for child #1 and observed child #1 playing alone in the hallway, about halfway between the classroom and the fellowship hall which is located at the opposite end of the facility. Both Staff #1 and Staff #2 stated that they accounted for all the children prior to leaving the classroom but, in the rush to get the children to an activity that was beginning shortly, did not conduct another headcount after exiting the classroom or upon arrival to the fellowship hall. Staff #1 and Staff #2 stated that Child #1 must not have exited the classroom with the rest of the class but stayed back to get a toy that had been placed in his cubby before children lined up. According to both staff #1 and Staff #2, the classroom door was closed and locked when they left but Child #1 had this toy in his possession when he was found alone in the hallway.
Plan of Correction:	The program director will submit a plan of correction for this violation within 10 days of receipt of this report (received 4/17/2023).