VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Lighthouse Worship Center, Inc.
3464 Worth Crossing
Charlottesville, VA 22911
(434) 973-7557

VDSS Contact: Michelle Argenbright (540) 848-4123

Inspection Date: Nov. 13, 2023

Complaint Related: Yes

Areas Reviewed:

22.1 Religious Exempt; Background Checks Code 63.2 Child abuse and neglect 8VAC20-770 Background Checks

Comments:

An unannounced code compliance inspection was initiated on 11/13/2023 and concluded on 11/13/2023 in response to a complaint received on 11/09/2023 regarding supervision. The inspector reviewed compliance in the areas of administration, staffing and supervision, and procedures. Interviews and observations were conducted. Information gathered during the inspection determined non-compliance with applicable standards or law and violations were documented on the violation notice issued to the facility.

Violations:

Standard #:	22.1-289.031-A-5-c
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interview and observation of video recording, the center failed to report a suspected case of child abuse. Evidence: 1. A witness reported that on 11/09/2023 she observed a staff member roughly grab a child by the arm and shoulder and forcefully ?slammed? him/her down on the ground beside her. 2. A video recording taken on 11/09/2023 corroborates this report and shows that another staff person witnessed the incident. 3. The director stated none of the staff reported the incident.
Plan of Correction:	Not available online. Contact Inspector for more information.
Standard #:	22.1-289.031-B-2
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on interview and observation of video recording, the center failed to implement the center?s procedures for appropriate supervision of children. Evidence: 1. On 11/09/2023 an individual that lives across the street from the center heard yelling and went outside. She witnessed a staff member yelling at a child ?Say no now; I didn?t think so!?. The individual stated the staff person then roughly grabbed the child by the arm and shoulder and forcefully ?slammed? him/her down on the ground beside her. The individual recorded the incident which corroborates her statement. 2. The director stated the staff are frequently trained on not putting their hands on the children and not yelling at the children. 3. The employee handbook lists the following procedures regarding appropriate supervision: Under standards of conduct #1. Employee will reflect a POSITIVE, LOVING, Christ-like attitude toward children, parents, co-workers, and administration. Under Classroom Management #5. Employees should keep voice level down so as not to disturb other classrooms. Under Forbidden Action- The following actions or threats thereof are forbidden: #1. Physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling, or shaking a child, restricting movement through binding, or tying, forcing a child to assume an uncomfortable position, or exercise as punishment.
Plan of Correction:	Employee was immediately terminated. All employees to be retrained on how to speak to the children. Future employees to be intensely trained on how to speak to children.
Standard #:	8VAC20-770-40-D-2
Complaint related:	No
Description:	Based on record review and interview, the center failed to have a completed central registry record check (CPS) by the end of the 30th day of employment for two staff. Evidence: 1. The record for staff 1 documents the hire date as 4/25/23. The date of the inspection(11/13/23) the record did not contain the results of the CPS finding. 2. The record for staff 2 documents the hire date as 7/28/22. The date of the inspection(11/13/23) the record did not contain the results of the CPS finding 3. The administrator stated both background checks were completed but not followed up on and the results were never received.
Plan of Correction:	Office staff to be retrained on correct procedures and following up on said procedures.