VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Helping Hands Child Development Center
1003 Neathery Lane
Danville, VA 24541
(434) 793-0040

Current Inspector: Rebecca Forestier (540) 309-2835

Inspection Date: May 26, 2021

Complaint Related: No

Areas Reviewed:

22VAC40-185 ADMINISTRATION. 22VAC40-185 STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING. 22VAC40-185 STAFFING AND SUPERVISION. 22VAC40-185 PROGRAMS. 22VAC40-191 Background Checks (22VAC40-191) 63.2(17) License & Registration Procedures

Comments:

This inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternative remote protocol, necessary due to a state of emergency health pandemic declared by the Governor of Virginia. A non-mandated monitoring inspection resulting from a self-reported incident was initiated on 05/26/2021 and was completed on 06/01/2021. The Licensing Inspector conducted virtual interviews with 3 staff members on 05/26/2021. The inspector reviewed 1 staff record and the center?s policies and procedures during the inspection to ensure documentation was complete. Information gathered during the inspection determined violations with the applicable standards or law are documented on the violation notice issued to the facility.

Violations:

Standard #:	22VAC40-185-40-E
Description:	Based on staff interviews and the review of written documentation of the facility?s policies, the facility failed to ensure compliance with its own policies that are required by the standards. Evidence: 1. Interviews with the staff confirmed that on 05/25/2021, Staff #1 did not follow the facility's Discipline Policy when Staff #1 struck Child #1 on the hand. The facility's Discipline Policy states the following ?Physical punishment is never allowed. At no time is physical or verbal punishment allowed. Staff shall not use physical or verbal punishment such as: spanking, yelling, humiliating, belittling, shaking, withholding or forcing food, or putting a child in an uncomfortable position, etc.? 2. The record for Staff #1 contained documentation of a signed acknowledgement of receiving this information in writing; the document was signed and dated 07/12/2019.
Plan of Correction:	Sending out an amendment to the Discipline Policy in the Employee Handbook to the staff to reiterate grounds for immediate termination. Staff member's employment was terminated immediately following the incident.
Standard #:	22VAC40-185-410-1
Description:	Based on interviews with the staff, the facility failed to ensure that actions, or threats thereof, towards children that are forbidden by the standards (physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling or shaking a child) were not used at the center. Evidence: 1. Staff #2 stated that on 05/25/2021, while on the playground, Child #1 got upset and began acting out. Staff #1 approached Child #1 and got into the child?s face and stated ?do not hit me, I will hit you back?. Staff #1 then grabbed Child #1 by the wrist with one hand and used the other hand to strike Child #1?s hand. 2. Staff #3 stated on 05/25/2021 at approximately 11:15 am, that while on the playground, she heard Child #1 screaming and Staff #1 say ?do not hit me or I will hit you back? and then she heard a smacking sound. 3. Staff #4 stated that on 05/25/2021, at approximately 11:45 am, she was notified of the incident that occurred on the playground. Staff #4 then questioned Staff #1 about the incident. Staff #4 stated that Staff #1 admitted to striking Child #1?s hand while on the playground.
Plan of Correction:	Sending out an amendment to the Discipline Policy in the Employee Handbook to the staff to reiterate grounds for immediate termination. Staff member's employment was terminated immediately following the incident.