This inspection was conducted by licensing staff using an alternate remote protocol necessary due to a state of emergency declared by the Governor of Virginia in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A monitoring inspection was initiated on April 13, 2021 and concluded on May 26, 2021. A self-reported incident was received by the department regarding allegations in the areas of supervision. The director was contacted by telephone to conduct the investigation. The inspector emailed the director a list of documentation required to complete the investigation.
The evidence gathered during the investigation supported the self-report of non-compliance with standards or law and a violation was issued. Any violations not related to the self-report but identified during the course of the investigation can be found on the violation notice.
Based on interviews, video and documentation review, the center did not ensure that the center?s established procedures regarding the appropriate supervision of the children in care were implemented to ensure the safety of children.
Evidence: The following was determined over the course of the investigation:
1. A video recording of a March 31, 2021 virtual learning class showed Child A (six years old), playing with headphones, while participating in online learning. The video shows Staff #1 walking up, roughly grabbing the arm of Child A, taking away the headphones. The video shows Staff #1 putting the headphones on the head of Child A. [Child A] then takes off the headphones and Staff #1 forcefully puts the headphones back on [Child A?s] head leaning within inches of [Child A?s] face, yelling, ?Do you understand me?, ?Do you hear me? and ?Cut it out?, while pushing the child?s chair in. 2. Three witnesses who viewed or logged on as part of the virtual learning class confirmed Staff #1 grabbed Child A by the arm and yelled in the face of Child A. 3. A written document from Staff #2 stated ?[Staff #1] tenure of employment with TVCDC is terminated effective immediately as physical contact and yelling at students for inattentiveness is not the appropriate method of redirection and is in violation of both TVCDC Policies and Procedures, Orientation Training and mandated staff training. 4. Another written document stated, ?Our Policies and Procedures, TVCDC observes a strict ?no bullying, hands off, and respect all participants? policy for all adults and youth in our organization.
Plan of Correction:
Staff was immediately removed from the classroom. An investigation was completed and reported to CPS / licensing. Staff was terminated. Staff meeting was held with all staff to discuss prevention of reoccurrence and revisited positive redirection training. Camera are being installed in all classrooms.
Disclaimer:
This information is provided by the Virginia Department of Social Services, which neither endorses any facility nor guarantees that the information is complete. It should not be used as the sole source in evaluating and/or selecting a facility.
Find this content at:
http://www.dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/cc.cgi