complaint·May 17, 2024

The facility sick policy states, “that if the child develops any symptoms or illness is observed while in the program, your child may be sent home. In such case, your child will be isolated from other children, and you will be contacted to pick up your child. Sick children need to be picked up immediately.” While the child may have been isolated, Director did not leave early for the day after emergency contacts could not pick up C1. Based on record review, interviews, and observation the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. Due to this being a separate isolated occurrence, and not directly related to the outbreak of hand foot and mouth disease alleged in the complaint, a technical violation will be issued. An exit interview was conducted, a copy of this report along with appeal rights were discussed and provided to Acting Site Director Delilah Rodriguez. A notice of site visit was also provided and must remain posted for 30 days. Records reviewed confirmed that C1 doctors' note excused C1 to return to school the following day without fever on March 6, 2024. Fourteen of Sixteen interview's did confirm that C1 did not show signs of a fever on March 6, 2024. A review of records also revealed inconsistencies in all seventeen (17) doctors' notes, where only three (3) doctor's recommended that the child stay home for a week. Subsequently, the facility did require doctors’ notes from all children diagnosed with HFM and facility did follow the recommendations from the pediatrician when allowing children to return without fever. Based on conflicting statements, LPA is unable to corroborate the allegation that staff did not prevent hand, foot, and mouth outbreak. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the allegation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted, a copy of this report along with appeal rights were discussed and provided to Acting Site Director Delilah Rodriguez. A notice of site visit was also provided and must remain posted for 30 days.