Incident investigation·March 12, 2021

A Tele-inspection was conducted today at 10:00:am, by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Melchisedeck Augustin to investigate the circumstances surrounding an incident where staff (S1) reportedly got mad and hurt a child (C1). The report noted that C1 sustained a visible scratch on the arm. Due to the COVID pandemic, the Department suspended field operations and Center Director Rose Canarios (CD) agreed to meet with LPA via video conference. The facility self-reported the incident and submitted an unusual incident report (UIR) on 03/05/21. During the tele-inspection, LPA interviewed children (C2-C4), staff (S2-S4) and CD, starting at 10:00am, and C1 did not qualify to interview. LPA requested a copy of the facility roster of the children in care, and CD agreed to submit a copy of the roster to the Department within 24 hours. LPA conducted subsequent interviews with parent and staff (S1), starting at 12:47pm. The children’s statements did not report children witnessed any incident(s) where staff became mad and hurt C1. CD and staff’s statements denied the allegation, claiming they had not witnessed any incident where S1 became angered and hurt C1, and staff’s statements were consistent with that of CD. CD and staff claimed they utilized redirection as a method of discipline, and staff are aware of their obligations as a Mandated Reporter. According to the statement that S1 provided, S1 claimed she did not recall any instances where she became mad and hurt C1, and S1 was uncertain how C1 sustained the scratch on the arm. CD claimed she had not yelled or screamed at any children in care S1, and if she needed help in the classroom, she would request assistance from another staff or CD; and S1 acknowledge and understood her responsibility as a Mandated Reporter. LPA discussed with staff, their obligations as a Mandated Reporter and staff acknowledged and understood their obligations. Based on this investigation, there was not enough evidence to support the allegation that S1 got mad and hurt C1, and therefore this allegation is unsubstantiated. CD’s signature was not recorded on this Facility Evaluation Report (FER), however; this FER was provided to CD, and CD’s confirmation of read receipt is on file. All licensing reports are public information and must be made available upon request for at least three years. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today’s inspection. There were no Title 22 deficiency cited during today’s inspection.