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32 | LS claimed the facility’s discipline policy consisted of staff first talking with the child(ren), and/or may progress in staff placing that child(ren) in time out in an unspecified area for a period of time in accordance with that child(ren)’s age.
Through the course of the investigation starting from 06/28/21 through 09/16/21, LPA interviewed LS, four children (C2 & C4- C6), five staff (S1- S5) and five parents (P1-P5). Some children were not verbal, too young to interview, not available to be interviewed, or did not qualify to be interviewed. Several children’s statements did not report any concerns about LS handling any child in a rough manner and the statements confirmed the facility discipline policy consisted of staff placing children in a time out for a length of time in accordance with that child(ren)’s age. Another statement did report a staff hit someone, however; that statement was not corroborated. Multiple statements provided by staff and parents reported they felt that the staff developed a great rapport with the child(ren) in care and they had not seen any negative interaction(s) or incident(s) in which staff pushed, hit or violated any child(ren)’s rights in care. Staff reported if they had witnessed such an incident, they were obligated to report the incident as a Mandated Reporter. Furthermore, the statements confirmed that verbal redirection and/or communicating with children to resolve problems/conflicts and child(ren) placed in time out based on their age(s) were among the methods the facility utilized to discipline the children.
During LPA’s visit on 07/01/21, LPA observed staff interacting/engaging with the children in care, and LPA did not witness any negative interaction(s) where staff pushed, hit or violated any child(ren)’s personal rights. Based on the investigation, there’s not a preponderance of evidence to support the allegation and therefore; the allegation is unsubstantiated. This report was discussed and reviewed with LS and an Exit interview was conducted with LS. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days. There were no title 22 deficiencies cited during this visit. |