Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Respondent: THE EARLY YEARS CDC
Judges: J. LAWRENCE JOHNSTON
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Locations: Lakeland, Florida
Filed: Feb. 11, 2014
Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Wednesday, April 30, 2014.
Latest Update: Mar. 05, 2015
Summary: The issue in this case is whether the Department of Children and Families (DCF) should fine the Respondent for alleged violations in the operations of two child care centers in Lakeland.DCF proved several rule violations that supported fines totaling $475.
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x “4, Rick Scott
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SB @/e state of Florida Governor
a 2 Department of Children and Families
%, e Esther Jacobo
time Interim Secretary
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William S. D'Aluto
Regional Managing
Director
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Certified Mail Return Receipt No. 7013 0600 0001 8073 6796 Sy,
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To: The Early Years Child Development Center on, “in, &
Attention: Ashlee Jackson “k, <>
5100 US Highway 98 North Suite 10 7 Gis
Lakeland, Florida 33809 cn
a
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Coy,
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED the Department is proposing to impose
administrative fines totaling $425.00. The Department’s authority and grounds to
impose these fines are explained below.
1. The Department of Children and Families is authorized -by section 402.340,
Florida Statutes, to sanction The Early Years Child Development Center for
violations of child care licensing standards ‘in sections 402.301 — 402.319,
Florida Statutes, and chapter 65C-22, Florida Administrative Code.
2. Faith Without Works, Inc. is licensed under chapter 402, Florida Statutes, and
chapter 65C-22, Florida Administrative Code, to operate a child care facility
known as The Early Years Child Development Center iocated at 5100 US
Highway 98 North Suite 10, Lakeland, Florida 33809. The child care facility ~
license is currently an ANNUAL license.
3. On October 18, 2013, the Department received a complaint alleging that, on the
same date, children had been left in the facility's van without adult supervision
and while the engine was still running. At least one of the children had been
observed by an employee of the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) to be in the van
without any adult present. Two Department employees, a Child Protective
Investigator (CP!) and a Child Care Regulations Counselor (CCRC), made an
on-site visit to the facility to address the allegafions. The CPI interviewed a four
(4) year old child, T.M., who confirmed that he and his one (1) year old sister
had been left alone in the van and that he had gotten out of his car seat.
According to T.M., the driver had gone inside the facility to get more children.
The CPI and CCRC then spoke to the driver who acknowledged that he had, in
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fact, left the children in the van while he went inside to drop off lunches and
pick up more children. See the attached Exhibit “A” (Inspection Checklist and
Complaint Report dated October 18, 2013 and signed by a_ facility
representative on December 13, 2013).
4. The foregoing facts violate rule 65 C-22.001(5) (a) and 65C-22.001(6) (f),
Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
5. The vioiation described above is a Class | violation of a child care licensing
standard, in that such inadequate supervision posed an imminent threat to the
children, or could or did result in death or serious harm to the health, safety, or
well-being of a child. This is the first violation of this standard. The fine for the
October 18, 2013 violation is $250.
6. During this same on-site visit, the CCRC reviewed the driver's personne! file.
Although the file contained a Level 2 screening completed by the Polk County
School Board in 2010, the file did not contain the required two (2) year
employment history check including job titles and duties, as well as confirmed
dates of employment. There was also no documentation to show that you had
made attempts to obtain the information. As such, the driver's screening was
incomplete.
7. The foregoing facts violate rule 65C-22.006(4) (d) 2, Florida Administrative
Code (F.A.C).
8. The violation described above is a Class It violation of a child care licensing
standard. This is the second violation of this licensing standard within a two (2).
year period. Your facility previously violated this standard on July 16, 2012 and
was provided technical assistance. Please see the attached Exhibit “B”
(Inspection Checklist dated and signed July 16, 2012). The fine for this violation
is $50.
9. On July 19, 2013, an on-site visit was made to the facility as a result of a
complaint received by the Department on July 18, 2013. Part of the complaint
alleged that Department staff was not being provided all employee files when
they were requested. While this allegation could not be confirmed or refuted;
the CCRC did, as part of the on-site visit, review alll files for current employees.
During this review, it was discovered that the personnel file for Desaundra
Oldfield did not contain the required Level 2 background screening. The facility
was advised that the employee could not return until the required screening had
been completed and/or documented. Please see the attached Exhibit “C”
(Inspection Checklist and Complaint Report dated-July 19, 2013 and signed by
a facility representative on November 4, 2013).
10. The foregoing facts violate rule 65C-22.006 (4)(d)1., Florida Administrative
Code (F.A.C) and 435.04 (1), Florida Statue (F-.S.).
11. The violation described above is.a Class ll violation of a child.care licensing
standard. This is the second violation of this licensing standard within a two (2)
year period. Your facility previously violated this standard on March 19, 2013
and was provided technical assistance. Please see the attached Exhibit “D’
(Inspection Checklist and Complaint Report dated March 19, 2013 and signed
by a facility representative on November 4, 2013). The fine for this violation is
$50.
12. The Department received a complaint against the facility on June 5, 2013
alleging that a child in care had been struck by a'staff member resulting in a
bruise to the child’s right ear. A CPI and CCRC made an on-site visit to the
facility on June 7, 2013 to address the allegations. During this on-site visit, the
CP! and CCRC observed a iack of direct supervision of the four (4) year old
group. Upon the entry of the CP! and CCRC into the four (4) year old
classroom, the responsible staff member was in the restroom with one child,
leaving his back turned to the other children. The other children were observed
to be jumping off of tables and playing with balloons. One of the balloons
popped in a child’s mouth and the CPI had to assist the child in removing the
balloon pieces from her mouth to avoid a choking hazard. See the attached
Exhibit "E” (Inspection Checklist and Compiaint Report dated June 7, 2013 and
signed by a facility representative on November 4, 2013).
13. The foregoing facts violate rule 65C-22.001(5) (a), Florida Administrative Code
(F.A.C.).
14. The violation described above is a Class II violation of a child care licensing.
standard. This is the second violation of this licensing standard within a two (2)
year period. Your child care facility previously violated this standard on October
26, 2012 and was provided technical assistance. Please see the attached
Exhibit “F” (Complaint Report dated October 26, 2012 and completed January
14, 2013). The fine for this violation Is $50.
15. During a routine inspection conducted on August 14, 2013, it was noted that
several electrical sockets in the facility did not have required safety plugs. This
constitutes a safety deficiency having a low- potential for harm to the children: in
care, Please see the attached Exhibit “G” (Inspection Checklist dated August
14, 2013).
16. The foregoing facts violate rule 65C-22.002(1)(a) and (b), Florida Administrative
Code (F.A.C.).
17. The violation described above is a Class III violation of a child care licensing
standard. This is the third violation of this licensing standard within a two (2)
year period. Your child care facility previously violated this standard on July 19,
2013 and June 7, 2013. Please see the attached Exhibits C (at page1) and E
(at page 1). The fine for the August 14, 2013 violation is $25.
If you do not wish to contest the findings of this administrative complaint, payment of the
fine amount may be made directly to the Florida Department of Children and Families,
Child Care Regulation Office, 200 North Kentucky Avenue, Suite 322, Lakeland, Florida
33801.
lf you wish to contest the findings of this administrative complaint, the sanctions
imposed, you may do so as provided in the notification of rights below.
NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER CHAPTER 120, FLORIDA STATUTES
IF YOU BELIEVE THE DEPARTMENT’S DECISION IS IN ERROR, YOU MAY
REQUEST AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING TO CONTEST THE DECISION. YOUR
REQUEST FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING MUST BE IN WRITING AND MUST
BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN 21 DAYS OF YOUR RECEIPT OF
THIS NOTICE. FAILURE TO REQUEST AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING WITHIN
THE 21 DAYS PROVIDED SHALL CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF THE RIGHT TO A
HEARING.
You may submit your request for an administrative hearing to the Department at the
following addresses:
Cheryl Westmoreland, Esquire
Assistant Regional Counsel, Circuit 10
1055 US HWY 17N
Bartow FL 33830
AND
Gregory Venz, Esquire
Agency Clerk
1317 Winewood Bivd.
Bidg. 2, Rm. 204-X
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
Please note a request for an administrative hearing must comply with section
120.569(2)(c), Florida Statutes, and Rules 28-106.201(2), Florida Administrative Code.
Those provisions require a petition for administrative hearing to include:
(a) The name and address of each agency affected and each agency's file or
identification number, if known;
(b) The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner; the name, address, and
telephone number of the petitioner's representative, if any, which shall be the address.
for service purposes during the course of the proceeding;
(c) An explanation of how the petitioner's substantial interests will be affected by the
agency determination;
{d) A statement of when and how the petitioner received notice of the agency decisian;.
{e) A statement of all disputed issues of material facts. If there are none, the petition
must so indicate;
(f) A concise statement of the ultimate facts alleged, including the specific facts the
petitioner contends warrant reversal! or modification of the agency’s proposed action;
Section 120.569, Florida Statutes, and rule 28-106.201(4), Florida Administrative Code,
require a petition to be dismissed if it is not in substantial compliance with the
requirements above.
Mediation as described in section 120.573, Florida Statutes, may be available if agreed
to by all parties, and on such terms as agreed to by all parties. The right to an
administrative proceeding is not affected when mediation does not result in a
settlement.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
| HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been
fumished by certified mail return receipt to Ashlee Jackson, % The Early Years Child
Development Center located at 5100 US Highway 98 North Suite 10, Lakeland, Florida
33809, thise!7A-day of Decem be. 2013.
|
Demetri Nail
Child Care Regulation Counselor -
Docket for Case No: 14-000605
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Mar. 05, 2015 |
Agency Final Order filed.
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Mar. 05, 2015 |
Agency Final Order filed.
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Apr. 30, 2014 |
Recommended Order (hearing held April 8, 2014). CASE CLOSED.
|
Apr. 30, 2014 |
Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
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Apr. 21, 2014 |
Respondent's Suggested Findings of Fact and Proposed Final Orde (filed in Case No. 14-000606).
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Apr. 21, 2014 |
Respondent's Suggested Findings of Fact and Proposed Final Order filed.
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Apr. 17, 2014 |
Petitioner's Proposed Recommended Order (filed in Case No. 14-000606).
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Apr. 17, 2014 |
Petitioner's Proposed Recommended Order filed.
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Apr. 08, 2014 |
CASE STATUS: Hearing Held. |
Apr. 07, 2014 |
Respondent's Amended Response to Order of Prehearing Instruction filed.
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Apr. 07, 2014 |
Notice of Transfer.
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Apr. 07, 2014 |
Petitioner's Reponse to Order of Prehearing Instructions (not available for viewing) filed.
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Apr. 07, 2014 |
Respondent's Amended Response to Order of Pre-hearing Instruction (filed in Case No. 14-000606).
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Apr. 07, 2014 |
Respondent's Amended Response to Order of Pre-hearing Instruction filed.
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Apr. 04, 2014 |
(Petitioner's) Notice of Filing (list of proposed hearing exhibits; filed in Case No. 14-000606).
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Apr. 04, 2014 |
(Petitioner's) Notice of Filing (list of proposed hearing exhibits) filed.
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Apr. 03, 2014 |
Respondent's Response to Order of Pre-hearing Instruction filed.
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Apr. 01, 2014 |
Notice of Filing Respondent's Proposed Exhibits filed (exhibits not available for viewing). |
Apr. 01, 2014 |
Notice of Filing (filed in Case No. 14-000606).
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Apr. 01, 2014 |
Notice of Filing filed.
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Apr. 01, 2014 |
Defendant's Witness and (Proposed) Exhibit List (filed in Case No. 14-000606).
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Apr. 01, 2014 |
Defendant's Witness and (Proposed) Exhibit List filed.
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Apr. 01, 2014 |
Respondent's Response to Order of Pre-hearing Instruction (filed in Case No. 14-000606).
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Apr. 01, 2014 |
Respondent's Response to Order of Pre-hearing Instruction filed.
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Mar. 31, 2014 |
Petitioner's Response to Order of Pre-hearing Instructions (filed in Case No. 14-000606).
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Mar. 31, 2014 |
Petitioner's Response to Order of Pre-hearing Instructions filed.
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Feb. 18, 2014 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
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Feb. 18, 2014 |
Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for April 8, 2014; 9:30 a.m.; Lakeland and Tallahassee, FL).
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Feb. 18, 2014 |
Order of Consolidation (DOAH Case Nos. 14-0605, 14-0606).
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Feb. 17, 2014 |
Joint Motion for Consolidation of Related Cases and Response to Initial Order filed.
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Feb. 11, 2014 |
Initial Order.
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Feb. 11, 2014 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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Feb. 11, 2014 |
Response to Administrative Complaint filed.
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Feb. 11, 2014 |
Request for Administrative Hearing filed.
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Feb. 11, 2014 |
Notice (of Agency referral) filed.
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Orders for Case No: 14-000605