Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
Respondent: FUNDAMENTALS CHILD CARE OF PALM COAST, INC.
Judges: BARBARA J. STAROS
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Locations: Daytona Beach, Florida
Filed: Nov. 24, 2009
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Monday, February 8, 2010.
Latest Update: Nov. 17, 2024
Of-bY 40
DEPARTMENT OF {te AND FAMILIES
IN THE MATTER OF Certified Mail 7005 1820 0008 0152 2135
A Civil Penalty Against Return Receipt Requested
Fundamentals Child Care or
Of Palm Coast, Inc. Z
4892 Palm Coast Parkway, “b C
Suite C, Palm Coast, Fl 32137 <4 BG
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ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT YOZ ae)
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YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the Department has imposed a Civil Penalty in the amount “<* :
of Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty Dollars ($9,950.00). As grounds for the imposition of
this penalty, the Department states the following:
1. The State of Florida, Department of Children and Families (DCF) has
jurisdiction over Respondent by virtue of the provisions of Sections 402.301 — 402.319, Florida
Statutes.
2. The Respondent, Fundamentals Child Care of Palm Coast, Ine., is licensed to
operate Fundamentals Child Care of Palm Coast, Inc. License #CO7FLO0006, located at 4892
Palm Coast Parkway, Suite C, Palm Coast, Fi 32137 as a Child Care Facility in compliance
with Chapter 402, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C), Rule 65C-
22.
Violation-1
3. During an inspection on May 21, 2009, a DCF Licensing Counselor
determined that:
On or about February 17, 2009 a 2 year old child left the premises of the day-care facility, and
walked alone next door to Sears. Approximately thirty (30) minutes later an employee from
Sears walked the child back to the facility. The child care staff had not noticed the child was
missing.
4. FAC Rule 65C-22.001 (5)(a)-(d), 65-22.001(6)(f), & 65C-22.007(2) states: A child was
not adequately supervised and left the facility premises without the knowledge or awareness of
staff. Pursuant to Florida Administrative Code rule 65C-22.001 (5){a)-(d), 65-22.001(8)f), &
65C-22.007(2), this is a Class 1 violation. Pursuant to Progressive Disciplinary Sanction
Summary #5, the fine for a Class 1 violation is not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00.
5. FAC Rule 65C-22.001(5)(a) Direct supervision means watching and directing
children’s activities within the same room or designated outdoor play area and responding to the
needs of each child. Child care personnel at a facility must be assigned to provide direct
supervision to a specific group of children and be present with that group of children at all times.
Pursuant to the Florida Administrative Code
6. Rule 65C-22.001 (5){a), this is a Class 1 violation. Pursuant to the Progressive
Disciplinary Sanctions Summary item #5, Supervision, the fine for this Class 1 violation is not
less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00. The facility shall be fined $500.00 for this Class 1
violation, due to child’s young age and the risk of serious harm.
Violation-H!
7. During an inspection on May 21, 2009, a DCF Licensing Counselor
determined that:
8. On or about February 17, 2009 Fundamentals Child Care of Palm Coast Inc. committed an
act of child neglect when a 2 year old child left the premises of the day-care facility, and walked
alone next door to Sears. An employee from Sears walked the child back to the facility thirty
approximately (30) minutes later.
9. FAC Rule Child Abuse or Neglect 65C-22.001 (11)(a). The owner, operator, employee
or substitute, while caring for children, committed an act or omission that meets the definition of
child abuse or neglect provided in Chapter 39, Florida Statutes. Pursuant to Florida
Administrative Code rule 65C-22.001 (11)(a) this is a Class 1 violation. Pursuant to Progressive
Disciplinary Sanction Summary #63, the fine for a Class 1 violation is not less than $100.00 nor
more than $500.00. The facility shall be fined $500.00 for this Class 1 violation due to the
seriousness and risk to the child.
Violation-lH
10. During an inspection on May 21, 2009, a DCF Licensing Counselor
determined that:
On February 17, 2009 a child left the premises of the day-care facility, and walked alone next
door to Sears. An employee from Sears walked the child back to the facility. The staff members of
the facility did not report the incident to the abuse hotline nor authorities. The incident occurred on
February 17, 2009 and the incident was not reported to the hotline until May 16, 2009.
11. FAC Rule Child Abuse or Neglect 65C-22.001 (11)(b). As a mandated reporter, the
owner, operator, employee or substitute failed to report suspected child abuse or neglect as
tequired in section 39.201, Florida Statutes. This is a Class 1 violation. Pursuant to the Florida
Administrative Code Rule 65C-22.001(11)(b), this is a Class 1 violation. Pursuant to the
Progressive Disciplinary Sanction Summary #63, the fine for a Class 1 violation is not less than
$100.00 nor more than $500 per day for each day not reported. The incident was not reported
for a total of 89 days, therefore the fine for this Class 1 violation is $8,900.00.
Violation-IV
12. During and inspection on July 7, 2009 a DCF Licensing Counselor determined that:
The facility did not have Background screening documents 65C22.006 (4), 435.04 and
435.05(1), Documentation of Level 2 Screening was missing for employee C.P on March 3,
2009 and law enforcement checks were not complete for employees G.K., K.R and M.V. and
were not on file on July 7, 2009.
13. FAC Rule 65C-22.006 (4) (d), Level 2 screening information documented which is
incorporated by reference. Pursuant to Florida Administrative Code Rule 65C-22.006(4\(d)
these are Class 2 violations. Pursuant to Progressive Disciplinary Sanction Summary Item #60,
Background screening documents, the fine for a second Class 2 violation is not less than
$50.00.
14. The above referenced violation constitutes grounds to levy this Civil Penalty
pursuant to ss.402.310(1)(a) and 402.310(4), Florida Statutes at the above referenced conduct
of Respondent constitutes a violation of the minimum standards, rules and regulations for the
operation of a Child Care Facility.
15. Payment of this fine can be made directly to the Department of Children and
Family Services. Payment may be made only via a money order or cashier's check. The
mailing address is: 5920 Arlington Expressway, P.O. Box 2417, Jacksonville, FL. 32231,
Attention: Child Care Licensure.
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
Please be advised that you do have the right to contest this Civil Penalty through an
administrative hearing pursuant to Section 120.57, Florida Statutes, but that you have
no more than twenty one (21) days from the date the Administrative Complaint is received to
initiate this formal review
This decision constitutes final agency action unless a person who is substantially affected by it
submits a written request for hearing that is received within twenty-one days from the date on
which he or she first receives this notice. The request for hearing must also meet the
requirements of Section 120.57, F.S., and either Rule 28-106.201 Florida Administrative Code
or else it will be dismissed as required by Section 120.569(2)(c), Florida Statutes.
The statute and rules require the written request for hearing to include the following
information:
1. The name and address of each agency affected and each agency's file or
identification number if known;
2. The name, address, and telephone number of the person who is asking for the hearing (the
petitioner);
3. The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner's representative, if any;
4. An explanation of how the petitioner's substantial interests are or will be affected by
the agency decision;
5. A statement of when and how the petitioner received notice of the agency decision;
6. A statement that the petitioner does not dispute the facts upon which the agency
relied but that it wants to exercise the right to be heard anyway OR a statement that the
petitioner does dispute the facts upon which the agency relied and a list of the facts in
dispute;
7. Aconcise statement of the facts as the petitioner perceives them to be, including
the specific facts set out by the agency that the petitioner wants the agency to
reverse or change;
8. Astatement of the specific rules or statutes that the petitioner believes requires the
agency to reverse or modify its decision; and
9. A statement specifying what action the petitioner wants the agency fo take in the
matter.
Failure to request a hearing in writing and within the time frames required in this notice or failure
to provide the information required by the law and rules governing requests for Chapter 120
hearings constitutes a complete waiver of any right that a substantially affected person may
have to challenge this decision.
The request must be received by the following persons at the following addresses on or before
twenty-one (21) days of the date on which this notice was first received by the person
requesting the hearing:
David Tucker Gregory D. Venz, Agency Clerk
Chief Legal Counsel Department of Children & Families
Department of Children & Families Office of the General Counsel!
P.O. Box 2417 1323 Winewood Blvd., Bidg. 1, Suite 407
Jacksonville, FL. 32231-0083 Tallahassee, FL. 32301
STATE OF FLORIDA,
DEPARTME OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
; AL
Pamela Buckham
Safety Program Manager
CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE
| HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been furnished
by U.S. Certified Mail, 7005 1820 0008 0152 2135 Return Receipt Requested, in accordance
with ss. 120.60(3), Florida Statutes (2005), this 19T bby of Ociober , 2009.
STATE OF FLORIDA,
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Paniela Buckham
Safety Program Manager
Docket for Case No: 09-006490
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Feb. 16, 2010 |
(Petitioner`s Proposed) Recommended Order filed.
|
Feb. 10, 2010 |
Transmittal letter from Claudia Llado forwarding Petitioner's Exhibits numbered 1-2, to the agency.
|
Feb. 08, 2010 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Feb. 08, 2010 |
Stipulation filed.
|
Feb. 03, 2010 |
Notice of Filing Department's Exhibits (exhibits not available for viewing).
|
Feb. 03, 2010 |
Agency's Witness List filed.
|
Dec. 11, 2009 |
Order Re-scheduling Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for February 8, 2010; 9:30 a.m.; Daytona Beach and Tallahassee, FL).
|
Dec. 09, 2009 |
Motion for Continuance of Hearing by Video Teleconference filed.
|
Dec. 04, 2009 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Dec. 04, 2009 |
Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for January 25, 2010; 1:00 p.m.; Daytona Beach and Tallahassee, FL).
|
Dec. 03, 2009 |
Agency's Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Nov. 24, 2009 |
Request for Formal Administrative Hearing filed.
|
Nov. 24, 2009 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Nov. 24, 2009 |
Notice (of Agency referral) filed.
|
Nov. 24, 2009 |
Initial Order.
|