• Violation

  R 400.8125 · R 400.8125 Staff; volunteer; requirements. (1) All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times. ...................... ........................ .....

  I attempted an unannounced on-site inspection at the facility on 09/03/2021 at approximately 11:00 AM. The facility was closed. I e-mailed Licensee Designee, Donya Amstutz on that same day requesting information regarding the allegations. Ms. Amstutz stated that there were two staff at the facility that tested positive for Covid-19 and the center was closed. The earliest the center would open again would be Wednesday, 09/08/2021 pending negative Covid-19 test results and proper staffing. Ms. Amstutz stated that the facility had also been professionally cleaned and sanitized. Ms. Amstutz provided me with a letter from Stanley Steemer confirming that the facility was professionally cleaned on 09/02/2021. I made an unannounced on-site inspection to the facility on 10/20/2021 at approximately, 12:28 PM. I interviewed staff members, Sanford Gomez, Leticia Diaz, Nernida Delgado, Maribel Banda, Selena Contreres, Emma Morris and Aibleni Hernandez. Mr. Gomez explained that the facility has a screening tool called Go Canvas. Staff use the screening tool before reporting to work to determine if there are any concerns with possibly having Covid-19. On 09/01/2021, staff Maritza Razo did not pass the screening test and therefore did not report to work that day. Staff, Selena Contreres, who works in the Infant Room, passed the screening test, and reported to work on 09/01/2021. Ms. Contreres reported that her body was sore but thought that it was because she had exercised earlier. Ms. Razo and Ms. Contreres took a rapid Covid-19 test on 09/01/2021 at approximately 11:30 AM. Both of their tests came back positive on that same day at approximately 1:00 PM. As soon as Ms. Razo and Ms. Contreres received their results, they both contacted Program Director, Renee Gentry. Ms. Gentry then contacted Administrator, Holly Freeman, who contacted Deputy Director, Sheila Jelsema. Ms. Gentry also contacted Berrien County Health Department. The facility did not open back up until 09/06/2021, with staff only. Children were allowed to come back to the facility on 09/07/2021. The Infant Room, where Ms. Contreres worked, remained closed until 09/16/2021. Mr. Gomez stated that a letter was also sent to all of the parents letting them know that two staff tested positive for Covid-19. Staff, Leticia Diaz, Nernida Delgado, Maribel Banda, Selena Contreres, Emma Morris and Aibleni Hernandez confirmed Mr. Gomez's account of the incident. Mr. Delgado, Ms. Banda, Ms. Morris and Ms. Hernandez were also tested for Covid-19 because they had been directly or indirectly exposed to staff that tested positive. All of their results were negative. On 10/27/2021, I made contacted Child A's Mother, Child B's Mother, Child C's Mother and Child D's Mother. None of the parents had any concerns. 3

Positive Covid-19 staff were allowed to work in the facility while children were present.

Disposition: Substantiated