10A NCAC 09 .1703 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN OF THE WORLD Facility ID: 71000119 Consultant: TAMMY ROSS Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2024 Number Present: 1 Completed Date: 7/11/2024 Age: From 1 To 1 Total Minutes: 90 Time In: 12:00 PM Time Out: 01:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s routine unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. Limited child care requirements pertinent to this visit type were monitored. This program currently operates with a Three Star License, issued July 23, 2018. Restrictions include: a capacity of 8, daytime and overnight care, max. of 5 preschool children at any time, children on ground level only and serves no more than 2 children under age one. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on January 11, 2024. As of July 8, 2024, your eighteen-month compliance history was 100%. Barbara Eakins, Owner/Operator, was present and available for consultation. There are five children enrolled at this facility; one preschool child was present today. Ms. Eakin’s grandson, age 13, was also present. All approved indoor and outdoor spaces were monitored today. Daily schedules were available for children. Activity plans were observed posted in the classroom. A variety of age-appropriate learning materials was observed in the classroom. Ms. Eakins has a room set up exclusively for child care. Appropriate toys and materials were observed in this area. A bathroom is located in close proximity of the child care room. The outdoor area is enclosed by a fence; children use this area for outdoor play. The fenced outdoor play area was not monitored today due to active precipitation. During today's visit child care requirements monitored for compliance include supervision, staff/child ratio, CPR and First Aid coverage, ITS-SIDS, Criminal Record Checks, storage of hazardous substances and medications, approved space, licensing requirements, staff, and program records, posting of the license, and other applicable requirements. There was one violation observed today. Violation must be corrected immediately. Continued compliance with applicable child care requirements is required at all times. Violation Number Comment Rule 1306 Operator has not completed ITS-SIDS training every three years from the completion date of the previous ITS-SIDS training. ITS-SIDS training for operator expired March 11, 2024 and has not been renewed. .1703(a)(4) In order for your facility to remain in compliance with NC Child Care Requirements, violations must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance must be received July 25, 2024, describing how this violation was corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. A time frame is established to allow you time for submitting your compliance letter. This timeframe is not intended to be used as a guide for correcting violations, as they should be corrected immediately. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at (910)824-1143 or you can email me at Tammy.Ross@dhhs.nc.gov. You may email me your verification or mail it to me at: Tammy Ross, Child Care Licensing Consultant, P.O. Box 278, Jacksonville, NC 28541 Technical assistance regarding violation cited: ITS-SIDS training must be renewed every three years on or before the expiration date. Your last documentation of completion of the required ITS-SIDS training was March 11. 2021; therefore, it expired March 11, 2024. You will need to enroll in an ITS-SIDS training course immediately. After successful completion, send a copy of your certificate to me for verification purposes. Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented during visits impact the compliance history score. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all of the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times whether or not they have been monitored or specifically discussed with you in the past. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. Reminders: You must update your Professional Development Plan and EPR plan annually. Emergency drills (shelter in place or lockdown) must be completed every three months. I strongly urge you to review Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1721 regarding requirements for records. Please pay close attention to the charts located in 10A NCAC 09 .1721(f)(4) which indicate how long records must be kept on file. I also suggest you utilize the checklists for staff files, children’s files and program records to ensure you have all required documents. These checklists are available on the DCDEE website under the Provider Documents tab. Rated License Reassessment Your facility’s three-year rated license reassessment was due to be completed in July 2021. As discussed with you during previous visits, DCDEE developed a 3-Cohort system. There are three cohorts, and each includes a preparation year and a reassessment year. Your facility had been placed in Cohort 1. Placement in this cohort meant you had from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, to plan and prepare for your reassessment, and your rated license reassessment to be completed between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. As discussed today, the hold harmless for rated license assessments has been extended. Therefore, you do not have to complete your rated license reassessment at this time unless you choose to. During today’s visit, Ms. Eakins expressed an interest in increasing to a 4 Star license. We discussed in depth the options available to increase her points in education and program standard. Ms. Eakins stated she is not interested in having the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale(FCCERS) completed at her facility but is currently enrolled in early childhood education(ECE) courses at a NC Community College. I explained to Ms. Eakins that in order to earn a 4 Star License without having the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scales (FCCERS) completed, she must earn 7 points in education which consists of having an associate’s degree. I also encouraged her to have the FCCERS completed and earn at least a score of 4.50, she can increase her points in program standards to qualify for a 4 Star License without an associate’s degree. We also discussed Early Educator Certification (EEC) information. Early Educator Certification (EEC) is open to all NC Early Educators working directly with children ages birth to twelve. There is a cost for certification. For more information- www.ncicdp.org/nc.html 919-942-7442 or email at- info@nceec.org Other Information Health and Safety Training - These training topics outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1703(b) must be completed within the first year of employment for new staff, with the exception of Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment – it must be completed within 90 days of hire. After initial completion of Health and Safety Trainings, they must be completed every five years. Use the Health and Safety Training Record which is found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms to track the completion of these trainings. You completed these trainings in May 2022; therefore, you will need to complete these trainings again by May 2027. Completing, refreshing, and updating the required Health and Safety Training increases your awareness and knowledge regarding child development and safety. Clean Classrooms for Kids Program - All child care program must have their water tested for lead and your building tested for lead and asbestos hazards. Facilities must be enrolled by November 1, 2024. State funds for mitigation are available through 2026, however, funds are limited so we recommend enrolling as soon as possible. You can work through the program in the way that works best for your facility. All three section enrollment surveys (lead in water, lead-based paint, and asbestos) must be completed. This program is an expansion of Clean Water for Carolina Kids, which previously tested all child care centers in the state for lead in water at drinking and food preparation taps. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years(centers) and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-leadbased-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa The information above is from https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/, which is also where you enroll in the program. Remember, centers must have their water tested every three years. Family child care homes, as of now, are only required to do it once, and the water testing must be completed by January 1, 2025. DPI Pre-K programs do not need to enroll separately as public schools will be tested as a whole. Please refer to the website if you have specific questions! Criminal Background Check Information - DCDEE launched the Provider Portal for ABCMS on February 1, 2024. This access will allow providers to see applicants that associate themselves with their facility and allow them to “hire” the applicant to their roster, see the real-time background check status of staff/household members, and run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. To gain access to the Provider Portal complete the ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training on DCDEE's Moodle. The training consists of watching a short video then taking a test about the video. A certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the test. Email the certificate along with your full name, position, and Facility ID to DCDEE_ABCMS_Provider@dhhs.nc.gov to get access to the portal. Access will then be granted within 2 business days. If you have general questions, please continue to use DHHS.CBC.Unit@dhhs.nc.gov. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. Continue to contact me with any questions or concerns at Tammy.Ross@dhhs.nc.gov and/or(910)824-1143. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

10A NCAC 09 .1721 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN OF THE WORLD Facility ID: 71000119 Consultant: TAMMY ROSS Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2024 Number Present: 1 Completed Date: 7/11/2024 Age: From 1 To 1 Total Minutes: 90 Time In: 12:00 PM Time Out: 01:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s routine unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. Limited child care requirements pertinent to this visit type were monitored. This program currently operates with a Three Star License, issued July 23, 2018. Restrictions include: a capacity of 8, daytime and overnight care, max. of 5 preschool children at any time, children on ground level only and serves no more than 2 children under age one. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on January 11, 2024. As of July 8, 2024, your eighteen-month compliance history was 100%. Barbara Eakins, Owner/Operator, was present and available for consultation. There are five children enrolled at this facility; one preschool child was present today. Ms. Eakin’s grandson, age 13, was also present. All approved indoor and outdoor spaces were monitored today. Daily schedules were available for children. Activity plans were observed posted in the classroom. A variety of age-appropriate learning materials was observed in the classroom. Ms. Eakins has a room set up exclusively for child care. Appropriate toys and materials were observed in this area. A bathroom is located in close proximity of the child care room. The outdoor area is enclosed by a fence; children use this area for outdoor play. The fenced outdoor play area was not monitored today due to active precipitation. During today's visit child care requirements monitored for compliance include supervision, staff/child ratio, CPR and First Aid coverage, ITS-SIDS, Criminal Record Checks, storage of hazardous substances and medications, approved space, licensing requirements, staff, and program records, posting of the license, and other applicable requirements. There was one violation observed today. Violation must be corrected immediately. Continued compliance with applicable child care requirements is required at all times. Violation Number Comment Rule 1306 Operator has not completed ITS-SIDS training every three years from the completion date of the previous ITS-SIDS training. ITS-SIDS training for operator expired March 11, 2024 and has not been renewed. .1703(a)(4) In order for your facility to remain in compliance with NC Child Care Requirements, violations must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance must be received July 25, 2024, describing how this violation was corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. A time frame is established to allow you time for submitting your compliance letter. This timeframe is not intended to be used as a guide for correcting violations, as they should be corrected immediately. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at (910)824-1143 or you can email me at Tammy.Ross@dhhs.nc.gov. You may email me your verification or mail it to me at: Tammy Ross, Child Care Licensing Consultant, P.O. Box 278, Jacksonville, NC 28541 Technical assistance regarding violation cited: ITS-SIDS training must be renewed every three years on or before the expiration date. Your last documentation of completion of the required ITS-SIDS training was March 11. 2021; therefore, it expired March 11, 2024. You will need to enroll in an ITS-SIDS training course immediately. After successful completion, send a copy of your certificate to me for verification purposes. Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented during visits impact the compliance history score. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all of the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times whether or not they have been monitored or specifically discussed with you in the past. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. Reminders: You must update your Professional Development Plan and EPR plan annually. Emergency drills (shelter in place or lockdown) must be completed every three months. I strongly urge you to review Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1721 regarding requirements for records. Please pay close attention to the charts located in 10A NCAC 09 .1721(f)(4) which indicate how long records must be kept on file. I also suggest you utilize the checklists for staff files, children’s files and program records to ensure you have all required documents. These checklists are available on the DCDEE website under the Provider Documents tab. Rated License Reassessment Your facility’s three-year rated license reassessment was due to be completed in July 2021. As discussed with you during previous visits, DCDEE developed a 3-Cohort system. There are three cohorts, and each includes a preparation year and a reassessment year. Your facility had been placed in Cohort 1. Placement in this cohort meant you had from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, to plan and prepare for your reassessment, and your rated license reassessment to be completed between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. As discussed today, the hold harmless for rated license assessments has been extended. Therefore, you do not have to complete your rated license reassessment at this time unless you choose to. During today’s visit, Ms. Eakins expressed an interest in increasing to a 4 Star license. We discussed in depth the options available to increase her points in education and program standard. Ms. Eakins stated she is not interested in having the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale(FCCERS) completed at her facility but is currently enrolled in early childhood education(ECE) courses at a NC Community College. I explained to Ms. Eakins that in order to earn a 4 Star License without having the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scales (FCCERS) completed, she must earn 7 points in education which consists of having an associate’s degree. I also encouraged her to have the FCCERS completed and earn at least a score of 4.50, she can increase her points in program standards to qualify for a 4 Star License without an associate’s degree. We also discussed Early Educator Certification (EEC) information. Early Educator Certification (EEC) is open to all NC Early Educators working directly with children ages birth to twelve. There is a cost for certification. For more information- www.ncicdp.org/nc.html 919-942-7442 or email at- info@nceec.org Other Information Health and Safety Training - These training topics outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1703(b) must be completed within the first year of employment for new staff, with the exception of Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment – it must be completed within 90 days of hire. After initial completion of Health and Safety Trainings, they must be completed every five years. Use the Health and Safety Training Record which is found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms to track the completion of these trainings. You completed these trainings in May 2022; therefore, you will need to complete these trainings again by May 2027. Completing, refreshing, and updating the required Health and Safety Training increases your awareness and knowledge regarding child development and safety. Clean Classrooms for Kids Program - All child care program must have their water tested for lead and your building tested for lead and asbestos hazards. Facilities must be enrolled by November 1, 2024. State funds for mitigation are available through 2026, however, funds are limited so we recommend enrolling as soon as possible. You can work through the program in the way that works best for your facility. All three section enrollment surveys (lead in water, lead-based paint, and asbestos) must be completed. This program is an expansion of Clean Water for Carolina Kids, which previously tested all child care centers in the state for lead in water at drinking and food preparation taps. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years(centers) and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-leadbased-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa The information above is from https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/, which is also where you enroll in the program. Remember, centers must have their water tested every three years. Family child care homes, as of now, are only required to do it once, and the water testing must be completed by January 1, 2025. DPI Pre-K programs do not need to enroll separately as public schools will be tested as a whole. Please refer to the website if you have specific questions! Criminal Background Check Information - DCDEE launched the Provider Portal for ABCMS on February 1, 2024. This access will allow providers to see applicants that associate themselves with their facility and allow them to “hire” the applicant to their roster, see the real-time background check status of staff/household members, and run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. To gain access to the Provider Portal complete the ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training on DCDEE's Moodle. The training consists of watching a short video then taking a test about the video. A certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the test. Email the certificate along with your full name, position, and Facility ID to DCDEE_ABCMS_Provider@dhhs.nc.gov to get access to the portal. Access will then be granted within 2 business days. If you have general questions, please continue to use DHHS.CBC.Unit@dhhs.nc.gov. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. Continue to contact me with any questions or concerns at Tammy.Ross@dhhs.nc.gov and/or(910)824-1143. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times

NC GS 110-90 · Violation

Name of Operation: CHILDREN OF THE WORLD Facility ID: 71000119 Consultant: TAMMY ROSS Operation Type: Family CC Home Case Number: Visit Date: 7/11/2024 Number Present: 1 Completed Date: 7/11/2024 Age: From 1 To 1 Total Minutes: 90 Time In: 12:00 PM Time Out: 01:30 PM Time In: Time Out: List to Use: Family CC Home Type Of Visit: Routine Unannounced Announced/Unannounced: Unannounced The purpose of today’s routine unannounced visit was to monitor compliance with applicable child care requirements. Limited child care requirements pertinent to this visit type were monitored. This program currently operates with a Three Star License, issued July 23, 2018. Restrictions include: a capacity of 8, daytime and overnight care, max. of 5 preschool children at any time, children on ground level only and serves no more than 2 children under age one. The last annual compliance visit was conducted on January 11, 2024. As of July 8, 2024, your eighteen-month compliance history was 100%. Barbara Eakins, Owner/Operator, was present and available for consultation. There are five children enrolled at this facility; one preschool child was present today. Ms. Eakin’s grandson, age 13, was also present. All approved indoor and outdoor spaces were monitored today. Daily schedules were available for children. Activity plans were observed posted in the classroom. A variety of age-appropriate learning materials was observed in the classroom. Ms. Eakins has a room set up exclusively for child care. Appropriate toys and materials were observed in this area. A bathroom is located in close proximity of the child care room. The outdoor area is enclosed by a fence; children use this area for outdoor play. The fenced outdoor play area was not monitored today due to active precipitation. During today's visit child care requirements monitored for compliance include supervision, staff/child ratio, CPR and First Aid coverage, ITS-SIDS, Criminal Record Checks, storage of hazardous substances and medications, approved space, licensing requirements, staff, and program records, posting of the license, and other applicable requirements. There was one violation observed today. Violation must be corrected immediately. Continued compliance with applicable child care requirements is required at all times. Violation Number Comment Rule 1306 Operator has not completed ITS-SIDS training every three years from the completion date of the previous ITS-SIDS training. ITS-SIDS training for operator expired March 11, 2024 and has not been renewed. .1703(a)(4) In order for your facility to remain in compliance with NC Child Care Requirements, violations must be corrected immediately. A signed and dated letter of compliance must be received July 25, 2024, describing how this violation was corrected and how compliance will be maintained in the future. A time frame is established to allow you time for submitting your compliance letter. This timeframe is not intended to be used as a guide for correcting violations, as they should be corrected immediately. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at (910)824-1143 or you can email me at Tammy.Ross@dhhs.nc.gov. You may email me your verification or mail it to me at: Tammy Ross, Child Care Licensing Consultant, P.O. Box 278, Jacksonville, NC 28541 Technical assistance regarding violation cited: ITS-SIDS training must be renewed every three years on or before the expiration date. Your last documentation of completion of the required ITS-SIDS training was March 11. 2021; therefore, it expired March 11, 2024. You will need to enroll in an ITS-SIDS training course immediately. After successful completion, send a copy of your certificate to me for verification purposes. Child Care programs are expected to achieve and maintain compliance at all times and are required by NC GS 110-90(4) (d) to achieve and maintain an eighteen-month compliance history score of at least seventy-five percent. Any violation(s) documented during visits impact the compliance history score. Child care licensing requirements are established to ensure a safe and healthy child care environment. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable of all of the licensing requirements that apply to your type of program. It is your responsibility to maintain compliance with all of the applicable laws and rules at all times whether or not they have been monitored or specifically discussed with you in the past. The best way for you to make sure that you are meeting all requirements is to periodically review the child care law and rules. Reminders: You must update your Professional Development Plan and EPR plan annually. Emergency drills (shelter in place or lockdown) must be completed every three months. I strongly urge you to review Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1721 regarding requirements for records. Please pay close attention to the charts located in 10A NCAC 09 .1721(f)(4) which indicate how long records must be kept on file. I also suggest you utilize the checklists for staff files, children’s files and program records to ensure you have all required documents. These checklists are available on the DCDEE website under the Provider Documents tab. Rated License Reassessment Your facility’s three-year rated license reassessment was due to be completed in July 2021. As discussed with you during previous visits, DCDEE developed a 3-Cohort system. There are three cohorts, and each includes a preparation year and a reassessment year. Your facility had been placed in Cohort 1. Placement in this cohort meant you had from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, to plan and prepare for your reassessment, and your rated license reassessment to be completed between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. As discussed today, the hold harmless for rated license assessments has been extended. Therefore, you do not have to complete your rated license reassessment at this time unless you choose to. During today’s visit, Ms. Eakins expressed an interest in increasing to a 4 Star license. We discussed in depth the options available to increase her points in education and program standard. Ms. Eakins stated she is not interested in having the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale(FCCERS) completed at her facility but is currently enrolled in early childhood education(ECE) courses at a NC Community College. I explained to Ms. Eakins that in order to earn a 4 Star License without having the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scales (FCCERS) completed, she must earn 7 points in education which consists of having an associate’s degree. I also encouraged her to have the FCCERS completed and earn at least a score of 4.50, she can increase her points in program standards to qualify for a 4 Star License without an associate’s degree. We also discussed Early Educator Certification (EEC) information. Early Educator Certification (EEC) is open to all NC Early Educators working directly with children ages birth to twelve. There is a cost for certification. For more information- www.ncicdp.org/nc.html 919-942-7442 or email at- info@nceec.org Other Information Health and Safety Training - These training topics outlined in Child Care Rule 10A NCAC 09 .1703(b) must be completed within the first year of employment for new staff, with the exception of Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment – it must be completed within 90 days of hire. After initial completion of Health and Safety Trainings, they must be completed every five years. Use the Health and Safety Training Record which is found on the DCDEE website under Provider Documents and Forms to track the completion of these trainings. You completed these trainings in May 2022; therefore, you will need to complete these trainings again by May 2027. Completing, refreshing, and updating the required Health and Safety Training increases your awareness and knowledge regarding child development and safety. Clean Classrooms for Kids Program - All child care program must have their water tested for lead and your building tested for lead and asbestos hazards. Facilities must be enrolled by November 1, 2024. State funds for mitigation are available through 2026, however, funds are limited so we recommend enrolling as soon as possible. You can work through the program in the way that works best for your facility. All three section enrollment surveys (lead in water, lead-based paint, and asbestos) must be completed. This program is an expansion of Clean Water for Carolina Kids, which previously tested all child care centers in the state for lead in water at drinking and food preparation taps. As this is a legislatively mandated effort, facilities are required to meet rule requirements to have tap water tested every three years(centers) and to have inspections for lead paint and asbestos if applicable. Please see steps below: 1. Sign Up – Pre-enrollment webinars are available at cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina or paste https://bit.ly/3CK-webinar into your web browser to see available dates and times for the next month. 2. Enroll – At www.cleanwaterforUSkids.org/carolina using the PIN and complete the enrollment surveys for three program sections: 1) lead in water, 2) lead-based paint, and 3) asbestos. 3. Evaluate Hazards - The program will ship your facility a water sample kit and may coordinate an on-site visit by a professional to assess lead-based paint and asbestos hazards, if needed. 4. Receive Results – Receive your results, recommendations, and water mitigation support, if needed. 5. Request Reimbursement - If you choose to conduct lead-based paint or asbestos mitigation, you can request reimbursement from NC DHHS. Visit the web site at: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-leadbased-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa The information above is from https://www.cleanwaterforuskids.org/en/carolina/, which is also where you enroll in the program. Remember, centers must have their water tested every three years. Family child care homes, as of now, are only required to do it once, and the water testing must be completed by January 1, 2025. DPI Pre-K programs do not need to enroll separately as public schools will be tested as a whole. Please refer to the website if you have specific questions! Criminal Background Check Information - DCDEE launched the Provider Portal for ABCMS on February 1, 2024. This access will allow providers to see applicants that associate themselves with their facility and allow them to “hire” the applicant to their roster, see the real-time background check status of staff/household members, and run a printable report of the staff roster to assist with compliance visits. To gain access to the Provider Portal complete the ABCMS Child Care Provider Portal Training on DCDEE's Moodle. The training consists of watching a short video then taking a test about the video. A certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the test. Email the certificate along with your full name, position, and Facility ID to DCDEE_ABCMS_Provider@dhhs.nc.gov to get access to the portal. Access will then be granted within 2 business days. If you have general questions, please continue to use DHHS.CBC.Unit@dhhs.nc.gov. Please remember it is your responsibility to comply with all child care rules and requirements at all times. Continue to contact me with any questions or concerns at Tammy.Ross@dhhs.nc.gov and/or(910)824-1143. If the operator fails to correct any documented violations within the established time period, the Division of Child Development and Early Education may deny, suspend, terminate, or revoke any permit to operate (10A NCAC 09 .2000). All information in this report has been reviewed with me today.I understand that it is my responsibility to maintaincompliance with applicable NC Child Care Requirements at all times