The Minnesota Department of Human Services (MDHS) cited a childcare program run by Cook County Community YMCA for neglect of a child.
Based on findings presented to MDHS by Cook County Public Health & Human Services, the MDHS commissioner ordered the YMCA to pay a $1,000 fine and placed the YMCA license to practice family childcare on conditional status for one year.
Last December 12, 2016, Cook County Health & Human Services (PH&HS) notified the Duluth Area Family YMCA that the Busy Bees Child Care facility was found responsible for maltreatment (neglect) of a child and had the “right to request consideration”.
An application for consideration of the maltreatment claim was never submitted, and the fine of $1,000 was paid.
In the case made to MDHS, Cook County PH&HS investigated a report that a child in the Busy Bees program had left the playground without the knowledge of the facility staff person and was found by a community member. Additionally, Cook County PH&HS determined that there was a failure to provide required supervision to the toddler.
The incident was immediately reported to Cook County, and the YMCA ceased all off-site field trips until at least two staff members attended a Supervising for Safety class. Those staff members also received training for emergency procedures and attended in-service training specific to supervision. All YMCA childcare staff was also mandated to take on-the-job training specific to the supervision of children.
Neglect, as defined by MDHS is, “Failure to protect a child from conditions or actions that seriously endanger the child’s physical or mental health when reasonably able to do so;” and “Failure to provide for necessary supervision or child care arrangements appropriate for a child after considering factors as the child’s age, mental ability, physical condition, length, absence, or environment, when the child is unable to care for the child’s own basic needs to safety, or the basic needs or safety of another child in their care.”
In order to receive a conditional child care license the MDHS commissioner set the following terms: Busy Bees Child Care must follow and comply with all applicable Minnesota rules and laws; no variances to age distribution or capacity will be granted during the conditional period; Busy Bees Child Care must submit and comply with a detailed, written plan for supervision of children in the Busy Bees Child Care Program. The plan must address how caregivers will provide the required supervision to children at all times both indoors and outdoors and how caregivers will be trained using the instructions. The plan was submitted to Cook County PH&HS by February 28, 2017.
And last, a copy of the Order to Pay a Fine and Order of Conditional License was provided to parents of children in care, or it had to be documented that all parents were given an opportunity to review the order. Following a review of the order, the parents of each child currently enrolled had to sign off that they had been given an opportunity to review the order.
Citing Minnesota Statutes, Section 245A.07, Subdivision 5 and Section 245A.06, Subdivision 8, MDHS said the order to pay a fine and conditional licensing action must be placed in a conspicuous place for the people receiving the child care services and to all visitors to the facility for two years.
When contacted, Emily Marshall, branch executive director of the Cook County Community YMCA released the following statement, “The safety and security of our members, guests and staff is a top priority of the YMCA.
“On November 9, 2016, an incident occurred which resulted in actions taken by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Immediately following that incident, the YMCA reported the situation to the licensing authority. The YMCA also immediately notified all families of the daycare of the incident and steps were taken to review policy and ensure procedures exist to provide the safest environment possible.”
While the Y is being held accountable in this case, there has been at least one other case of a child that was left unattended and walked home from a summer camp. More on that next week.
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