Community Connections at Berlin

Regulation 5.11: The licensee shall ensure that any new individuals regularly present at the Afterschool Child Care Program submit a Records Check Authorization form to the Division prior to working with children in the Afterschool Child Care Program.

“Staff A was present and working with children during the visit, they are not listed on the associated parties as an employee. Staff A is listed on the associated parties list for another Community Connections program. It is required that a record check is processed for each Community Connections program as they each operate under a seperate license. Corrective Action: Please submit a record check authorization form for Staff A. As discussed it may make sense to submit multi site record checks if the program plans to use a staff member at more than one location. Moving forward please set up a system that will ensure record checks are submitted on or prior to the date a staff member works at the program. The program shall review their BFIS account and ensure it accurately reflects who is working at the program.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 30, 2025

Regulation 18.77: Within six months of the initial date of employment, Staff working with children and the Site Director and/or Program Administrator shall maintain an up-to-date BFIS Quality and Credential Account. Documentation, verification of qualifications and all annual professional development activities as specified in the rules in Section 5 of these regulations shall be submitted to NLCDC to be verified and maintained in BFIS.

“Two staff were missing current CPR cards in BFIS; Two staff had not submitted their professional development hours for 2024. Those same two staff have no recorded professional development for 2023. During your visit last year you were informed that if these accounts were not current you would be cited in violation. Corrective Action: Develop a system with your staff, to ensure that they are submitting the correct/required documents of trainings and qualifications to BFIS on an ongoing basis throughout the year.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 7, 2025

Regulation 4.2: A complete file for each enrolled child including youth Volunteers or leaders-in-training who are 13, 14, or 15 year olds shall be available on site, be updated annually, and, contain the following documentation in either hard copy or accessible and printable electronic format: * completed child's registration form which is signed and dated by the parent or legal guardian * child's complete name and birth date * full name of parent(s), address(es) and home and daytime (if applicable) telephone numbers * any legal documents necessary to define custodial rights or legal guardianship of the child * name, address, and home and daytime telephone numbers of two persons to contact in an emergency if a parent cannot be reached * name and telephone number of child's health care providers, including dentist, if any * description of child's health history, current medications, allergies, special dietary requirements and other identified special need(s) * dated copies of any accident, illness or injury reports * signed permission by parent to authorize: i. emergency medical care ii. field trips and associated transportation (if provided) iii. persons who can remove child from program, including telephone numbers

“At least two (2) or more required items are missing from 4 (four) of the 7 (seven) children's files that were reviewed for completion. Corrective Action: Review each child's files for all required documents listed in regulations, and gather this from the families.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 1, 2025

Regulation 10.9: Emergency evacuations shall be practiced with the children each month. A record of practice drills for the previous and current year shall be maintained and available onsite. Practice drills may be pre-announced. There shall be: * a system in place to assure that all children are accounted for at a predetermined safe place; * a safety plan that may include additional lock down practices and procedures.

“The evacuation drill logs for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years were reviewed and it was noted that the last time an evacuation drill was recorded was in September of 2022. Director stated that monthly evacuations are conducted but she has forgotten to document them. Corrective Action: Evacuation drills must be recorded when they are conducted. Please create a system that will remind staff to document the drills. Please send me an email describing how staff will remember to document evacuation drills.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 21, 2023

Regulation 5.27: At least one Staff person who holds a current CPR card in rescue breathing, and airway obstruction shall be present at all times.

“Staff A who was the only program staff present for 20 minutes and was the opening staff member the day of the visit, does not have valid First Aid and CPR certification. Corrective Action: There shall be at least one staff member present during the hours of operation who has valid First Aid and CPR certification. Please email this licensor once Staff A has completed First Aid and CPR training, ensure at least one staff member on site has First Aid and CPR training moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 18, 2023

Regulation 5.14: The licensee shall ensure that no person shall be left alone with children without approval from the Division which shall be based on the results of the background check to include fingerprinting.

“Staff A has not completed the fingerprint supported background check through the Child Development Division and was left alone with children. Staff A was alone with children for 20 minutes before a staff member who has completed a fingerprint supported background check arrived at the program. Corrective Action: No staff member may be left alone with children prior to the Child Development Division receiving the results of a fingerprint supported background check. Immediately adjust the staff schedule so that Staff A is not alone. Email this licensor with the steps that will be taken to ensure that staff without fingerprint results will not be left alone with children.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 18, 2023

Regulation 10.9: Emergency evacuations shall be practiced with the children each month. A record of practice drills for the previous and current year shall be maintained and available onsite. Practice drills may be pre-announced. There shall be: * a system in place to assure that all children are accounted for at a predetermined safe place; * a safety plan that may include additional lock down practices and procedures.

“When this licensor asked for the evacuation log staff stated that evacuation drills have not been practiced since the program stopped providing afternoon care. The program has only been operating in the mornings since September of 2022. Corrective Action: If children are in care evacuations will be practiced monthly. Evacuations during the school day do not count as evacuations for this program. Evacuations will be practiced regardless of the schedule change at the program. The program will practice 2 evacuations for the month of February and March. A program improvement plan is required as this violation was previously cited in 2015 and 2016. The plan will identify who will be in charge of ensuring monthly evacuations are practiced and documented. The plan will also require a statement confirming that the program administrator has had a conversation with program staff and the directoe about this violation and the expectations moving forward.”

Correction date in the state record: Jan 18, 2023

Regulation 18.52: The Licensee shall notify the Division prior to any of the following planned changes. The Division shall determine whether to modify a current license or to require the Licensee to submit an application for a new license.

“A group of children are present and using a classroom for Homework Club that has not been approved as licensed space. Corrective Action: Prior to use of this classroom as licensed space an inspection of the classroom must occur.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 1, 2016

Regulation 5.4: Afterschool Child Care Program Staff that work in the Afterschool Child Care Program are required to have at least one of the following within the first year of employment: * Vermont Afterschool Foundations Certificate or * Vermont Afterschool Essentials Certificate or * Vermont On-the-Job Training Certificate or * Vermont Afterschool Professional Credential or * Vermont Program Director Credential or * Vermont Teacher Licensure or * BA/BS or Associates degree

“A staff person employed at the facility since January of 2015 has no documentation present or in their credential account attesting to qualifications. Corrective Action: Obtain the documentation or submit a Program Improvement Plan with time frames for completion. The plan will address how the staff person will come into compliance with the rule. The plan shall be submitted for review no later than 11/28/16.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 1, 2016

Regulation 5.22: The Licensee shall maintain hard copy or accessible electronic records for each Staff person, including: * start date * job title * record of education, training, and experience that demonstrates how the Staff member meets the required qualifications for the position * signed and dated statement(s) indicating that the employee has read and understands the Licensing Regulations for Afterschool Child Care Programs * current and dated Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) * a copy of the current First Aid and CPR training cards from either the American Red Cross or American Heart Association or other recognized organization(s), as required * a signed and dated statement verifying understanding of the legal requirement to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

“Deeann reports staff files are not on site for all staff. Documentation present is incomplete. There is no legally notarized affidavit onsite and available for review. Corrective Action: Upon hire obtain all documentation required by Rule and place in individual staff files. The files shall be on site and complete with all required documentation unless the program is in compliance with Rule 5.23.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 1, 2016

Regulation 8.12: At least one adult shall sit with children during snacks and meals.

“Two groups of children had snack at tables without a staff person sitting with them. One group had one staff person sit at the table briefly however the staff person sat with their back to the children while supervising the larger group. Corrective Action: Staff shall sit with children during meals and snacks.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 1, 2016

Regulation 10.9: Emergency evacuations shall be practiced with the children each month. A record of practice drills for the previous and current year shall be maintained and available onsite. Practice drills may be pre-announced. There shall be: * a system in place to assure that all children are accounted for at a predetermined safe place; * a safety plan that may include additional lock down practices and procedures.

“Deeann reports an emergency evacuation was completed in September with no evacuation for October. Corrective Action: Complete and record two evacuations in November to come into compliance with this rule.”

Correction date in the state record: Dec 1, 2016