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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD - CHILD CARE COMPLIANCE

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION OF SUBSTANTIATED STATUTE OR RULE VIOLATIONS
Facility Information
Date of Report
11/15/2023 12:00:00 AM
DVN
003018951
Facility Name
RECESS TIME STEAM LEARNING AND CARE CENTER LLC
Facility Address
7340 SAINT CHARLES ROCK RD
City
ST LOUIS
Zip Code
63133-1738
Phone
(314) 267-9690
County
ST LOUIS
Assigned Specialist
FYFE, IAN
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.042(10) Background screening information received by the provider shall be retained in the individual's file in a confidential manner and available for review.
Conclusion Summary
On November 15, 2023, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that the facility does not do background checks on employees. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Ian Fyfe has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence: 5 CSR 25-500.042(10), which states the following: "Background screening information received by the provider shall be retained in the individual's file in a confidential manner and available for review." On November 29, 2023, Compliance Inspector (CI) Ian Fyfe conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility and interviewed staff members Lakendra Harrison and Diamond Wilson. Sometime during the week prior to the inspection, former staff member Ivyonna Morris quit working at the facility and removed multiple employee files from the facility. In addition to removing employee files from the facility, Ms. Morris deleted the facility's email address that the employee background checks and the Family Care Safety Registry (FCSR) screenings were sent to. Ms. Harrison exchanged text messages with Ms. Morris in which Ms. Morris refused to return the files and admitted to deleting the email address. Ms. Harrison, Ms. Wilson, and Tranae Williams were the three staff member present during the inspection. While Ms. Williams had a background check and FCSR screening present in her file, Ms. Wilson and Ms. Harrison did not. Ms. Wilson and Ms. Harrison informed CI Fyfe that they had previously completed background checks prior to their employment at the facility. Ms. Harrison has since filed a police report with Pagedale Police Department in an attempt to retrieve the removed documents. Ms. Harrison has failed to replace the missing documents in a timely manner. On November 29, 2023, CI Fyfe contacted Jacqueline Jones with the Pagedale Police Department. Ms. Jones confirmed that there is an active larceny investigation resulting from the reported concerns. CI Fyfe was unable to obtain a copy of the report, as the investigation is still ongoing, but received the following report number: 23-785. On December 12, 2023, CI Fyfe interviewed Director Fallon MacNeil. Ms. MacNeil denied the reported concerns. Ms. MacNeil completed a background check in October of 2023 prior to her beginning employment at the facility. On December 5, 2023, and on December 12, 2023, CI Fyfe attempted to interview Ivyonna Morris via phone call but was unsuccessful.
Corrective Measures
Corrective MeasureCompleted (Y/N)Completed Date
The facility shall notify all staff members of the violations which were substantiated, and specify the actions to be taken by all staff in order to comply with all licensing violations cited. A copy of the memo, letter, or staff meeting agenda(s) shall be submitted to the Office of Childhood. Y 3/5/2024 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
1/13/2024 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
CHRISCO, MARLA L