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Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham investigated the allegation that the facility's director, Gwendolyn Wrice, has withheld and delayed the payment of staff and is not able to maintain any of the newly hired teachers. Due to a high-demand for staff, they are being left alone with children without eligibility determinations. There are three female staff members that are currently working in the infant and toddler room(s) without being orientated or competing safe sleep child care training. This allegation is substantiated based on the following rule violations.
5 CSR 25-600.020(1) which states: "Prior to the employment or presence of a child care staff member in a licensed, regulated, or registered child care facility not exempted by section 210.1080.13, RSMo, the child care provider shall request the results of a criminal background check for such child care staff member from the department."
On July 10, 2024, CI Graham reviewed eligibility letters for all caregivers. Gwendolyn Wrice, director, stated that there were only two caregivers working that did not have their letters back yet. The caregivers are Tiffany Pruitt and Anijay McAlister. These were the only two caregivers that were missing letters in their files.
5 CSR 25-500.102(4)(A) which states: "Every three (3) years, the child care provider, group child care home provider, child care staff members, and volunteers in a group child care home or child care center licensed to provide care for infants less than one (1) year of age shall successfully complete department-approved training regarding the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safe sleep recommendations contained in the American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement on sleep-related infant deaths. The Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment, July 2022, is incorporated by reference in this rule, as published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and available at https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/1/e2022057990/188304/Sleep-Related-Infant-Deaths-Updated-2022 or as published in PEDIATRICS Volume 150, Issue 1, July 2022. A copy can also be obtained from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Childhood, 205 Jefferson Street, PO Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480 and at https://dese.mo.gov/governmental-affairs/deseadministrativerules/incorporated-reference-materials. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions."
CI Graham reviewed training reports for all caregivers and Cameron Wrice did not have a current safe sleep training on file. All other caregivers were up to date.
All caregivers at the center had an orientation on file.
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