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On August 10, 2024 the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging "Parents aren't being told their children have been exposed to COVID." After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Caylin Mertz has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence and rule violation:
5 CSR 25-500.192(2)(B) which states "Each child's parent(s) shall be notified immediately when any contagious disease occurs in the facility."
On August 19, 2024 CI Caylin Mertz conducted an unannounced inspection and walkthrough at the facility. CI Mertz interviewed Director Melissa Freres, Assistant Director Caroline Steib, Assistant Director Kaitlyn Hanks and Caregiver Delaney Posey. Director Melissa indicated that four employees tested positive for COVID on August 5, 2024 and three of those employees had been at the facility that day. Kaitlyn and Caroline were both aware of the children being exposed to COVID on August 5, 2024. Melissa, Caroline, Kaitlyn and Delaney all reported that parents were not notified of the COVID exposure until August 8, 2024. CI Mertz observed a Sprout About Message dated August 8, 2024 indicating children had been exposed to COVID.
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