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Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Graham investigated the allegation that on February 24, 2025,, Child A (age 9) discussed self-harm at the program. The staff at the program failed to notify the parents. The parents did not receive notification until the next day from the school counselor. This allegation is substantiated based on the following rule violation.
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(E)., which states: "Caregivers shall have knowledge of the needs of children and shall be sensitive to the capabilities, interests, and problems of children in care."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.192(5)(A)., which states: "In case of accident or injury to a child, the provider shall notify the parent(s) immediately. If the child requires emergency medical care, the provider shall follow the parent's(s') written instructions."
On March 3, 2025, director Kayla Mize said that she was called by Lacey Smith, site director, on the evening of February 11, 2025, and was told that Child A had talked about hurting herself and wanting to die to caregiver Olivia Matekci while at the facility. Kayla assumed that Parent A was told about the conversation when she picked up Child A that evening. The next morning Kayla told the school counselor about the incident. She then found out that Parent A was never told about the incident.
On March 10, 2025, Olivia Smith, caregiver, said that Child A was talking to her about wanting to kill herself or hurt herself while they were outside on February 11, 2025. She reported this conversation to Lacey Smith, site director, because she was not sure what to do. She knew that Lacey called Kayla and told her about the incident. No one spoke to Parent A when Child A was picked up that afternoon.
On March 3, 2025, CI Graham received a written statement from Lacey Smith, site director, and it stated:
"On February 24th, at 5:38 pm, it was brought to my attention that Child A had been making comments that needed to be addressed further. It was said that she was talking about wanting to hurt herself about a week ago, and on the 24th was talking about death and suicide, saying "sometimes I just want to kill myself" I was not told until after she had already been picked up from after school, and with this information I reached out to my boss at 5:39 pm."
Lacey Smith
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