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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
6/9/2025 12:00:00 AM
DVN
002990974
Facility Name
JOURNEY WITH ME LEARNING ACADEMY LLC
Facility Address
113 NW 191ST RD
City
WARRENSBURG
Zip Code
64093-7673
Phone
(660) 362-0078
County
JOHNSON
Assigned Specialist
EDDINS, COLE
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-600.020 (2)(B) The prospective child care staff member has received notice from the department that the individual is temporarily eligible for employment or presence in a child care setting based on the qualifying results of either a Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint check or a search of the Missouri criminal registry or repository with the use of fingerprints. Pending completion of the criminal background check, an individual working with a temporary eligibility notice shall be supervised at all times by a child care staff member who received a qualifying result on the criminal background check within the past five (5) years.
Conclusion Summary
On June 9, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that Mr. Bryan does not have an approved eligibility letter. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations, which occurred at the facility: 5 CSR 25-600.020 (2)(B) which state: "The prospective child care staff member has received notice from the department that the individual is temporarily eligible for employment or presence in a child care setting based on the qualifying results of either a Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint check or a search of the Missouri criminal registry or repository with the use of fingerprints. Pending completion of the criminal background check, an individual working with a temporary eligibility notice shall be supervised at all times by a child care staff member who received a qualifying result on the criminal background check within the past five (5) years." On June 10, 2025, CI Eddins completed an unannounced inspection and interviewed Caregiver Brian Rivera and LLC Member Princess Harris. Brian stated that he usually worked with another caregiver, but there were a few days out of the week that he would have to work alone for several hours out of the day. Princess stated that Brian does have a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education-approved eligibility letter on file. Brian's eligibility letter is temporary and is in effect from May 5, 2025, through October 26, 2025. Brian is allowed to work at the facility, but due to his temporary eligibility letter, he is not allowed to work alone. She admitted that Brian normally works with another caregiver who had received their final determination of eligibility, but there have been some days when he has worked alone. On June 10, 2025, 2025, CI Eddins conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed Brian's eligibility letter that was sent to Princess on May 5, 2025, stating that the letter of eligibility was temporary, pending the results of the clearance(s) for the other state(s) where Brian has lived within the past five years. The letter also stated that Brian will need to be supervised by someone who has received their final determination of eligibility and that Brian's temporary eligibility letter would expire on October 26, 2025. CI Eddins observed Brian working alone with eight children ages 3 to 4 years old.
Corrective Measures
Corrective MeasureCompleted (Y/N)Completed Date
The facility shall notify all caregivers (paid employees and paid or unpaid volunteers) of the violations which were substantiated and specify the actions to be taken by all caregivers, in order to comply with all violations cited. A copy of the memo, letter, or meeting agenda shall be submitted to the Office of Childhood. Y 1/23/2026 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
7/29/2025 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA