Child Care Concern/Sentinel Event 620-01-115-01

(Revised 3/20/12 ML #3317)

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All concerns received regarding an early childhood services program must be documented on an SFN 1269 form and investigated.

 

Upon receipt of a report of a concern, the authorized agent shall:

 

  1. Complete an SFN 1269 and immediately send a copy of the SFN 1269 to the regional office.

 

  1. This report must be typed, not handwritten, and sent electronically to the regional office. If the regional supervisor is not available, and there is a potential for the report to be a sentinel event, then the authorized agent shall also send the report to the ECS Administrator at the central office.

 

  1. Complete an SFN 960, Report of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect if the authorized agent suspects that the incident is a result of child abuse or neglect. The authorized agent may consult with the regional office if there are questions.

 

  1. Investigate the concern, staff investigative information with the regional office, and issue appropriate corrective action.

 

  1. Work collaboratively with CPS and law enforcement, if those agencies are involved in the investigation. CPS or law enforcement will take the lead on joint investigations.

 

  1. Complete Part II of the SFN 1269 and submit electronically to regional office upon completion of the investigation of the concern. Send any supporting documentation (narrative correction order, follow-up letter).

 

The regional office shall:

 

  1. Forward the electronic version of the reports to the central office, if the concern has resulted in a CPS assessment.

 

  1. Provide guidance to the authorized agent conducting the investigation of the concern.

 

  1. Determine whether incident is a sentinel event:

 

“Sentinel event” has been defined as “Any unexpected occurrence involving death or serious physical or psychological injury or risk thereof that is not related to the natural course of the individual’s illness or underlying condition. Serious injury specifically includes inappropriate sexual contact.” The phrase “or risk thereof” includes any process variation for which a recurrence would carry a significant chance of a serious adverse outcome. They signal the need for immediate investigation and response. Sentinel events in child care will include, but may not be limited to:

 

  1. Incidents that involve law enforcement

 

  1. Deaths

 

  1. Injuries that require medical attention and are suspected to be the result of a licensing violation

 

If the regional supervisor is unsure of whether or not an incident is a sentinel event, the central office should be consulted.

 

If the incident is determined to be a sentinel event, the regional office shall:

  1. Complete SFN 50508 and submit to Risk Management,

 

  1. Immediately send email with “sentinel event” in the subject line to DHS Executive Director, DHS Public Relations, Director of CFS, ECS Administrator, Director of Legal Advisory Unit, DHS Risk Manager, and the Risk Manager at the regional office. The email should contain as much information as you have at the time about the incident.

 

  1. Enter the concern information on the Q Drive files.

 

 

The central office shall:

 

  1. Provide guidance to regional office and authorized agent in addressing serious concerns.

 

  1. Review Q Drive files periodically.

 

  1. Maintain an electronic file of all the SFN 1269 reports submitted to the central office, and submit reports to DHS Risk Manager if requested.