Time Required:

1.

Timeframes for processing new applications is 120 days, renewal applications 150 days, and license changes 75 days.

2.

Processing a Statement of Deficiencies (SOD) resulting from a survey or complaint investigation may take up to 10 days.

3.

Facilities have 10 days following receipt of a Statement of Deficiencies to request an informal dispute resolution meeting, and 30 days following an Enforcement Decision by the Department to appeal for an administrative hearing.

Surveys and Investigations:

Child care centers are routinely surveyed annually; small group homes are routinely surveyed semi-annually. Additional surveys may be required when a center adds or changes services and capacities. All complaints alleging violations of rules or statutes are investigated; a survey is conducted if necessary for the investigation.

Informal Dispute Resolutions and Appeals:

1.

Informal dispute resolutions: A provider may request in writing to dispute one or more findings in a Statement of Deficiencies. Possible resolutions to this request may be: upholding the finding(s), modifying the finding(s), or removing the finding(s).

2.

Appeal: A provider may appeal an adverse decision by the Department resulting from a Statement of Deficiencies to a hearing before an Administrative Judge. The Administrative Judge may recommend to the Director of the Department of Health Services that the Department’s decision be upheld, modified, or disapproved.

Plan of Corrections (POC):

A provider has 10 days following receipt of a Statement of Deficiencies to submit a Plan of Corrections (also called a Written Document of Corrections or WDOC), which includes for each deficiency: date the correction was or will be made; how the deficiency was resolved; how the problem will be prevented in the future; and name of the individual responsible for resolving the deficiency.

Public Files:

Each Child Care Office maintains files available for public review that include copies of applications and supporting documents, licenses, inspection and complaint investigation reports, Statements of Deficiencies, Plans of Correction, and other public non-confidential information. These may be viewed at the office, faxed, or mailed (25 cents per page). Any confidential information has been removed from public files.