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Helping Hand Home for Children

Child care center · 3804 AVENUE B, Austin, TX 78751-4906 · License 66232

0Compliance score
Poor

Capacity 41. 4-13

Violation history (500)

SeverityDateStandard / narrativeCorrected
3 748.151(3) - Operational responsibilities - Maintain current, true, accurate, and complete records
In reviewing documentation required areas were missing.
5 748.1531(a)(2) - Medical care-A child in care must receive medical care as needed for injury, illness, and pain
A child in care exhibited signs of an injury and did not receive medical care for about 14 hours after the injury occurred.
2 748.363(14) - Personnel records-Include date and reason for the person's separation from the operation, if applicable
One of four records reviewed was missing the date and the reason for separation in the personnel record.
1 748.1339(c) - Initial Service Plan-Child & parent must be invited to meeting to develop service plan & discuss participation in childhood activities
One of four child records reviewed showed the child participated in the service plan on 1/10/24 which is after the service plan meeting took place. The service plan meeting was completed on 1/4/24. The remaining three child records reviewed did not have a date indicating child participation.
5 745.635(3) - AP Background ck determination - If provisionally eligible w/conditions or eligible w/conditions you must restrict duties per conditions/restrictions
After conducting the investigation, it was found that there were two staff with a provisional background check with conditions set by CBCU. The two staff were left alone with children in care during their shifts and also administered medications to children in care during their shift(s). One of the two staff worked on and administered meds to the child involved on 1/11/22 and 1/18/22 and the other staff worked on and administered meds to child involved on 2/4/22. Both staff initials are on the med logs (MAR) provided by the operation.
5 745.641 - AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation
During the inspection, a caregiver had contact with children on 10/30/23 but did not have an eligible background check until 11/7/23.
3 748.2151(c)(3) - Medication record - must include reason medication was prescribed, for prescription medication
During the course of the investigation, it was discovered May records for a child were shredded.
3 748.151(3) - Operational responsibilities - Maintain current, true, accurate, and complete records
Two Medication Administration Records were provided for March 2023. One was provided in April and one in May 2023, which noted altered documentation.
4 748.2203(c) - Medication Error-Operation must meet documentation requirements within 24 hrs
There is sufficient evidence to show that staff on at least three occasions failed to completed the appropriate documentation after a medical error occurred.
5 748.1101(b)(1)(B) - Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
A caregiver failed to adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation as defined in Texas Family Code 261.401 after failing to get timely medical care for a child who had dislocated their hip.
4 748.685(c)(1) - Caregiver responsibility - be aware of children's habits, interests, and any special needs including supervision
Through interviews and documentation reviewed, staff were not following an active safety plan of 1:1 supervision for a child in care.
3 748.2855(a) - EBI Documentation-Caregiver must document EBI in child's record as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours after initiation of the intervention
It was found during the investigation an escort and a restraint occurred that were not documented.
1 748.1341(a) - Initial Service Plan-Must give the child's parent(s) at least two weeks advance notice of the meeting
When reviewing 4 service plan notifications for 3 children in care, 3 notifications weren't sent timely to notify parents.
4 748.869(c) - Training on administering psych. medication must be instructor-led. The instructor must be a health-care professional or pharmacist.
During the follow up inspection on 4/18/23 it was found that the facility had not determined a plan to have a qualified medical professional conduct the training.
4 748.2151(d) - Medication Record-must include accurate daily count of each prescribed medication, unless operate on a cottage home model
After reviewing multiple Medication Administration records, Medication Inventory records, and Drug Count Sheets, it was determined that there were multiple errors in the total number of doses remaining.
4 748.869(c) - Training on administering psych. medication must be instructor-led. The instructor must be a health-care professional or pharmacist.
During the review of Medication Training it was found the trainer did not have Medical Training.
4 748.2551(a) - EBI Implementation-Must be an appropriate response to the behavior demonstrated, and de-escalation must have failed
Due to the information gathered throughout the investigation, a child in care who was kicking a bean bag and talking to staff was then subjected to an unapproved EBI without providing de-escalation. The incident did not arise to an emergency situation that warranted an EBI.
4 748.303(a)(2)(A) - AP Serious Incdt-Report to Licensing no later than 24 hours after injury/illness that warrants treatment by a medical professional or hospitalization
When reviewing documentation, it was determined that a child in care received medical care, and this wasn't reported until 28 hours later.
4 748.2551(b)(2) - EBI Implementation-The caregiver must consider the permitted types of emergency behavior intervention
During the investigation, a caregiver admitted to utilizing an inappropriate EBI when she pulled a child by the wrists to his room when he dropped to the floor. There were no injuries.
3 748.2855(a)(2) - EBI Documentation-Must include a description and assessment of the circumstances and specific behaviors that were the basis for EBI
Staff failed to document a complete assessment of circumstances that led to a restraint not providing appropriate rational for the restraint.
3 748.151(3) - Operational responsibilities - Maintain current, true, accurate, and complete records
At the time of the inspection, documentation required to be in the chart was unable to be located in the electronic record. Some documentation had to be printed from and provided to the inspector as it was also not in the paper file.
3 748.505(b)(5) - Minimum qualifications for employees- Must complete a Pre-Employment Affidavit for Applicants for Employment.
3 of 3 files were missing the pre-employment affidavit.
5 745.641 - AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation
A direct care staff was in the care of children with a pending background check.
5 748.2461(a)(2) - Short Personal Restraint-Caregiver must use minimal amount of reasonable and necessary physical force
Review of the video showed the child was grabbed by the arm in an abrupt manner and put into the corner.
3 748.3301(a)(2) - Physical Site- Buildings must be clean and in good repair.
During the walkthrough of the facility, a corner piece of the wall next to the window had excessive paint peeling and exposed support frame.
4 748.2003(b)(3) - AP Administration of prescription medication-Administer medications according to instructions or a prescribing health-care professional's orders
During the investigation, it was found that the child was not administered one of their doses of prescription medication antibiotic suspension for their injury on 8/10/23 as ordered by the doctor for the knee cut.
3 748.2151(c)(3) - Medication record - must include reason medication was prescribed, for prescription medication
A child's medication log did not have the reason the medication was prescribed.
1 748.1341(b) - Initial Service Plan-Child's record must include documentation of advance notice to parents of planning meeting and any responses from the parents
Five of five child records reviewed did not have the 14 day notification to the parent included in the chart record.
5 745.621(a)(1) - Initial background checks submitted - At the time you submit your application
It was found a staff member hired in 2024 does not have a background check.
5 748.1553 - Child must be immediately treated by health prof, contact emergency svs or take child to ER for injury/illness requiring treatment by a health prof.
It was determined that the operation did not seek immediate medical attention for a child in care who had a substantial injury which resulted in a concussion diagnosis days after the incident.
4 748.2003(b)(5) - Administration of prescription medication-Ensure the child has taken the medication as prescribed
During the course of the investigation, it was discovered a child was given correct medication but was documented incorrectly.
3 748.151(3) - Operational responsibilities - Maintain current, true, accurate, and complete records
During the inspection 2 child charts and 4 staff charts were reviewed and found to have several items not placed in the chart timely.
4 748.1101(b)(4)(A)(vii) - Children's rights- Free from demeaning behavior to embarrass/control/harm/intimidate/isolate the child
It was discovered during the course of this investigation that a caregiver used physical force to get a child to comply and made inappropriate comments to a child in care.
5 748.2551(c)(1) - EBI Implementation-Caregiver must minimize risk of physical discomfort, harm, or pain to the child
During the investigation, it was found that a child's right wrist was strained during a restraint conducted by a staff and the child received medical care for this. It was reported by collaterals that this staff holds too tightly during restraints.
2 748.4013(b) - Out-of-state Overnight Trips-Operation must obtain written permission from each child's parent
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the operation failed to notify a parent or get permission for a child to travel out of the state.
5 745.641 - AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation
It was determined that a caretaker was hired on 5/17/2021. Fingerprint was cancelled on 08/09/2021 due to non-compliance, fingerprints not completed by the due date. It is documented that caretaker was fingerprinted on 08/20/2021. caretaker?s fingerprints were not received and cleared until 08/25/2021. The incident subject to this investigation was on 08/08/2021. caretaker was allowed to care for children without having a cleared background check.
5 745.641 - AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation
During the reivew of Backgrounds it was found a staff was inactive but scheduled to work.
4 748.2463(3) - Emergency Behavior Intervention-Never used as a means to get a child to comply
Video showed a caregiver grabbed a child by the arm and put the child in the cool down corner.
4 748.2463(3) - Emergency Behavior Intervention-Never used as a means to get a child to comply
It was found that, a child was not taking to direction to an expectation set by staff to go to their room and was restrained on 11/14/23 for approx. 8 minutes from 5:49 pm until 5:57 pm. The child was not harming themselves or others prior to this restraint. Additionally, in an incident on the same day at approx. 3:55 pm, prior to the above incident, it appears staff further escalated the situation to where the child was restrained.
3 748.2151(e) - Medication Record-must document non-prescription medication or supplement given to child and how often given
A child in care was administered an OTC, over the counter, antibiotic cream after an injury. The operation did not have any notation and/or medical documentation on when the antibiotic cream was administered or how often.
3 748.2855(a)(4) - EBI Documentation-Must include the specific emergency behavior intervention administered
The EBI reports for 1/12/22 at 11:00 AM & 12/10/21 at 1:45 pm do not have in the narrative the type of EBI that was used and when the restraint was initiated and ended. The 12/10 report is also missing what each staff was doing during the restraint (i.e. witnessing, monitoring, assisting, etc...) and if a staff was monitoring the restraint.
4 748.3001(a)(2) - Sanitation Inspection-Sanitation official must conduct sanitation inspection at least once every 12 months from date of last inspection
The health inspection for the operation expired on 07/11/2023.
3 748.2151(c)(3) - Medication record - must include reason medication was prescribed, for prescription medication
24 children medication administration records with their medication inventory form were reviewed for medications administered between 07/29/2022-8/11/2022 and there were times that the reason medication was prescribed was not documented.
2 748.937(c)(4) - Annual training hours-Time spent presenting training to others can not be counted toward annual training requirements
A Program Manager who facilitated the EBI training in October 2024 signed off on their own training hours. It was explained the trainers are recertified every 2 years and receive their bi-annual EBI training hours from facilitating trainings.
3 748.685(c)(6) - Implement and follow the children's service plans.
The child's service plan documented the child "must remain in eyesight of staff at all times due to incidents of history..." However, while interviewing staff, it was determined the child was allowed to be in their bedroom with the bedroom door shut. Staff noted to check on the child in their bedroom every 5-10 minutes.
4 748.507(1) - Employee general responsibilities-Demonstrate competency, prudent judgment, self-control in presence of children and when performing assigned tasks
During the course of this inspection, it was determined that a caregiver used inappropriate language in front of children and used unnecessary force on a child.
3 748.151(3) - Operational responsibilities - Maintain current, true, accurate, and complete records
During the investigation, a Service Plan for a child in care had several areas where a different child's name was listed.
5 748.2801(2)(A) - EBI Time Limits-Maximum length of time for personal restraint for a child of any age is 30 minutes.
There is sufficient evidence to show that children are being kept in holds in an excess of 30 minutes and sometimes up to an hour.
3 748.2151(e) - Medication Record-must document non-prescription medication or supplement given to child and how often given
A child in care was administered an OTC, over the counter, topical ointment after an injury. The operation did not have medical documentation on when the ointment was given to the child and how often it was given.
4 748.2151(d) - Medication Record-must include accurate daily count of each prescribed medication, unless operate on a cottage home model
2 prescribed PRNs, Ondansetron and Ibuprofen, were not counted daily count, rather only on the days when they were administered to the child.
4 748.2151(d) - Medication Record-must include accurate daily count of each prescribed medication, unless operate on a cottage home model
Review of the medication logs for two children showed that there were discrepancies in the count of medication.
5 748.1101(b)(1)(B) - Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
A caregiver failed to adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation as defined in Texas Family Code 261.401, as a caregiver strained a child's arm after grabbing them by their arm and escorting the child into their room.
4 748.2259(a) - Psychotropic medication documentation-Maintain a daily record of the child's use of psychotropic medication according to requirements in 748.2151
During the course of this investigation, seven of seven medication records were found to be incomplete, illustrating lack of information and/or documentation.
4 748.2463(3) - Emergency Behavior Intervention-Never used as a means to get a child to comply
While conducting interviews, one of the staff members stated they escorted a child to their room when the child refused to go.
5 748.1101(b)(1)(B) - Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
During the course of the investigation, it was determined a caregiver failed to adequately supervise a child in care, who was on a safety plan, which resulted in inappropriate sexual behaviors.
4 748.2455(a)(2) - Emergency Behavior Intervention-Basis for EBI is an emergency situation or to administer medication
It was identified that that a caregiver used EBI that was not warranted.
4 748.2463(3) - Emergency Behavior Intervention-Never used as a means to get a child to comply
In reviewing the investigations documentation and interviews verified at the time it was decided to escort the child, it was to get them to go to their room.
3 748.303(e)(9)(A) - Serious Incident- Report to CCL w/in 24hrs of becoming aware of an allegation of an employee using a prohibited or inappropriate EBI technique.
It was found, that a child was restrained to get the child to comply and this was not reported to the A/N hotline.
3 748.505(b)(4) - Minimum qualifications for employees-Complete notarized Licensing Affidavit for Applicants for Employment form
In reviewing 3 of the 4 charts for staff, three did not have the Licensing Affidavit notarized.
3 748.3301(a)(2) - Physical Site- Buildings must be clean and in good repair.
Two of ten bathrooms observed showed significant paint peelings in the paint on the walls above the showers. This was corrected at the inspection when the maintenance team sealed the area and repainted the ceilings.
Yes
4 748.2463(3) - Emergency Behavior Intervention-Never used as a means to get a child to comply
In reviewing the investigations documentation and interviews verified at the time it was decided to escort the child, it was to get them to go to their room.
4 748.3475(a)(2) - Safety Requirements-The administrator or designee must inspect the equipment and surfacing material for broken or missing parts
It was found that a slide on one of the playgrounds has been broken for 4 months and a child in care was able to play on it, resulting in an injury.
3 748.1101(b)(3)(E) - Children's rights-privacy to send/receive unopened mail,have phone conversations,keep journal,have visitors unless the child's best interest
Through interviews with children and staff, it was determined that staff are not giving children in care privacy when making phone calls.
4 748.2463(3) - Emergency Behavior Intervention-Never used as a means to get a child to comply
In reviewing the investigations documentation and interviews verified at the time it was decided to escort the child, it was to get them to go to their room.
5 745.641 - AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation
During the inspection, a caregiver had contact with children on 10/30/23 but did not have an eligible background check until 11/7/23.
5 745.635(3) - AP Background ck determination - If provisionally eligible w/conditions or eligible w/conditions you must restrict duties per conditions/restrictions
After conducting the investigation, it was found that there were two staff with a provisional background check with conditions set by CBCU. The two staff were left alone with children in care during their shifts and also administered medications to children in care during their shift(s). One of the two staff worked on and administered meds to the child involved on 1/11/22 and 1/18/22 and the other staff worked on and administered meds to child involved on 2/4/22. Both staff initials are on the med logs (MAR) provided by the operation.
5 748.1101(b)(1)(B) - Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
A caregiver failed to adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation as defined in Texas Family Code 261.401, as a caregiver strained a child's arm after grabbing them by their arm and escorting the child into their room.
4 748.2151(d) - Medication Record-must include accurate daily count of each prescribed medication, unless operate on a cottage home model
Review of the medication logs for two children showed that there were discrepancies in the count of medication.
3 748.2151(c)(3) - Medication record - must include reason medication was prescribed, for prescription medication
A child's medication log did not have the reason the medication was prescribed.
4 748.2551(a) - EBI Implementation-Must be an appropriate response to the behavior demonstrated, and de-escalation must have failed
Due to the information gathered throughout the investigation, a child in care who was kicking a bean bag and talking to staff was then subjected to an unapproved EBI without providing de-escalation. The incident did not arise to an emergency situation that warranted an EBI.
3 748.505(b)(4) - Minimum qualifications for employees-Complete notarized Licensing Affidavit for Applicants for Employment form
In reviewing 3 of the 4 charts for staff, three did not have the Licensing Affidavit notarized.
5 748.2801(2)(A) - EBI Time Limits-Maximum length of time for personal restraint for a child of any age is 30 minutes.
There is sufficient evidence to show that children are being kept in holds in an excess of 30 minutes and sometimes up to an hour.
4 748.3475(a)(2) - Safety Requirements-The administrator or designee must inspect the equipment and surfacing material for broken or missing parts
It was found that a slide on one of the playgrounds has been broken for 4 months and a child in care was able to play on it, resulting in an injury.
4 748.2463(3) - Emergency Behavior Intervention-Never used as a means to get a child to comply
Video showed a caregiver grabbed a child by the arm and put the child in the cool down corner.
2 748.937(c)(4) - Annual training hours-Time spent presenting training to others can not be counted toward annual training requirements
A Program Manager who facilitated the EBI training in October 2024 signed off on their own training hours. It was explained the trainers are recertified every 2 years and receive their bi-annual EBI training hours from facilitating trainings.
3 748.1101(b)(3)(E) - Children's rights-privacy to send/receive unopened mail,have phone conversations,keep journal,have visitors unless the child's best interest
Through interviews with children and staff, it was determined that staff are not giving children in care privacy when making phone calls.
4 748.2003(b)(3) - AP Administration of prescription medication-Administer medications according to instructions or a prescribing health-care professional's orders
During the investigation, it was found that the child was not administered one of their doses of prescription medication antibiotic suspension for their injury on 8/10/23 as ordered by the doctor for the knee cut.
5 748.1101(b)(1)(B) - Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
During the course of the investigation, it was determined a caregiver failed to adequately supervise a child in care, who was on a safety plan, which resulted in inappropriate sexual behaviors.
1 748.1341(b) - Initial Service Plan-Child's record must include documentation of advance notice to parents of planning meeting and any responses from the parents
Five of five child records reviewed did not have the 14 day notification to the parent included in the chart record.
5 745.641 - AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation
A direct care staff was in the care of children with a pending background check.
1 748.1341(a) - Initial Service Plan-Must give the child's parent(s) at least two weeks advance notice of the meeting
When reviewing 4 service plan notifications for 3 children in care, 3 notifications weren't sent timely to notify parents.
3 748.2151(c)(3) - Medication record - must include reason medication was prescribed, for prescription medication
24 children medication administration records with their medication inventory form were reviewed for medications administered between 07/29/2022-8/11/2022 and there were times that the reason medication was prescribed was not documented.
1 748.1339(c) - Initial Service Plan-Child & parent must be invited to meeting to develop service plan & discuss participation in childhood activities
One of four child records reviewed showed the child participated in the service plan on 1/10/24 which is after the service plan meeting took place. The service plan meeting was completed on 1/4/24. The remaining three child records reviewed did not have a date indicating child participation.
4 748.2463(3) - Emergency Behavior Intervention-Never used as a means to get a child to comply
It was found that, a child was not taking to direction to an expectation set by staff to go to their room and was restrained on 11/14/23 for approx. 8 minutes from 5:49 pm until 5:57 pm. The child was not harming themselves or others prior to this restraint. Additionally, in an incident on the same day at approx. 3:55 pm, prior to the above incident, it appears staff further escalated the situation to where the child was restrained.
4 748.507(1) - Employee general responsibilities-Demonstrate competency, prudent judgment, self-control in presence of children and when performing assigned tasks
During the course of this inspection, it was determined that a caregiver used inappropriate language in front of children and used unnecessary force on a child.
4 748.2551(b)(2) - EBI Implementation-The caregiver must consider the permitted types of emergency behavior intervention
During the investigation, a caregiver admitted to utilizing an inappropriate EBI when she pulled a child by the wrists to his room when he dropped to the floor. There were no injuries.
4 748.2151(d) - Medication Record-must include accurate daily count of each prescribed medication, unless operate on a cottage home model
After reviewing multiple Medication Administration records, Medication Inventory records, and Drug Count Sheets, it was determined that there were multiple errors in the total number of doses remaining.
2 748.363(14) - Personnel records-Include date and reason for the person's separation from the operation, if applicable
One of four records reviewed was missing the date and the reason for separation in the personnel record.
5 748.1101(b)(1)(B) - Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
A caregiver failed to adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation as defined in Texas Family Code 261.401 after failing to get timely medical care for a child who had dislocated their hip.
5 748.2461(a)(2) - Short Personal Restraint-Caregiver must use minimal amount of reasonable and necessary physical force
Review of the video showed the child was grabbed by the arm in an abrupt manner and put into the corner.
3 748.151(3) - Operational responsibilities - Maintain current, true, accurate, and complete records
During the inspection 2 child charts and 4 staff charts were reviewed and found to have several items not placed in the chart timely.
5 748.2551(c)(1) - EBI Implementation-Caregiver must minimize risk of physical discomfort, harm, or pain to the child
During the investigation, it was found that a child's right wrist was strained during a restraint conducted by a staff and the child received medical care for this. It was reported by collaterals that this staff holds too tightly during restraints.
3 748.2855(a)(2) - EBI Documentation-Must include a description and assessment of the circumstances and specific behaviors that were the basis for EBI
Staff failed to document a complete assessment of circumstances that led to a restraint not providing appropriate rational for the restraint.
5 745.641 - AP Background check results - Must receive notification prior to allowing subject to be present at your operation
During the reivew of Backgrounds it was found a staff was inactive but scheduled to work.
3 748.505(b)(5) - Minimum qualifications for employees- Must complete a Pre-Employment Affidavit for Applicants for Employment.
3 of 3 files were missing the pre-employment affidavit.
3 748.2151(e) - Medication Record-must document non-prescription medication or supplement given to child and how often given
A child in care was administered an OTC, over the counter, antibiotic cream after an injury. The operation did not have any notation and/or medical documentation on when the antibiotic cream was administered or how often.
4 748.2003(b)(5) - Administration of prescription medication-Ensure the child has taken the medication as prescribed
During the course of the investigation, it was discovered a child was given correct medication but was documented incorrectly.
3 748.2855(a)(4) - EBI Documentation-Must include the specific emergency behavior intervention administered
The EBI reports for 1/12/22 at 11:00 AM & 12/10/21 at 1:45 pm do not have in the narrative the type of EBI that was used and when the restraint was initiated and ended. The 12/10 report is also missing what each staff was doing during the restraint (i.e. witnessing, monitoring, assisting, etc...) and if a staff was monitoring the restraint.
4 748.3001(a)(2) - Sanitation Inspection-Sanitation official must conduct sanitation inspection at least once every 12 months from date of last inspection
The health inspection for the operation expired on 07/11/2023.
4 748.1101(b)(4)(A)(vii) - Children's rights- Free from demeaning behavior to embarrass/control/harm/intimidate/isolate the child
It was discovered during the course of this investigation that a caregiver used physical force to get a child to comply and made inappropriate comments to a child in care.

Severity 5 = most serious. Source: official state record.

Inspections (342)

342 inspection record(s) on file from TX-HHSC.

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