Audit Report on the Educational Alliance’s Screening of Personnel through the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment

Executive Summary

This audit determined whether personnel working at the Educational Alliance’s Lillian Wald Day Care Center (LWDCC) location at 34 Avenue D in Manhattan have been properly screened through the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR).  New York City Health Code §47.19 requires that all child care center employees and volunteers undergo an SCR clearance review prior to being hired and every two years thereafter.

Child care centers are essential for many working families.  They contribute to the overall development of children by providing education, recreation, and a safe and structured environment for children while their parents work.  The Educational Alliance operates an EarlyLearn NYC child care center for two and three year-old children at 34 Avenue D in Manhattan (and at one other location) under a contract with the New York City (City) Administration for Children’s Services (ACS).

Audit Findings and Conclusions

We reviewed the SCR-clearance status of 14 individuals (12 employees and two volunteers) who were working at LWDCC as of February 10, 2017, the date of our unannounced visit to the center, and found that for nine individuals—eight employees and one volunteer—LWDCC did not obtain the most recently required SCR clearances on time; the clearances were late by periods that ranged from 27 days to more than 10 months (312 days).  We also found that for one employee, LWDCC had not received the required renewal SCR clearance at all; the clearance was more than one year and four months (502 days) late as of February 10, 2017.  LWDCC apparently requested the required renewal SCR clearance for this employee on the date of our visit and then obtained the SCR clearance six days later.  For the other volunteer we observed during our visit, we found that LWDCC had no personnel file or SCR clearance.

 Audit Recommendations

To address these issues, the report makes a total of seven recommendations, including that the Educational Alliance ensure that all of its personnel receive the required initial SCR clearances before they start work and renewal SCR clearances within two years of their prior clearances as required by the New York City Health Code.

Agency Response

In its written response, the Educational Alliance agreed with the audit’s seven recommendations and stated that it is in the process of implementing them.  The full text of the Educational Alliance’s response is included as an addendum to this report.