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July 2, 2024 Carissa McDonald, Authorized Agent Discovery Kids 1800 Nevada Avenue Benson, MN 56215 License Number 1086726 (Child Care Center) ORDER TO PAY A FINE FOR BACKGROUND STUDY VIOLATION Dear Carissa McDonald: The Department of Human Services (DHS) is ordering you to pay a fine of $200 for one background study violation. Our next steps and your options are also detailed. Reason for the Fine DHS is issuing this fine order based on your failure to comply with the following background study requirement: Background Study Violation Determined on June 13, 2024 During a licensing review, a DHS licensor determined that you did not comply with the background study requirements for one staff person while s/he was working in a position allowing direct contact with children served by your program. SP1 was hired and began working in a position allowing direct contact with persons served by the program on December 16, 2020. You initiated a background study request for SP1 on December 14, 2020. On February 28, 2021, you removed SP1 from your active background study roster. SP1 has worked at the program without a background study since February 28, 2021. Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.07, subdivision 1, paragraph (a). Fine: $200 (one background study violation-finable at $200 per occurrence) Corrective Action Required: Correct immediately and submit your response through the Provider Hub within 30 days from the date of this letter detailing how compliance has been achieved. You must maintain compliance going forward. Billing and Payment of the Fine DHS will send you an invoice for the $200 fine. Payment must be made as directed on the invoice. If you request a contested case hearing, as described below, do not pay the fine at this time. Following the contested case hearing, the Commissioner of DHS will issue a final order on this matter. Please note, you may not avoid payment of this fine by closing, selling, or otherwise transferring the license to a third party. In such an event, the license holder will be personally liable for payment. In the case of a corporation, each controlling individual is personally and jointly liable for payment. Your Right to Appeal You have the right to appeal this fine. If you choose to appeal this order, you must use the Provider Hub (https://providerhub.dhs.mn.gov/) to submit your request. Your request must be made before the deadline provided below. If you do not meet this deadline, you lose your right to an administrative appeal. The timeline to appeal began when this order was issued in the Provider Hub. Your request for an appeal must be submitted in the Provider Hub within 10 calendar days from the date it was issued in the Provider Hub. Upon DHS’ receipt of your timely appeal, your case would be scheduled for a contested case hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge. Following this hearing, the Commissioner of DHS will issue a final order. Legal representation at the contested case hearing You do not need a lawyer to appeal. However, a lawyer can help you with your appeal. The state or county will not get you a lawyer and will not pay for a lawyer. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may be able to get free legal advice or help with your appeal. To find out if free help is available, contact: Volunteer Lawyers Network at 612-752-6677; Central Minnesota Legal Services at 612-332-8151; Southern Minnesota Legal Services at 651-222-4731; or go to www.justice4mn.org to find a local legal services program that may be able to help you. You can also find information on contested cases from the Office of Administrative Hearings website at https://mn.gov/oah/self-help. Click on Administrative Law Overview, then click on Administrative Law Contested Case Hearing Guide for a list of frequently asked questions. Posting of this Licensing Action You are required to place this Order to Pay a Fine in a place that is clearly noticeable to the people receiving services and all visitors to the facility for two years, even if you appeal. Legal Authority for this Licensing Action · DHS may impose a $200 fine for each background study violation under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.07, subdivision 3, paragraph (c)(4)(iv). · Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.07, subdivision 3, paragraph (c)(5) states that license holders may not avoid payment of a fine by closing, selling, or transferring a license. · License holders have a right to appeal licensing actions and request a contested case hearing, under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612. · The requirement to post this order in a clearly visible location is required under Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.07, subdivision 5. Questions If you have any further questions regarding this matter, you may contact me, at 651-431-6030, extension 4013. Sincerely,
Jason Condon, Unit Supervisor Licensing Division Office of Inspector General
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