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September 4, 2025 Tu Sommerfeld, Authorized Agent Early Childhood Development Center 2900 University Avenue Crookston, MN 56716 License Number 802569 (Child Care Center) ORDER TO PAY A FINE FOR BACKGROUND STUDY VIOLATION Dear Daniel Buck: The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is ordering you to pay a fine of $2000 for ten out of twelve background study violations. Details of our findings are provided below. 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 July 10, 2025: 1. While preparing for a licensing review, a DCYF licensor determined that you failed to repeat a background study for three child care program staff within five years of the staff person’s most recent study. SP1 began working in a position allowing direct contact services to persons served by the program on August 27, 2018. You initiated an enhanced background study request for SP1 on July 19, 2019. SP1’s background study expired on August 3, 2024. You did not initiate another background study request until January 23, 2025. SP1 worked without a background study from August 3, 2024, to January 23, 2025. Because you self-corrected the background study violation involving SP1 before the Commissioner discovered the violation, the license holder is not being fined for the background study violation involving SP1. SP2 began working in a position allowing direct contact services to persons served by the program on August 27, 2019. You initiated an enhanced background study request for SP2 on January 30, 2020. SP2’s background study expired on February 8, 2025. You did not initiate another background study request until April 8, 2025. SP2 worked without a background study from February 8, 2025, to April 8, 2025. SP3 began working in a position allowing direct contact services to persons served by the program on August 27, 2024. You initiated an enhanced background study request for SP3 on August 19, 2024. SP3’s fingerprints were previously taken on January 17, 2020. Therefore, SP3’s background study expired on February 5, 2025. You did not initiate another background study request until April 8, 2025. SP3 worked without a background study from February 5, 2025, to April 8, 2025. Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (a); section 245C.04, subdivision 1, paragraph (a); section 245C.04, subdivision 1, paragraph (b); and section 245C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (a). 2. While preparing for a licensing review, a DCYF licensor determined that two staff persons provided direct contact services to persons served by the program prior to receiving a notice from DHS. SP4 began working in a position allowing direct contact services to persons served by the program on January 10, 2025. You initiated a background study request for SP4 on January 6, 2025. It was determined through a review of documentation that SP4 had direct contact with children prior to receiving a notice from DHS on January 13, 2025. SP5 began working in a position allowing direct contact services to persons served by the program on May 8, 2024. You initiated a background study request for SP5 on May 6, 2025. It was determined through a review of documentation that SP5 had direct contact with children prior to receiving a notice from DHS on May 16, 2025. Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.04, subdivision 1, paragraph (b); and section 245C.07, subdivision 1, paragraph (a); section 245C.05, subdivision 2; and section 245C.13, subdivision 2. 3. While preparing for a licensing visit, a DCYF licensor determined that you failed to meet the background study requirements for six staff persons before they began working in a position allowing direct contact with children served by the program. SP6 began working in a position allowing direct contact services to persons served by the program on August 27, 2024. However, you did not initiate a background study request for SP6 until September 6, 2024. SP6 worked without a background study from August 27, 2024, to September 6, 2024. SP7 began working in a position allowing direct contact services to persons served by the program on October 31, 2024. However, you did not initiate a background study request for SP7 until February 6, 2025. SP7’s fingerprints were not submitted within 14 days and the background study was closed on February 21, 2025, and you were informed to immediately remove SP7 from a position allowing direct contact services. You initiated another background study request on May 5, 2025. SP7 worked without a background study from October 31, 2024, to February 6, 2025, and February 21, 2025, to May 5, 2025. SP8 began working in a position allowing direct contact services to persons served by the program on October 29, 2024. However, you did not initiate a background study request for SP8 until February 5, 2025. SP8 worked without a background study from October 29, 2024, to February 5, 2025. SP9 began working in a position allowing direct contact services to persons served by the program on September 3, 2024. However, you did not initiate a background study request for SP9 until September 12, 2024. SP9 worked without a background study from September 3, 2024, to September 12, 2024. SP10 began working in a position allowing direct contact services to persons served by the program on September 16, 2024. However, you did not initiate a background study request for SP10 until September 26, 2024. SP10 worked without a background study from September 16, 2024, to September 26, 2024. SP11 began working in a position allowing direct contact services to persons served by the program on March 24, 2024. However, you did not initiate a background study request for SP11 until April 4, 2024. SP11 worked without a background study from March 24, 2024, to April 4, 2024. Although you corrected the background study violations involving SP2, SP3, SP4, SP5, SP6, SP7, SP8, SP9, SP10, and SP11 before a DHS licensor became aware of the violations, at least 365 days had not passed since you previously self-corrected the background study for SP1, so DHS is issuing a fine for SP2, SP3, SP4, SP5, SP6, SP7, SP8, SP9, SP10, and SP11. Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.03, subdivision 1, paragraph (a); section 245C.04, subdivision 1, paragraph (a); section 245C.05, subdivision 2, paragraph (a); and section 245C.13, subdivision 2. Fine: $2000 (twelve background study violations – eleven fineable at $200 per violation) 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 After 10 calendar days from the date of this letter, DCYF will issue you an invoice for the $2000 fine through the Provider Hub. 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 DCYF 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. If this occurs, you are personally responsible for payment. If you do not pay the fine on or before the date specified on the invoice and you did not request a contested case hearing, as described below, the Commissioner may issue a second fine, may not issue or reissue a license, or may suspend the license until the license holder pays the fine. 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 DCYF’ 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 DCYF 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 · DCYF may impose a $200 fine for each background study violation under Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.18, subdivision 4, paragraph (c)(4)(iv). · Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.18, subdivision 4, paragraph (c)(5) states that license holders may not avoid payment of a fine by closing, selling, or transferring a license. · Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.10, subdivision 14, paragraph (d)(4), states that DCYF shall not issue or reissue a license if the applicant, license holder, or controlling individual has an outstanding debt related to a license fee, licensing fine, or settlement agreement for which payment is delinquent. · Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.18, subdivision 4, paragraph (c)(2), states that that the license holder shall pay the fine assessed on or before the payment date specified, and if the license holder does not do so the commissioner may issue a second fine or suspend the license until the license holder complies. · 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 142B.18, subdivision 6. Questions If you have any further questions regarding this matter, you may contact Chad Kratzke, Unit Supervisor, at 651-431-6030, extension 4018. Sincerely,
Peggy Cunningham, Unit Manager Licensing Division Office of Inspector General
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