Minnesota

May 13, 2022                                            CERTIFIED MAIL

Siman Aden, Authorized Agent

Quality Learning Center

5931 Zenith Avenue North

Brooklyn Center, MN 55429

License Number 1087038 (Child Care Center)

ORDER TO PAY A FINE FOR

BACKGROUND STUDY VIOLATION

Dear Siman Aden:

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is ordering you to pay a fine of $200 for one background study violation that occurred at Quality Learning Center, located at 1411 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 May 9, 2022

During a licensing review, a DHS licensor determined that you failed to request a background study for one staff persons before s/he began working in a position allowing direct contact with children served by the program.

SP1 began providing direct contact services to persons served by the program on May 9, 2022.

At the time of the licensing review, SP1 was working in a classroom and you had not initiated a background study for SP1. Subsequent to DHS informing you to remove SP1 you initiated a background study for SP1 on May 9, 2022.

Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 245C.04, subdivision 1, paragraph (g).

Fine: $200 (one background study violation - fineable at $200 per violation)  

Corrective Action Required: You must comply with background study requirements in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245C. Within 10 days from receipt of this order, submit written documentation to your licensor detailing how compliance will be maintained in the future.

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 the fine. Your request must be in writing and clearly state that you are requesting a contested case hearing for this matter. Your request must be made before the deadlines provided below. If you do not meet this deadline, you lose your right to an administrative appeal. The timeline to appeal began when you received this order.

If you are mailing your request, it must be sent by certified mail and postmarked within 10 calendar days from when you receive this order. Please send it to:

Commissioner, Department of Human Services

Office of Inspector General

Licensing Division

Attention: Legal Unit

PO Box 64242

St. Paul, MN 55164-0242

If your request is being personally delivered, it must be received by DHS within 10 calendar days from when you receive this order. Please bring it to:

Commissioner, Department of Human Services

Office of Inspector General

Licensing Division

Attention: Legal Unit

444 Lafayette Road North

St. Paul, MN 55155

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 651-431-6535.

Sincerely,

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Donna Gainor, Unit Supervisor

Licensing Division

Office of Inspector General


PO Box 64242 • Saint Paul, Minnesota • 55164-0242 • An Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly Employer

https://mn.gov/dhs/general-public/licensing/