Thursday, November 5, 2015

State Senators Klein & Savino call for letter grades for day care facilities in New York City



  Release alarming investigation on day care centers across New York City

Report features day care centers with dangerous, persistent health code violations — that lie to parents about their records



State Senator Jeff Klein and State Senator Diane Savino today released an investigative report, “The Hidden Dangers in Day Care,” revealing the worst and most persistent violators in the city. The legislators called for a letter-grading system, similar to the popular restaurant A, B, C’s, to communicate clearly to parents a day care facility’s health and safety record.

“A parent cannot always tell by glancing at the colorful class projects at a day care center that there are hidden dangers lurking inside. They trust that providers are qualified and tell the truth about their records. But our report reveals that many day cares across this city rack up chronic violations and some even lie when asked about their records. We want parents to know that the places where they leave their children all day are safe, clean and licensed. Letter-grading on restaurants communicates to the public in a very clear manner the track record of an eatery. We wouldn’t eat at a restaurant with a poor-letter grade, would we leave a child in a place with a bad grade? It’ll undoubtedly lead to day care facilities cleaning up their acts,” said State Senator Jeff Klein.

“When it comes to the safety and sanitation of day care centers, New York City parents are truly left in the dark. While many locations have repeat critical violations, it has become increasingly difficult for parents to track down information about the security, staffing, and cleanliness of the center to which they are entrusting their most precious family members. Parents and guardians need an easy-to-understand, accessible system to let them know that their child’s day care is clean and safe, just as the restaurant letter-grading system lets diners know that a restaurant is clean and safe. In regards to the health and safety of their child, parents should never have to cross their fingers and hope for the best, and with the proposal of this day care letter-grading system, they will no longer have to,” said State Senator Diane Savino.

The Independent Democratic Conference’s alarming report found that a total 18,102 violations were issued to 2,271 group day care centers throughout the city between 2013 and 2015. Since 2013, New York City group day care centers have accumulated an average of nearly eight violations per provider. The worst offenders were in Brooklyn, where day care providers averaged 11 violations each, and a total of 9,565 violations in just two and a half short years.

Common violations throughout the city included a failure to designate a qualified education director to oversee the program, a failure to provide adequate hand wash stations, and obstructed and impassable hallways, among other critical violations. The combination of these violations indicate unsafe and unsanitary child care conditions.

Top Violators: 2013-2015
Rank
Name of Facility
Permit #
# of Violations
(2013-2015)
# of Public Health 
Hazards (2013-2015)
1
Brightside Academy –
Bronx
7482
77
11
2
Magic Kingdom –
Brooklyn
14118
67
21
3
196 Albany Avenue 
Day Care –
Brooklyn
4003
62
4
4
All My Children Day
Care and Nursery School 
(2 to 5 yrs)– Brooklyn
24658
60
11
5
All My Children Day 
Care And Nursery 11 – 
Brooklyn
24878
57
11
6
Friends of Crown Heights Educational Centers –
Manhattan
25817
54
9
7
Northeast Bronx Day 
Care Center, Inc. – Bronx
23617
52
5
8
Children of the Future 
Day Care, Inc. #2 –
Brooklyn
16437
47
25
9
Mabel Barrett Fitzgerald 
Day Care Center –
Manhattan
1345
43
13
10
Friends of Crown Heights Educational Center #4 
Preschool – Brooklyn
7892
41
15
Source: IDC Analysis of DOHMH data located at  https://a816-healthpsi.nyc.gov/ChildCare/ChildCareList.do.


Even after being cited, many day care centers do not learn their lessons. Startlingly, 236 day cares continue to operate within the five boroughs even though they fail their annual inspections year after year. Of those, 88 are persistently slapped with the same violations.


Top Violators: Persistent, Chronic Violators
Rank
Name of Facility
Permit #
Consecutive Inspections w/
Violations
Violations (Total)
Public Health Hazards (Total)
Examples of Violations
1
Northeast Bronx Day Care Center, Inc. – Bronx
23617
8
52
5
Childcare service failed to     arrange/conduct criminal/SCR background checks or to re-clear required individuals (5x)
2
Nuestros Ninos Day Care Center – Brooklyn
4135
18
50
3
Inside temperature of 68-72 °F not maintained when outside temperature is below 55 °F (5x)
3
Kiddies Learning Center – Brooklyn
8118
14
46
7
Child care providing service without a staff member trained in First Aid/CPR on site (6x); Child care not free of pests or maintains pest harborage conditions (6x)
4
The Rat’s Playhouse Workshop, Inc. – Brooklyn
5152
12
43
6
Child care providing service without a staff member trained in First Aid/CPR on site (5x)
5
  Sunset Park Early Childhood Development Center – Brooklyn
19137
15
42
7
Child care service failed to provide appropriate guards on designated structures/equipment to protect children from potential injury (5x); Childcare service/camp obstructed DOHMH staff at time of inspection (2x)
6
  Tender Years Childcare, Inc. (2-5 Years) – Bronx
6367
14
38
10
Childcare service failed to designate/identify a qualified Education Director (7x)
7
  Tender Years Childcare, Inc. (0-2 Years) – Bronx
7231
14
37
12
Childcare service failed to arrange/conduct criminal/SCR background checks or to re-clear required individuals (3x)
8
  Step By Step Early Childhood Center, Inc. – Brooklyn
6826
12
35
9
Childcare service failed to maintain required staff to child supervision ratios at time of inspection (3x)
9
  Amy’s Academy – Brooklyn
7955
12
33
14
Required food protection procedures were not implemented at time of inspection (4x)
10
New York Kids Club DBA PNW Enterprises, LTD. – Brooklyn
19557
10
28
10
At time of inspection floors/walls/ceilings were observed not maintained, in disrepair, or covered in a toxic finish (5x)


Chronic violators often lie about their track records when asked directly about violations. When day care facilities with 100 percent failure rates were called by undercover investigators, 56 percent denied having a history of violations or current violations.

During undercover visits to top violators, undercover investigators were told that centers had no open violations even though Department of Health records indicated otherwise. Despite having been cited in 18 consecutive inspections, at Nuestros Ninos Day Care Center in Brooklyn— the second worst persistent violator—a director claimed that the site had never received a single violation in more than 35 years of operation. Kiddie’s Learning Center  in Brooklyn— the third worst persistent violator— stated only that they had previous problems with their fire alarms and that they were being repaired. However, according to their inspection history, they were cited during 14 consecutive inspections for violations having nothing to do with fire alarms, such as failure to provide properly trained staff on site or harboring pests.

These inspection records are difficult for parents to find. Violations are posted a few clicks into the City’s Health Department website and many parents are unaware day care health inspections are readily available.

Like any responsible parents, Lee Towndrow and Amber Scorah toured SoHo Childcare and asked questions. The owner told  them she and her staff were CPR certified. So  in July  they decided to leave their three-month-old son Karl to the care of SoHo Childcare.

Tragically, Karl died hours after being dropped off on his first day of day care.

Unbeknownst to the loving parents the day care was unlicensed and over-capacity. The owner incorrectly performed CPR and as it turned out  she, nor anyone else on her staff, was actually trained in lifesaving procedures.

When working parents have no choice but to put their weeks-old infant into childcare because our system doesn't provide parental leave, it is of the utmost importance that we as a society, at the very least, guarantee the safety of children in these childcare settings. This law is essential. Parents should be given the tools to assess whether their child is in a safe setting, and childcare centers should be held accountable in an open, public way so that they live up to the responsibility of looking after our precious children,” said Lee Towndrow and Amber Scorah.

“When parents leave their children at child care centers, it is critical for them to feel confident that their children are in a safe place. We appreciate the efforts of Jeff Klein and the IDC to identify where programs are falling short on safety, and hope that this work leads not only to more transparency, so parents can make the best choices for their children, but also to greater technical assistance to help centers  provide safe, high quality services,” said Stephanie Gendell, Citizen's Committee for Children of NY.

“The problems identified in the IDC’s report  demonstrate the need for the State to invest in high quality early childhood education for all New York’s children.  New York’s children deserve facilities that are clean, safe, developmentally appropriate and inviting and a staff that this well-trained and fairly compensated,” said Gregory Brender, co-director of policy and advocacy, United Neighborhood Houses.

The IDC will also advocate for up to $20 million in funding for the QualitystarsNY program to provide strategic direction and improvements to the approximately 330 centers, family-home providers and public schools that the program serves.

“The New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute applauds Senator Klein and the IDC’s efforts to ensure that all of New York City’s youngest residents and their parents have access to safe, secure early childhood care and education programs. NYC’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene provides a vital service in inspecting and evaluating early childhood centers, but much remains to be done to convey the results of their work to parents and the general public. The Institute supports efforts to improve the current system, especially through the expansion of QUALITYstarsNYC, as a tool to help parents understand what good quality early childhood education should look like, from best practices and teacher education standards to enriching classrooms and play spaces. An increase in funding would make these resources available to hundreds of programs and many thousands of young children. The Institute acknowledges the complementary efforts of the proposed ratings system to inform parents about the sanitary conditions of their child’s day care center. Combined with the QUALITYstarsNYC rating system for program quality, parents will have two powerful tools to ensure their children are receiving the highest quality early education experience,” said Dona Anderson, Deputy Director of the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute.

HOMEOWNERS & RENTERS SERVICE NIGHT FOR BRONX RESIDENTS



   New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie and City Council Member Andy King are hosting a “Homeowners & Renters Service Night” Wednesday, Nov. 18th, for landlords, tenants and homeowners who need assistance with housing issues.
The service night program, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Williamsbridge NAACP Early Childhood Education Center, at 680 East 219th St., Bronx, is free and open to the public.
Experts and attorneys from The Legal Aid Society, Legal Services, Inc., Neighborhood Housing Services of the North Bronx and the Urban Justice Center/Safety New Project will answer questions regarding SCRIE, DRIE and other programs for low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
Attorneys at the seminar also will address landlord-tenant issues, rent control, rent regulations, evictions, eviction protection, landlord entry, dealing with problematic tenants, addressing habitability/repair problems in private homes, Co-ops, Condos and NYCHA, rent increases, overcharges, foreclosure prevention for homeowners and much more.
For more information, contact the Office of Council Member Andy King at (718) 684-5509.

“Our Perseverance In The Future Lies in the Resiliency of Our Past”—Council Member Andy King

Boroughwide Public Hearing on Zoning for Quality & Affordability and Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Text Amendments






Wednesday, November 4, 2015

SENATOR JEFF KLEIN ANNOUNCES $100,000 STATE GRANT FOR SECURITY UPGRADES AT PUGSLEY CREEK PARK



   Following tragic death of local teen, Klein provides funding for 24-hour video surveillance and new call boxes at Castle Hill park

State Senator Jeff Klein, together with the family of Christian Negron, the Castle Hill Homeowners’ Association, and Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, Bronx commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, today announced $100,000 in state funding for safety and security upgrades at Pugsley Creek Park.
The announcement follows the tragic death of Christian Negron, a former LaGuardia Community College student, who was viciously attacked and robbed in broad daylight in by a group of seven young men in Pugsley Creek Park in June.
Senator Jeff Klein said: “By investing in our parks, we are making a steadfast commitment to preserving our public spaces and protecting New York’s families. The tragic loss of Christian Negron has shaken the Castle Hill community and left an indelible mark on our hearts. In order to boost safety in Pugsley Creek Park, I’ve proudly secured $100,000 in state funding for new security cameras and call boxes. These measures will go a long way toward improving safety in Pugsley Creek and ensure that our parks remain treasured community spaces for generations to come.”

Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, Bronx commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, said: “Providing for new resources like call boxes and FlashCams, Senator Klein's generous funding will help NYC Parks keep Pugsley Creek Park a safe and enjoyable destination for the communities of Castle Hill and beyond.”
On June 28, Christian Negron was returning home through Pugsley Creek Park from a poetry event hosted by one of his college professors when he was attacked from behind and struck several times in the head. Christian escaped from his assailants by slipping through his hooded sweatshirt and running out of the park.
Shortly after the attack, on July 8, Christian was found unconscious by his grandmother. After being rushed to the hospital, Christian was pronounced brain dead, and on July 17, was taken off life support.
In response to this tragedy, Senator Klein, together with the Castle Hill Homeowners’ Association, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the NYPD, and the Bronx District Attorney, held a on town hall meeting on July 29. With ongoing concerns regarding safety in Pugsley Creek Park – and widespread reports of drinking, drugs, and gang activity – Senator Klein pledged to provide funding for security upgrades.

Senator Klein’s $100,000 state grant will go toward the addition of new security cameras, equipped with 24-hour video surveillance, and state-of-the-art call boxes, which will be installed at key locations throughout the park.
Anibal Negron, father of Christian Negron, said: “Our family suffered a tremendous tragedy as the result of an attack on our son, Christian, at Pugsley Creek Park. Those who knew him can attest as to how great of a person he was. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us. We are, however, grateful of the stance our community, neighbors and elected officials have taken in ensuring our community becomes as safe as we once knew it to be.”
Israel Morales, president of the Castle Hill Homeowners’ Association, said: "It's a difficult time for the Negron family with the recent passing of their son. The Homeowners' Association truly appreciates everything Senator Klein and his staff have done for the community and the Negron family in the past weeks and months. This funding will ensure that our parks are safe and secure. Today, we send a message that Christian Negron will never be forgotten."


Above - State Senator Jeff Klein says a few words about safety in city parks, and why this was so important to him that the local residents could continue to walk in their park without any fear.
Below - Bronx Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa thanks Senator Klein for the funding so cameras can be installed in the park.




Above - Anibal Negron, father of Christian Negron who was killed in Pugsley Park expresses gratitude to Senator Jeff Klein, so that the safety of the park can be returned to the local residents.
Below - Senator Klein, Bronx Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, Anibal Negron are joined by others from the community for this photo of strength in the community around Pugsley Park.