LAC 28:CLXI.1103. Critical Incidents and Required Notifications

A. An early learning center shall make immediate notification to emergency personnel, law enforcement as applicable, and other appropriate agencies for the following types of critical incidents involving children in care: 1. death; 2. serious injury or illness that required medical attention; 3. a child left unsupervised for any amount of time; 4. use of prohibited behavior management as described in §1509. of this Part; 5. allegations or suspicion of child abuse or neglect by center staff; 6. an accident involving the transportation of children; 7. any child given the wrong medication or an overdose of the correct medication; 8. any loss of power over two hours while children are in care; 9. a physical altercation between adults in the presence of children on the premises; 10. reportable infectious diseases and conditions outlined in LAC 51:II.105; 11. any other significant event relating to the health, safety, or well-being of any child, including but not limited to a lost child, an emergency situation, fire or other structural damage, or closure of the center. B. Prioritization of Notifications. The following shall be notified immediately and in the order listed below as applicable: 1. emergency personnel when dealing with any medical incident. 2. law enforcement. 3. parent. C. The following, as applicable, shall be notified via email within 24 hours of the incident, or no later than the next business day if the incident occurred on a Friday or on a recognized state holiday: 1. LDOE. This written notification shall be made for all of the critical incidents identified above, shall be made on the LDOE critical incidents report form, shall contain all information requested on the form, and shall be submitted to the location indicated on the critical incident form. 2. DCFS. Report all incidents that might constitute child endangerment including examples provided in mandated reporting training. 3. LDH. Report all incidents related to LDH regulations such as safety and sanitation issues as well as infectious diseases and conditions. 4. OSFM. Report all incidents related to OSFM regulations. 5. Any other appropriate agencies, including but not limited to, local or city fire marshal or the Department of Environmental Quality. D. The department shall be notified by written report within 24 hours of the incident or the next business day. This written notification shall be made on the department’s critical incidents report form and shall contain all information requested on the form. E. Reporting deadlines may be adjusted in the event of a natural catastrophe and/or disaster, as determined by the department. F. Child Safety and Minimum Standards Information. The LDOE shall provide information about child safety and minimum standards to each licensed center, no later than August first of each year. Each center shall distribute the document to the parents of all children enrolled in the center at the beginning of each school year. The document may be distributed electronically.