Review of Head Start Health and Safety Standards at Community Action for Improvement, Inc.

Community Action for Improvement, Inc. (the Grantee), located in Georgia, generally complied with Federal and State Head Start regulations on ensuring the health and safety of children in its care. However, as of August 2009, the files on 2 of the Grantee's 232 employees did not contain evidence of criminal record checks, and the Grantee's 14 childcare facilities did not meet all Federal Head Start and State regulations on protecting children from unsafe materials and equipment. The Grantee's failure to consistently comply with Head Start regulations jeopardized the health and safety of children in its care.

We recommended that the Grantee consistently follow its existing procedures to ensure that (1) all employee criminal record checks are completed and employee files contain evidence of the checks; (2) all electrical outlets are covered with protective caps, fire extinguishers are inspected annually, and first aid kits are complete and current; (3) all unsafe materials and equipment are stored in locked areas out of the reach of children; and (4) all necessary repairs are completed. The Grantee agreed with our recommendations and described its actions to address the deficiencies that we identified.