Child Injury Lawyer Blog
By Sara J. Powell, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
The Arizona Department of Health Services – Division of Licensing Services – Office of Child Care Licensing has the responsibility to regulate and monitor day care centers / child care facilities, public school care programs and child care group homes across the State of Arizona. Before selecting a day care center / child care facility for a child, parents and caregivers should do some research and investigation as to the licensing and enforcement history of the facility. In addition, a parent or caregiver should visit or screen the facility before enrolling the child in the day care program. You can look up a day care center / child care facility and get basic information and licensing information for the facility at Child Care Provider – Search Form.
A former teacher and band director for Pass Christian High School has been charged with the sexual battery of another victim under 18 years old. Apparently, Joseph Eugene Council, the former teacher, confessed this crime to police investigators. This child was 17 years old. The initial charges involved a 14 year old.
California day care centers / child care centers are regulated by the State of California – Health and Human Services Agency – Department of Social Services. The California Child Care Regulations cover a wide area of matters including but not limited to operation, maintenance, supervision, and enrollment. The regulations can be accessed online at 
Children with disabilities are the unfortunate victims of improper and negligent seclusion and restraints in school systems throughout the nation. This, in turn, has lead to some serious personal injuries, and, in some cases, the wrongful and preventable death of a disabled child. In Texas, Cedric Napolean (age – 14) was one such victim who died when a teacher laid on top of the Cedric when Cedric would not remain seated in the classroom. This case went to a grand jury in Texas as a homicide. While the grand jury ultimately did not recommend pursuit of the criminal charges, the death of Cedric Napolean does help illustrate the dangers to disabled children in school systems when they are retrained in an attempt to punish or instruct a child. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that some restraints have been implemented when students are not even being physically aggressive or dangerous.
Day care centers in North Carolina and other states provide children with recreational activities like swimming especially during summer months. Children love to play in and around water. Young children often times do not appreciate the dangers of water. Furthermore, young children lack judgment as to their swimming abilities or lack of swimming abilities. As such, North Carolina has set forth specific staffing requirements for staff ratios when children participate in aquatic activities which include boating, swimming, and visits to water parks. North Carolina day care centers are required to have the following staff ratios in place for aquatic activities:
In New Hampshire and other states, school bus drivers have a duty to provide for proper safety and supervision of children. Children should not be left unattended or unsupervised at any time. This procedure or policy is part of the policy manual for many school districts and school boards as well as for many private bus companies. These policies are in place because children who are left unattended or unsupervised on a school bus are at higher risk for serious personal injury In Sommersworth, New Hampshire, a 3 year old boy was left unattended on a school bus while the school driver ran errands. The child was locked on the bus and left alone for 45 minutes. The school bus driver was later disciplined for the terrible lapse in judgment. Fortunately, the child did not suffer any serious physical injuries from being left on the bus. You can read about this story at 
