March 23, 2009

The Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing (BCAL) has issued an order of summary suspension and notice of intent to revoke the license of Ingham County group child care home provider, Jennifer DePeel, #DG330271450, of Dansville. This action resulted from a recent investigation of a complaint of the group child care home.

The March 20 complaint investigation found violations of the Child Care Organizations Act and administrative rules regarding caregiver suitability and supervision, requirements for reporting arrests and convictions to BCAL and children's attendance records. BCAL took emergency action to protect the health, welfare and safety of children.

Effective 6 p.m., March 20, 2009, the summary suspension order prohibits Jennifer DePeel from operating a group child care home at 799 Walker Road, Dansville, or at any other address or location. Accordingly, she may not accept children for care after that date and time. The order also requires DePeel to inform all of the parents of children in her care that her license has been suspended and that she can no longer provide child care.

DePeel has held a license to operate a group child care home since April 26, 2005. The license was for 12 children.

Michigan law defines a group child care home as "a private home in which more than six but not more than 12 minor children are given care and supervision for periods of less than 24 hours a day, unattended by a parent or legal guardian, except children related to an adult member of the family by blood, marriage, or adoption. Group child care home includes a home that gives care to an unrelated minor child for more than four weeks during a calendar year."

For more information, please visit the DHS Web site at www.michigan.gov/dhs.