K Star Emergency Shelter
None, None, TX
Program
- Type
- General residential operation
- Licensed capacity
- 20
- Ages
- 0-17
- Hours
- -
- Director / administrator
- Melody Lowman
- Phone
- (830) 896-5437
- Regulated since
- May 26, 1995
- HHSC IDs
- Operation 110799 · number 254646
- Official record
- HHSC Child Care Search
Violations by category
Year by year
| Year | Violations | Serious | Main categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | Illness & medication (1), Staff background & training (1) |
| 2025 | 15 | 2 | Cleanliness & sanitation (2), Illness & medication (7), Supervision & ratios (2), Discipline & child guidance (1), Staff background & training (2), Records & paperwork (1) |
| 2024 | 16 | 3 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Supervision & ratios (3), Discipline & child guidance (3), Staff background & training (3), Records & paperwork (3), Other (3) |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 | Illness & medication (1), Discipline & child guidance (1), Records & paperwork (2) |
| 2022 | 6 | 0 | Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Supervision & ratios (2), Food & allergies (1), Staff background & training (1), Other (1) |
Enforcement actions
- Seen Oct 1, 2026 — Conditions on permit (HHSC operation record)
HHSC publishes these as current flags on the operation, not as dated actions. The date shown is when this site first saw the flag. The HHSC Child Care Search has the details.
Inspections, investigations & assessments
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Jul 8, 2026 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 21, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 13, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 13, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 9, 2026 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 23, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 20, 2026 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Illness & medication
Medication record for one child in care had errors on medication count being incorrect on three different medications and no error recorded.
HHSC 748.2151(b)(1) — Medication record - update cumulative record within 2 hours of administering medication
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2026-05-04. Correction verified 2026-05-13.
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Staff background & training
Operation had two staff records with expired trainings for psychotropic medication, trauma informed care and preventing and recognizing youth sexual abuse training.
HHSC 748.930(b)(5) — Annual Training- Caregivers must have psychotropic medication training if the caregiver administers psychotropic medication.
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2026-05-04.
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Illness & medication
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Feb 11, 2026 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 23, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 19, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Staff background & training
The operation failed to inactivate the background check for three staff member who are no longer employed by the operation.
HHSC 745.651(1) — Background Check Validation - You must inactivate a subject who is no longer associated with your operation within 7 days of leaving
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-12-01. Correction verified 2025-12-04.
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Staff background & training
-
Oct 3, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 30, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 9, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Sep 4, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 29, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 29, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 31, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 30, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 29, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
A bowl of cooked bacon was observed improperly stored on the kitchen counter.
HHSC 748.3443(a)(5) — Food Preparation-Food items must be refrigerated immediately after use & after meals, if the food requires refrigeration
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2025-07-29.
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Supervision & ratios
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Jul 23, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
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Illness & medication
A child in care was evaluated in the emergency department and subsequently prescribed antibiotics. The attending medical provider issued a prescription sufficient to treat both, the child who was examined and a sibling residing in the same placement, who exhibited similar but milder symptoms and was not formally assessed during the visit. While the provider conveyed verbal instructions regarding the administration of the medication, written orders were neither requested nor obtained. Despite the absence of written documentation, both children received the prescribed antibiotics.
HHSC 748.2003(b)(3) — AP Administration of prescription medication-Administer medications according to instructions or a prescribing health-care professional's orders
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-08-28. Correction verified 2025-08-29.
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Illness & medication
A review of two non-prescription medication logs indicated that several entries were incomplete, as they did not consistently document the strength and/or dosage of the medication administered to the child(ren) in care.
HHSC 748.2151(c)(4) — Medication record - must include medication name, strength and dosage
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-08-28. Correction verified 2025-08-29.
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Illness & medication
Review of the medication error incident report revealed that it did not include guidance provided by Poison Control. Specifically, Poison Control advised against administering the prescribed antibiotics following the accidental administration of Nyquil to children in care. This advisory was omitted from the documented incident report.
HHSC 748.2203(c)(5) — Medication Error-Document the health-care professional's medical recommendations
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-08-28. Correction verified 2025-08-29.
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Illness & medication
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Jul 21, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 17, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 2, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 9, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation
Food was observed to be expired.
HHSC 748.3441(a) — Food Preparation-Food & drinks must be of safe quality, stored, prepared, distributed, & served under sanitary & safe conditions
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2025-06-09.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
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Jun 2, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited (self-report)
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Staff background & training
The operation failed to inactivate a background check for a staff member who has not been employed by the operation for over a month.
HHSC 745.651(1) — Background Check Validation - You must inactivate a subject who is no longer associated with your operation within 7 days of leaving
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-07-25. Correction verified 2025-08-06.
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Staff background & training
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Jun 1, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
A staff member physically prevented a child from exiting an enclosed toy box as a form of punishment.
HHSC 748.1101(b)(4)(A) — Children's rights-The right to be free from any harsh, cruel, unusual, unnecessary, demeaning, or humiliating treatment or punishment.
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-07-08. Correction verified 2025-07-21.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
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May 28, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 21, 2025 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
A child was locked in a bathroom by a staff member while another staff member witnessed the incident and failed to intervene.
HHSC 748.2307(10) — Other Prohibited Punishments-placing a child in a dark room, bathroom, or closet
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2025-07-08. Correction verified 2025-07-21.
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Cleanliness & sanitation Serious
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May 20, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork
A review of one of the records revealed that the pre-employment affidavit form was not included.
HHSC 748.363(8) — Personnel records - Include a Pre-Employment Affidavit for Applicants for Employment as specified in Texas Human Resources Code ?42.0563
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-05-28. Correction verified 2025-06-03.
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Records & paperwork
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Mar 10, 2025 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 11, 2025 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Illness & medication
While reviewing a child's medication log it was found the child was administered medication on two dates and this was not documented on the medication log.
HHSC 748.2151(b)(1) — Medication record - update cumulative record within 2 hours of administering medication
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-02-18. Correction verified 2025-03-10.
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Illness & medication
Children medication logs did not provide the reason for medication being prescribed.
HHSC 748.2151(c)(3) — Medication record - must include reason medication was prescribed, for prescription medication
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-02-18. Correction verified 2025-03-06.
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Illness & medication
Medication logs reviewed did not have an accurate cumulative daily count following medication being dispensed to child.
HHSC 748.2151(d) — Medication Record-must include accurate daily count of each prescribed medication, unless operate on a cottage home model
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-02-18. Correction verified 2025-03-10.
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Illness & medication
A serious incident involving an injury to a child in care requiring treatment from an outside healthcare provider was not reported to the hotline. Verification call was made could not be provided.
HHSC 748.303(a)(2)(A) — AP Serious Incdt-Report to Licensing no later than 24 hours after injury/illness that warrants treatment by a medical professional or hospitalization
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2025-02-25. Correction verified 2025-03-10.
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Supervision & ratios
The operation has not completed a severe weather drill in over a year.
HHSC 748.3239(b) — Evacuation-Must practice severe weather drill at least once every 6 months from date of last severe weather drill
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-02-18. Correction verified 2025-03-06.
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Illness & medication
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Feb 7, 2025 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 20, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 20, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 12, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 6, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 21, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 19, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Discipline & child guidance
A staff member possessed and offered to use drugs with another staff member on the operation's property, this was not reported to licensing.
HHSC 748.303(e)(5)(A) — Serious Incident-Report to Licensing within 24 hours of awareness of allegation a person under auspices of operation abused drugs in past 7 days.
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2025-02-14. Correction verified 2025-02-19.
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Discipline & child guidance
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Nov 15, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 8, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 17, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 17, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 15, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork
More than one child and staff interviewed stated that the they are not allowed to make calls if they are short staffed.
HHSC 748.1111(b)(1) — Child Rights contact others-Document in the child's record any reason for restricting the child's mail or telephone calls
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2024-11-20. Correction verified 2024-12-06.
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Other
A staff member was placing children in their lap.
HHSC 748.507(1) — Employee general responsibilities-Demonstrate competency, prudent judgment, self-control in presence of children and when performing assigned tasks
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-11-20. Correction verified 2024-12-06.
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Supervision & ratios Serious
Staff was asleep during visit from licensing.
HHSC 748.685(a)(4) — Caregiver responsibility - providing the level of supervision necessary to ensure each child's safety and well-being
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-11-20. Correction verified 2024-12-06.
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Records & paperwork
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Oct 12, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 23, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
Permit was not present in a public and accessible area of the operation.
HHSC 748.191(1) — Required Postings-Post the permit in a prominent and publicly accessible place where others may easily view it at all times
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2024-08-28. Correction verified 2024-09-06.
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Staff background & training
Staff responsible for professional service level activities does not have the required education.
HHSC 748.563(c) — Professional level service provider-must meet specific educational and professional qualifications
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-09-06. Correction verified 2024-09-06.
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Staff background & training
General Pre-service trainings are absent from the operation.
HHSC 748.863(a)(1) — Pre-Service Training-All caregivers must receive 8 hrs of general pre-service training & 4hrs before being counted in child/caregiver ratio.
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-08-28. Correction verified 2024-09-23.
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Staff background & training
Staff did not complete EBI training within the appropriate time frame.
HHSC 748.863(a)(3) — Caregiver for child-care or prog. svcs only must have 8 hours EBI training, 4 before counted in ratio, rest in 90 days; 16hrs for treatment svcs
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-08-28. Correction verified 2024-09-25.
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Supervision & ratios
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Aug 22, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 19, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Aug 12, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
Operation did not have a preliminary service plan for the child.
HHSC 748.1331(a) — Preliminary Service Plan-Complete plan that addresses child's immediate needs within 72 hours of admission
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2024-09-23. Correction verified 2024-09-24.
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Supervision & ratios
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Aug 6, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 12, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 10, 2024 Report · Deficiencies cited
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
The operation did not conduct drug testing for the requested staff member within 24 hours of notification.
HHSC 745.4151(c)(4)(C) — Mandatory drug testing-employee that is subject of child abuse or neglect investigation must be drug tested within 24 hours of notification by DFPS
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-10-30. Correction verified 2024-11-15.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
This standard was found deficient as part of a DFPS Investigation.
HHSC 748.1101(b)(1)(B) — Children's rights-Adhere to the child's rights to be free of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
HHSC risk weight: High. Corrected 2024-10-30. Correction verified 2024-11-15.
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Other
Staff admitted to inappropriate interaction between them and a child in care during the child's residency.
HHSC 748.507(1) — Employee general responsibilities-Demonstrate competency, prudent judgment, self-control in presence of children and when performing assigned tasks
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-10-30. Correction verified 2024-11-15.
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Discipline & child guidance Serious
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Jun 4, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 30, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 17, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 15, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 16, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 11, 2024 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Records & paperwork
Child Rights Signature for child in care was not present in the child record.
HHSC 748.1103(d) — Informing child of rights-Person being informed must sign statement indicating he read and understands the rights-signed copy filed in child's record
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-04-16. Correction verified 2024-05-15.
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Records & paperwork
A child record did not have a hearing exam.
HHSC 748.1545(a) — Vision and hearing screening-must ensure that each child is screened; must have professional exam if problems are detected
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-04-16. Correction verified 2024-05-15.
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Other
Staff file showed a TB tested conducted outside of the given time frame from the date of hire.
HHSC 748.1583(a) — TB exam-Persons over 1 yr old who live, work, volunteer at facility have exam w/in 30 days, unless person had previous exam that meets requirements
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2024-04-16. Correction verified 2024-05-15.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
A damaged picnic table was present with protruding nails. A damaged bench was present. Over grown grass was present in the playground.
HHSC 748.3301(i) — Physical Site-Equipment and furniture must be safe for children and must be kept clean and in good repair
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2024-04-16. Correction verified 2024-05-15.
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Records & paperwork
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Apr 7, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 28, 2024 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Mar 11, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Feb 8, 2024 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 30, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 20, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Dec 18, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 28, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 17, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 15, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Discipline & child guidance
1 out of 2 employee records had signed and dated statement present.
HHSC 748.363(8) — Personnel records - Include signed dated statement by the employee that he must immediately report suspected child abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2023-06-29. Correction verified 2023-06-29.
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Discipline & child guidance
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Jun 8, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 7, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jun 6, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 22, 2023 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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May 19, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Apr 12, 2023 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Illness & medication
4 out of 4 records did not have immunization records present.
HHSC 748.1205(a)(7) — Admission Documentation-Includes child's immunization record
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2023-04-26. Correction verified 2023-05-01.
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Records & paperwork
4 out of 4 records showed that the preliminary service plan did not contain all the information previously gathered from the admission assessment with the new information.
HHSC 748.1331(c) — Preliminary Service Plan-Must be compatible with the information in the admission assessment
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2023-04-26. Correction verified 2023-05-01.
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Records & paperwork
4 out of 4 records did not include all signatures of the required service planning team members.
HHSC 748.1337(b)(1)(N) — Initial Service Plan-Include signatures of service planning team members that were involved in development of service plan
HHSC risk weight: Low. Corrected 2023-04-26. Correction verified 2023-05-01.
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Illness & medication
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Mar 21, 2023 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Nov 16, 2022 Assessment · Deficiencies cited
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Supervision & ratios
Quarterly EBI was not reported after multiple notifications made to facility.
HHSC 748.2953(b) — Evaluation-Operation's quarterly data on EBI's must be reported to Licensing no later than 15 days after the end of each quarter.
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-11-30. Correction verified 2023-01-03.
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Supervision & ratios
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Jul 22, 2022 Assessment · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jul 20, 2022 Inspection · Deficiencies cited
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Cleanliness & sanitation
Two bunk bed rails were loose in the red and blue room. The screws were loose on multiple bunkbeds. The blue room also contained a damaged bunk bed. Two of the showers had the shower handle loose.
HHSC 748.3301(i) — Physical Site-Equipment and furniture must be safe for children and must be kept clean and in good repair
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-08-03. Correction verified 2022-08-04.
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Other
Bedroom with the blue door and bunkbed contained lower bed with no mattress cover. Pillow was ripped as well.
HHSC 748.3365(b)(2) — Bedding-must provide each child with a mattress cover or protector unless mattress is waterproof
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected at inspection. Corrected 2022-07-20.
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Staff background & training
Training records are missing hours.
HHSC 748.363(11) — Personnel records-Include record of training and training hours
HHSC risk weight: Medium. Corrected 2022-08-03. Correction verified 2022-08-04.
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Supervision & ratios
No performance evaluation was provided for one of the two employee records reviewed. That same employee has been at the facility for about 2 years while a 90 day performance evaluation was received for the other employee.
HHSC 748.363(12) — Personnel records - Include any documentation of the person's performance with the operation
HHSC risk weight: Medium Low. Corrected 2022-08-10. Correction verified 2022-08-09.
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Food & allergies
Two of the childrens records contained no "Chronic Health Condition" on the front cover and on the Allergies section it contain "N/A" instead of "No Known Drug Allergies".
HHSC 748.393(b)(2) — Active child record-Includes known allergies and chronic conditions or "no known allergies" on exterior of record or in a clearly visible location
HHSC risk weight: Medium High. Corrected 2022-08-03. Correction verified 2022-08-04.
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Cleanliness & sanitation
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May 8, 2022 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 29, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 28, 2022 Inspection · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
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Jan 17, 2022 Report · No deficiencies cited (self-report)
No violations cited on this visit.
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Oct 18, 2021 Report · No deficiencies cited
No violations cited on this visit.
Get the full file
HHSC publishes inspections, investigations and assessments from October 2017 onward, with each cited deficiency and its risk weight. Investigation narratives, complaint files and older history require a public information request. The Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552) gives anyone the right to ask. You don't have to say why.
Email the request Printable letter (fax or mail)
- Send to
- HHSC Open Records Coordinator, MC-1070 · OpenRecordsRequest@hhs.texas.gov · fax 512-424-6586 · 4601 W. Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas 78751-3146 · agency instructions
Show the letter text
If something is happening now, report a concern to HHSC Child Care Regulation. For suspected abuse, contact your county child protective services or law enforcement.
Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation datasets on data.texas.gov. Last read Oct 1, 2026. Violation text is HHSC's own wording. The categories are ours, added to help you scan. About this data.