The Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Children and Adult Licensing issued an order of summary suspension and notice of intent to revoke the certificate of registration of Berrien County family day care home provider Darlene Cauffman, 1073 Carberry Road, Niles, Michigan. This action resulted from a recent investigation of a complaint of the child day care family home.

The June 21, 2006, complaint investigation found violations of the Child Care Organizations Act and administrative rules regarding caregiver and child care family home. OCAL took emergency action to protect the health, welfare, and safety of children.

Effective 6:00 p.m., June 23, 2006, the Summary Suspension Order prohibits Darlene Cauffman from operating a family day care home at 1073 Carberry Road, Niles, Michigan or at any other address or location. Accordingly, she may not accept children for care after that date and time. The order also requires Ms. Cauffman to inform all of the parents of children in her care that her certificate of registration has been suspended and that she can no longer provide day care.

Ms. Cauffman has held a certificate of registration to operate a family day care home since March 22, 2004. The certificate of registration was for six children.

Michigan law defines a day care family home "as a private home in which 1 but fewer than 7 minor children are received for 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."