<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 293616287
Report Date: 07/07/2025
Date Signed: 07/07/2025 11:05:44 AM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
05/08/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Matthew Gallo
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20250508103024
FACILITY NAME:STEPPFACILITY NUMBER:
293616287
ADMINISTRATOR:CRUZ, MALISSAFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:11661 DONNER PASS ROADTELEPHONE:
(530) 582-2646
CITY:TRUCKEESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
96161
CAPACITY:24CENSUS: 0DATE:
07/07/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:15 AM
MET WITH:Cindy MacielTIME COMPLETED:
11:15 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Teacher engaged in alteracation with an adult student in front of children in care.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
At 10:15 on 7/7/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Matthew Gallo met with facility representative Cindy Maciel to deliver findings to complaint investigation into the above allegation. No children were in care today.

Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA conducted observation, interviews, and record review related to the allegation that a staff member engaged in a verbal altercation with a parent in the presence of day care children. LPA determined through interview and review of written staff statements that two parents arrived at the facility on 5/7/2025 to pick up the belongings of their recently disenrolled child. Due to extraneous circumstances, the parents had been told not to come onto campus property. While walking past the outdoor play area to leave, the parents made taunting comments to a staff member (S1), whose child was recently involved in a physical altercation with one of the parents. Based on staff interviews and written statements, S1 did not de-escalate the situation. Emotions heightened, with one of the parents picking up a rock as if to throw it, and the other parent threatening both S1 and S1’s child. Children in care were present at the time. Report continues on 9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/07/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/07/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 1 of 3
Control Number 03-CC-20250508103024
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
FACILITY NAME: STEPP
FACILITY NUMBER: 293616287
VISIT DATE: 07/07/2025
NARRATIVE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
The preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the allegation is SUBSTANTIATED.

A Title 22 Deficiency is cited on the following 9099-D

Licensee acknowledges, that FOR TYPE A DEFICIENCIES ONLY upon receipt, licensee shall post LIC 9099-D with Type A deficiencies for 30 days and provide copies of this licensing report to parents/guardians of children in care at the facility and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. LIC 9224 must be signed by parents/guardians and kept with the children's forms as a receipt whenever any Type A documents are provided by the licensee. LIC 9224 and Appeal Rights were provided.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the facility representative, Cindy Maciel. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/07/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/07/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 03-CC-20250508103024
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: STEPP
FACILITY NUMBER: 293616287
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 07/07/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
07/08/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(2)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
101223(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (2) To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations...to meet his/her needs.
This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Facility adminstration has met with the staff member and established safety plan and protocol for all staff members to de-escalate emotionally heightened situations. This plan and protocol will be implemented in the training of all staff.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Based on interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to a teacher not de-escalating a verbal altercation with two parents, leading to the parents exhibiting aggressive behavior in front of children. This posed an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/07/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/07/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3