364801214-10-25-2024-09-CC-ANOE-DC3R2C-20241218113805

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 364801214
Report Date: 10/25/2024
Date Signed: 10/25/2024 01:02:21 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE CC RO, 3737 MAIN ST., SUITE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
10/04/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Susan Brewer

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 09-CC-20241004085144

FACILITY NAME:	PSD/ONTARIO HEAD START		FACILITY NUMBER:	364801214
ADMINISTRATOR:	MEENAKSHI VERMA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	555 W. MAPLE AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(909) 984-4117
CITY:	ONTARIO	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91762
CAPACITY:	224	CENSUS: 17	DATE:	10/25/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:24 AM
MET WITH:	Elizabeth Monroy, Teacher, and Rosa Martinez, Site Supervisor		TIME COMPLETED:	01:10 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff served moldy food to the daycare children

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On the above date and time, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Susan Brewer, arrived at the facility to continue a complaint investigation into the above allegation and to deliver findings. The LPA was greeted and granted entry into the facility by the Center Clerk. The LPA spoke with the new center Site Supervisor Rosa Martinez, explained the purpose of the investigation. The Site Supervisor left the facility temporarily and the LPA continued the investigaton with Teacher Elizabeth Monroy, present at the facility in the director's absence. The director returned at 10:35 AM to rejoin the investigation. A census was taken 17 children and 5 staff.

On 10/11/2024 LPA Susan Brewer, met with Director Meenakshi Verma to initiated the complaint investigation into the above allegation regarding Food Service. The LPA made observations, gathered facility records and conducted interviews pertinent to the investigation. On today's date, the LPA continued the investigation, made observations, gathered facility records and conducted interviews with pertinent parties.
See LIC9099C

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion: 0

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Noble
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Susan Brewer
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/25/2024

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/25/2024

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 09-CC-20241004085144

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE CC RO, 3737 MAIN ST., SUITE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

FACILITY NAME: PSD/ONTARIO HEAD START	FACILITY NUMBER: 364801214
	VISIT DATE: 10/25/2024

NARRATIVE

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It was alleged that staff served moldy food to the day care children. On 10/11/2024 and 10/25/2024, the Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Susan Brewer, made observations, obtained records and conducted interviews with parties pertinent to the investigation which revealed the following. During the first week of October 2024, a concern was brought to the attention of subject staff regarding a food item that appeared to have mold on it and additional food was requested. Other pertinent parties interviewed revealed that although it was reported that a food item had mold, the parties denied observing any food items with mold and addressed the matter by discarding all potentially spoiled items. In addition, the parties interviewed denied reporting the alleged incident to the center director Meenakshi Verma.

On 10/11/2024 the LPA S. Brewer, inspected the food storage refrigerators, freezers and pantries at the facility. The LPA observed frozen food items which were packaged with a label indicating a delivery date and a consume date. The LPA observed the food to fresh, however one frozen food item removed from the packaging appeared to have a white powder substance on it and discoloration. The LPA was unable to determine if the white powder was from a preservative, white flour or from the item thawing out after freezing. In addition, the LPA was unable to determine if the discoloration was from freezing the food, however the LPA could not define the observation as moldy food. The LPA was unable to find a expiration date on the packaging, only a delivery and consume date.

Pertinent parties interviewed described foods items listed on the menu, which are inspected for quality assurance upon delivery and receipt. In addition only fresh and canned foods are prepared at the center, while other fresh boxed milk, snacks and frozen foods such as muffins, pancakes and like foods received are thawed prior to serving but remain in the original package when served to the table for children. Pertinent parties interviewed stated day care children eat family style and children can open the packaged foods individually or a teacher can assist if needed. The LPA was unable to obtain any photos of the food that was alleged to have mold on it and unable to interview other pertinent parties. Based on the information gathered by the LPA through observations, records and interviews the allegation is determined to be unsubstantiated.

Although the allegation that facility staff served moldy food to daycare children may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. Exit interview was conducted and report was reviewed with Site Supervisor Rosa Martinez. A Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Noble
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Susan Brewer
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/25/2024

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/25/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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