426207705-5-20-2024-17-CC-MMUR-D5FTMQ-20240520145127

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 426207705
Report Date: 05/10/2024
Date Signed: 05/20/2024 01:11:14 PM

Substantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/16/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Gigi Reyes

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 17-CC-20240216162548

FACILITY NAME:	ORFALEA CHILDREN'S CENTER LAB SCHOOL AT AHC		FACILITY NUMBER:	426207705
ADMINISTRATOR:	MARIA SUAREZ		FACILITY TYPE:	830
ADDRESS:	800 SOUTH COLLEGE DRIVE		TELEPHONE:	(805) 922-6966
CITY:	SANTA MARIA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	93454
CAPACITY:	24	CENSUS: 6	DATE:	05/10/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	02:30 PM
MET WITH:	Magdalena Ramos		TIME COMPLETED:	03:40 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Licensee is not providing a safe environment for day care children,
Presence of gas smell

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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This is an amendment of the original report dated 5/10/2024 to add the name (SoCal) of gas company, to correct the nature of complaint allegation. The deficiency was changed to Type B.

On 5/10/2024 at 2:30 PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Gigi Reyes conducted an unannounced inspection to conclude the complaint investigation of the above complaint allegation received by the department on 2/16/2024. LPA met with Lead Teacher, Magdalena Ramos and explained the nature of the inspection. There were 6 infants, and 4 teachers present during the inspection. Director Maria Suarez arrived at the CCC 20 minutes later.
The complainant stated that a gas leak was noticed on or about January 25, 2024, and as part of the investigation, observations were made, interviews were conducted with staff, parents, and director to determine the validity of the allegation.
On 2/16/2024, during the tour of the CCC, LPA observed the gas shut off valve located by the diaper changing station, which is attached to the infant and observation room was temporarily open and an outdoor furniture was covering the location of the valve to obstruct access to it.
Continued on 9099C.

Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Maria Mueller	TELEPHONE: (805) 562-0410
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gigi Reyes	TELEPHONE: (805) 698-7114
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/10/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024

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 17-CC-20240216162548

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117

FACILITY NAME: ORFALEA CHILDREN'S CENTER LAB SCHOOL AT AHC	FACILITY NUMBER: 426207705
	VISIT DATE: 05/10/2024

NARRATIVE

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LPA's interview with the staff (Staff 1-6) revealed that the gas smell had been present at the center since the re-opening of the CCC from winter break approximately on or about January 25, 2024. Daily health checklist documented the gas smell, indicating that this is a persistent issue. Staff also reported that gas smell was causing them headaches. Due to the gas smell, staff avoided using the diaper changing table outside of the classroom.

This concern was immediately brought to the Director's (Maria Suarez) attention approximately last week of January, 20024. LPA interviewed a maintenance staff (Staff#8) who confirmed the presence of the gas smell. Staff #8 made aware of the gas leak not until first week of February. Staff # 8 reported the gas smell to Staff#8's supervisor, Bridget L. Tate, Maintenance Supervisor of Allan Hancock College who then hired a contractor to address the issue.

Despite the management's attempts to resolve the issue, the gas smell persisted, which only indicates a potential serious safety concern. Also, despite the reported gas leak the management of the CCC did not suspend the classes.

On February 29, 2024., Southern California ordered the closure of the CCC from March 1^st, up to March 6^th, 2024. CCC re-opened on March 5, 2024, closing some parts of the yard while the SoCal gas technicians continued in resolving the issue at this center.

Today, May 10, 2024, LPA's interview with Director Maria Suarez revealed, that she had a constant communication with the Allan Hancock College Maintenance Department who informed the Director that it was safe.
Continued on LIC 9099C

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Maria Mueller	TELEPHONE: (805) 562-0410
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gigi Reyes	TELEPHONE: (805) 698-7114
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/10/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 4 of 4

Control Number 17-CC-20240216162548

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117

FACILITY NAME: ORFALEA CHILDREN'S CENTER LAB SCHOOL AT AHC	FACILITY NUMBER: 426207705
	VISIT DATE: 05/10/2024

NARRATIVE

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Based on LPAs observations and interviews conducted, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 or Health and Safety Code are being cited on the attached LIC 9099 D.1 Type B deficiency is being cited.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director, Maria Suarez. Appeal rights was given to the Director.

Notice of Site visit was issued and must be posted within 30 days.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Maria Mueller	TELEPHONE: (805) 562-0410
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gigi Reyes	TELEPHONE: (805) 698-7114
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/10/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 4

Control Number 17-CC-20240216162548

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117

FACILITY NAME: ORFALEA CHILDREN'S CENTER LAB SCHOOL AT AHC	FACILITY NUMBER: 426207705
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 05/10/2024

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B 05/13/2024 Section Cited CCR 101238(a)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	(a) The child care center shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair at all times to ensure the safety and well-being of children, employees and visitors. This requirement is not met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Director, Maria Suarez agreed to submit a written plan of correction to CCL outlining steps to ensure the timely resolution of high-risk incident no later than 5/13/2024. gigi.reyes@dss.ca.gov
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	A gas leak/smell in the infant classroom that persisted for approximately 4 to 6 weeks before it was resolved with the intervention of the gas company. Any gas leak should be immediately reported to Gas company. This poses a potential risk to health and safety of children 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.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Maria Mueller	TELEPHONE: (805) 562-0410
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gigi Reyes	TELEPHONE: (805) 698-7114
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/10/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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