483009817-4-1-2022-01-CC-LLEI-CD9VKB-20220407163006

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 483009817
Report Date: 04/01/2022
Date Signed: 04/01/2022 02:24:37 PM

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
01/19/2022 and conducted by Evaluator Elpidia Hernandez Torres

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20220119091551

FACILITY NAME:	GROWING HEARTS EARLY LEARNING CENTER		FACILITY NUMBER:	483009817
ADMINISTRATOR:	PENNY BOWERS		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	1830 WEST TEXAS AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(707) 399-8113
CITY:	FAIRFIELD	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	94533
CAPACITY:	90	CENSUS: 36	DATE:	04/01/2022
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	12:50 PM
MET WITH:	Center Director Aly Bowers		TIME COMPLETED:	02:50 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff retaliated against parent for making a complaint

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Elpidia Hernandez Torres conducted a subsequent complaint investigation visit with Center Director for the purpose of delivering complaint investigation findings. It has been alleged that staff retaliated against a parent after making a complaint, specifically that the facility was now terminating services.

During the initial investigation, an interview was conducted with licensee, Center Director, two children, and one parent on 01/19/22, 01/21/22, 03/16/22, 03/21/22. Center Director provided LPA with enrollment packet, documents of children who are transported and the times, and schools that the center provides transportation to. Center Director and Licensee denied the allegations. Center Director stated services were terminated due to lack of staff and time/ schedule conflicts and not because a complaint was made. LPA reviewed messages between facility and parents regarding transportation and time pick-up changes. Parents reported to Center Director their child(ren) dismissal time was going to change beginning November 1st 2021.
Continued on 809-C

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Leslie Lepori	TELEPHONE: (707) 588-5060
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elpidia Hernandez Torres	TELEPHONE: (707) 771-5568
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/01/2022

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/01/2022

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 01-CC-20220119091551

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

FACILITY NAME: GROWING HEARTS EARLY LEARNING CENTER	FACILITY NUMBER: 483009817
	VISIT DATE: 04/01/2022

NARRATIVE

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Facility was picking up children from school between 11:30AM-12:00PM. Of the eight children on the pick-up list, six of them changed pick-up times between 01:30PM and 03:00PM, two children stayed on the 11:30AM-12:00PM pick-up time, of which only one of those children needed transportation one day a week from a school that is located two minutes away from the center. The other child (C1) needed transportation sporadically throughout the week involving a school that is located 15 minutes away from the center.

According to the investigation, parents contact the center the beginning of the week to schedule transportation services and to confirm availability. It was confirmed that C1’s transportation needs did change in which the facility claimed could no longer accommodate. Although, services were terminated following a submission of a complaint, the Center Director stated it was because C1 didn’t have a set schedule for transportation and that the Center did not have staff to stay within ratio while a different staff had to provide transportation to a singular child. In addition, transportation is a courtesy service when there is availability and not part of the admissions agreement. Parent relayed that she was never given the opportunity to find other transportation options in order to keep C1’s day care services. Licensee stated she never asked the parent if she could find her own transportation for C1 because of previous verbal conversations that occurred between center director and parent.

Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed, although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred, therefore the allegation is Unsubstantiated. This report was reviewed and discussed with Center Director, she was provided with a copy of this CIR; and Appeal Rights. All licensing reports are public information and must be made available upon request for at least three years.

There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited during today’s inspection.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Leslie Lepori	TELEPHONE: (707) 588-5060
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elpidia Hernandez Torres	TELEPHONE: (707) 771-5568
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/01/2022

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/01/2022

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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