493002902-1-24-2024-01-CC-AHON-CZV2JW-20240126162659

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 493002902
Report Date: 01/24/2024
Date Signed: 01/24/2024 11:05:13 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 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
12/14/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Amy Strother

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20231214155414

FACILITY NAME:	HEAD START - CLOVERDALE		FACILITY NUMBER:	493002902
ADMINISTRATOR:	MARY STEELE		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	322 WASHINGTON STREET		TELEPHONE:	(707) 894-9072
CITY:	CLOVERDALE	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	95425
CAPACITY:	20	CENSUS: 16	DATE:	01/24/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	10:20 AM
MET WITH:	Mary Steele		TIME COMPLETED:	11:20 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Facility staff handled day care child in a rough manner.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Amy Strother made a subsequent complaint investigation inspection for the purpose of delivering the findings, and met with facility representative, Director Mary Steele (D1). It has been alleged that facility staff handled day care child in a rough manner, specifically that staff grabbed child (C1) forcefully sitting C1 down on the toilet, causing C1 to “fall” into the toilet during the summer months of 2022.

On 12/20/23, LPA Strother made an attempted visit to the facility, but was unable to meet with facility representatives due to the facility being closed for winter break. During the initial investigation visit to the facility on 01/08/24, LPA Strother met with D1. During the 01/08/24 visit, LPA conducted interviews with D1, two staff (S1 & S2), and received copies of records. During the course of the investigation, interviews were conducted between 12/15/23 and 01/19/24 with Adult 1 and Staff 4. Additional records were received on 01/19/24 and 01/22/24.

Continue on LIC9099-C

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Alexis Hollon	TELEPHONE: (707) 588-5036
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother	TELEPHONE: (707) 588-5077
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/24/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/24/2024

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 2

Control Number 01-CC-20231214155414

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

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

FACILITY NAME: HEAD START - CLOVERDALE	FACILITY NUMBER: 493002902
	VISIT DATE: 01/24/2024

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

All staff interviewed on 01/08/24 worked at the facility during the summer months of 2022 and denied the allegation. Staff interviewed stated that they can’t recall a time when a child was ever picked up and taken to the bathroom, stating that children walk themselves to the bathroom and can’t recall a child ever “falling” into the toilet. Only two of the staff interviewed stated that they help the children with bathroom and diapering needs, stating that aides and substitutes do not help the children in the bathroom. Staff reviewed the roster of children that were enrolled at the facility during the period of the alleged incident and were asked if they recalled any bathroom incidents occurring during that time. During interviews, three staff separately stated that the only incident that came to mind was a child, all naming the same child, had been sent home on two separate occasions due to two incidents of diarrhea or due to stomach upset, adding that the child wore diapers and was never put on the toilet while in care. Staff interviewed stated that it is a routine response and, in their policy, that any child who has two loose bowel movements is sent home and during the summer months of 2022, diarrhea was listed as a symptom of COVID-19. Staff corroborated that staff never force children to have their diapers changed, stating if a child is resistant, they can wait for the child to be ready if the diaper is wet, but call the child’s parent or authorized representative if the child has a bowel movement in a diaper and the child refuses the teachers help. Staff stated that they have had to call parents to come and change a bowel movement diaper on more than one occasion.

LPA reviewed records documenting detailed notes taken by staff about sending a child home on 05/23/22 due to two loose bowel movements, requesting a doctor’s note to return to school and a second incident about sending the same child home due to an upset stomach on 06/21/22, corroborating staff interviews.

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.

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

This report was reviewed and discussed with Facility Representative, Mary Steele. Appeal Rights were provided.

Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Alexis Hollon	TELEPHONE: (707) 588-5036
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother	TELEPHONE: (707) 588-5077
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/24/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/24/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 2