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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 570311281
Report Date: 04/28/2021
Date Signed: 04/28/2021 03:06:03 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, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE 250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/08/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Chayntel Hunter
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 53-CC-20210208092911
FACILITY NAME:MERRYHILL SCHOOL-LA VIDAFACILITY NUMBER:
570311281
ADMINISTRATOR:ROBIN SWEENEYFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:222 LA VIDA WAYTELEPHONE:
(530) 753-9210
CITY:DAVISSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95618
CAPACITY:16CENSUS: DATE:
04/28/2021
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:30 PM
MET WITH:Principal, Robin Sweeney and Regional Director, Lisa NorrisTIME COMPLETED:
03:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Personal Rights - Daycare child not treated fairly while in care
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Due to COVID-19 pandemic, a teleinspection was conducted via Zoom. On April 28th, 2021 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Chayntel Hunter met with Principal, Robin Sweeney and Regional Director, Lisa Norris to deliver the findings of the complaint investigation, regarding the above allegation. In lieu of Principal's signature, LPA Hunter is emailing the report with a read receipt request.

During the course of the investigation, LPA Hunter conducted interviews, and obtained information pertaining to the allegation. It was alleged that a daycare child was not treated fairly while in care. During interviews conducted it was revealed that staff were told not to hold child (C1) and that if C1 continued to cry they would be sent home. It was also revealed that when other children cry, staff were also being told not to hold them.

Report continues on 9099-C.

Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Sharon Ogbodo
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Chayntel Hunter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/28/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/28/2021
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 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE 250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/08/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Chayntel Hunter
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 53-CC-20210208092911

FACILITY NAME:MERRYHILL SCHOOL-LA VIDAFACILITY NUMBER:
570311281
ADMINISTRATOR:ROBIN SWEENEYFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:222 LA VIDA WAYTELEPHONE:
(530) 753-9210
CITY:DAVISSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95618
CAPACITY:16CENSUS: DATE:
04/28/2021
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:30 PM
MET WITH:Principal, Robin Sweeney and Regional Director, Lisa NorrisTIME COMPLETED:
03:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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9
Neglect/Lack of Supervision - Staff did not properly observe a daycare child while in care
Other - Staff behavior poses as risk to daycare children while in care
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Due to COVID-19 pandemic, a teleinspection was conducted via Zoom. On April 28th, 2021 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Chayntel Hunter met with Principal, Robin Sweeney and Regional Director, Lisa Norris to deliver the findings of the complaint investigation, regarding the above allegation. In lieu of Principal's signature, LPA Hunter is emailing the report with a read receipt request.

During the course of the investigation, LPA Hunter conducted interviews, and obtained information pertaining to allegation. It was alleged that staff did not properly observe a daycare child while in care. Based on interviews conducted, LPA did not receive corroborating evidence to determine if the daycare child was being properly observed. It was also alleged that staff behavior poses as a risk to daycare children while in care. Although LPA received statements that staff were being told not to hold children, LPA did not receive additional evidence to support that staff behavior posed as a risk to children in care.

Report continues on 9099-C.

Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Sharon Ogbodo
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Chayntel Hunter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/28/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/28/2021
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 53-CC-20210208092911
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE 250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833
FACILITY NAME: MERRYHILL SCHOOL-LA VIDA
FACILITY NUMBER: 570311281
VISIT DATE: 04/28/2021
NARRATIVE
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Based on the information obtained throughout the course of this investigation the above allegations could not be substantiated or dismissed. Although the allegation 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 finding is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Exit interview was conducted. Appeal rights were printed and provided. Notice of Site Visit was provided and should remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Sharon Ogbodo
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Chayntel Hunter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/28/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/28/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 53-CC-20210208092911
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE 250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833

FACILITY NAME: MERRYHILL SCHOOL-LA VIDA
FACILITY NUMBER: 570311281
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 04/28/2021
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
04/29/2021
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)
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(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (1) To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff... (2) To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations... to meet his/her needs. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Principal and Regional Director stated that all staff will receive training on Title 22 personal rights regulations including: comforting children, how to handle children behaviors and finding appropriate solutions. Facility will also review policies and ensure all staff and parents are aware of the facility's policies.
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Based on statements taken and records reviewed, it was revealed that staff were told not to hold child (C1), or other children, and that if C1, or other children, continued to cry they would be sent home. This is an immediate health and safety risk to children in care.
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LPA is requesting a copy of the agenda and/or meeting notes from staff training, to be sent to LPA's email at:

chayntel.hunter@dss.ca.gov
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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: Sharon Ogbodo
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Chayntel Hunter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/28/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/28/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5
Control Number 53-CC-20210208092911
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE 250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833
FACILITY NAME: MERRYHILL SCHOOL-LA VIDA
FACILITY NUMBER: 570311281
VISIT DATE: 04/28/2021
NARRATIVE
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Other interviews revealed that children were denied entry into the facility for various reasons, outside of the facility's parent handbook. LPA reviewed the parent handbook and determined that the reasons children were denied entry did not match the information outlined in the parent handbook.

Based on the interviews and review of records, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. The following Title 22 Deficiency is being cited on the subsequent 9099-D page. Upon receipt of Type A citations, Principal shall post and provide copies of the LIC 9099-D for parents/guardians of children in care and for parents/guardians of newly enrolled children for the next 12 months. Licensee must also keep the signed LIC 9224, acknowledging receipt of LIC 9099-D in each child's file.

An exit interview was conducted with the Principal. Appeal rights were printed and provided. Notice of Site Visit was provided and should remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Sharon Ogbodo
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Chayntel Hunter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/28/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/28/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5