<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 010214249
Report Date: 05/07/2026
Date Signed: 05/07/2026 12:44:51 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
OAKLAND CC RO, 1515 CLAY STREET, SUITE 1102
OAKLAND, CA 94612
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
03/27/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Liam Bucsko
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 02-CC-20260327115727
FACILITY NAME:EPHESIAN CHILDREN'S CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
010214249
ADMINISTRATOR:UFOEGBUNE, VERONICAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1907 HARMON AVENUETELEPHONE:
(510) 653-2984
CITY:BERKELEYSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94703
CAPACITY:20CENSUS: 12DATE:
05/07/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:55 AM
MET WITH:Raquel YabutTIME COMPLETED:
12:55 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Staff member injured a child in care.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
On 05/07/2026 at 11:55 AM, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Liam Bucsko and Christina Watts conducted an Unannounced Subsequent Complaint Investigation at Ephesian Children’s Center. LPAs met with Director Raquel Balingit and explained the purpose of the investigation. Finding for the above allegation was delivered during the inspection.
Complainant alleges that a staff member injured a child in care. During the course of the investigation, LPAs inspected the facility, reviewed records and conducted interviews. It was determined that a staff member at the facility disciplined a child by flicking/thumping them on the mouth with a finger, resulting in bruising to their cheek.
Based on the interviews and information obtained throughout the investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, the allegation is SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 is being cited; see page 9099-D for details.
Exit interview was conducted with Substitute Director Joyce Barnes. Appeal Rights provided.
A Notice of Site Visit form was issued and must remain posted for 30 days.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Sherelle Johnson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Liam Bucsko
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/07/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/07/2026
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 02-CC-20260327115727
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
OAKLAND CC RO, 1515 CLAY STREET, SUITE 1102
OAKLAND, CA 94612

FACILITY NAME: EPHESIAN CHILDREN'S CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 010214249
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 05/07/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
05/21/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights:
(3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature.
This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Licensee stated that all staff will complete personal rights training and provide written proof to LPA of completion by 05/21/26.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Based on observation, interview, and record review, a teacher disciplined a child by flicking/thumping them on the mouth with a finger, which poses a potential risk to the health, safety, or personal rights to children in care.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Failure to correct will result in a $100 per day civil penalty until corrected. Repeat violations are $250 per violation and $100 per day until corrected.
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.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Sherelle Johnson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Liam Bucsko
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/07/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/07/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2