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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 011441112
Report Date: 10/01/2025
Date Signed: 10/01/2025 03:31:48 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
OAKLAND ASC, 1515 CLAY STREET, STE. 310
OAKLAND, CA 94612
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
09/04/2025 and conducted by Evaluator David Doidge
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 15-AS-20250904164231
FACILITY NAME:ABILITY NOW BAY AREA, INC.FACILITY NUMBER:
011441112
ADMINISTRATOR:DECOSTE, MAUREENFACILITY TYPE:
775
ADDRESS:4500 LINCOLN AVENUETELEPHONE:
(510) 531-3323
CITY:OAKLANDSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94602
CAPACITY:100CENSUS: 41DATE:
10/01/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:40 PM
MET WITH:Interim Executive Director Leslie VisbalTIME COMPLETED:
03:45 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Client was inappropriately touched while in care

Client sustained injuries due to lack of care from staff
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 10/01/2025 at 12:00 PM, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) David Doidge and Andrew Christy arrived unannounced to deliver findings for the allegations above. LPAs met with Interim Executive Director Leslie Visbal and explained the reason for the visit.

During the investigation, LPAs reviewed and obtained the staff roster, client roster, and records for four (4) clients. LPAs conducted interviews with staff and witnesses.

Allegations: Client was inappropriately touched while in care.

Investigation Finding: A concern about potential abuse was reported to the department. The staff interviewed had never witnessed any staff member being inappropriate towards a client, nor heard of any staff being accused of being inappropriate toward a client. All staff reported individually that if they saw something they felt was inappropriate, they would immediately stop the other staff member and report it. S1, S2, S3 and S4 stated there are always two (2) staff members that assist with changing clients, and about five (5) staff members monitoring clients at all times. S3 reported that staff do not have assigned clients and rotate who they help change at every changing. Therefore this allegation is Unsubstantiated.

Continued on LIO9099-C
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Bennett Fong
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: David Doidge
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/01/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/01/2025
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 15-AS-20250904164231
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
OAKLAND ASC, 1515 CLAY STREET, STE. 310
OAKLAND, CA 94612
FACILITY NAME: ABILITY NOW BAY AREA, INC.
FACILITY NUMBER: 011441112
VISIT DATE: 10/01/2025
NARRATIVE
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Continued from LIC9099

Allegation: Client sustained injuries due to lack of care from staff.

Investigation Findings: It was reported to the department that a client had unexplained bruising to forearms and knees. S1 reports that at any given time, there are two to five staff monitoring clients, and that although verbal disagreements may occur, staff will intervene to prevent any physical altercation form occurring. S2, S3 and S4 reported never seeing a physical altercation between clients or staff take place at the facility. S1, S2 and S4 reported that, although clients and staff may bump into each other in hallways, physical altercations have not occurred. S4 reported that C1 did obtain bruises while in music class thought to be obtained from C1 playing a tambourine and striking it on C1’s thighs.A pillow was placed on C1’s lap the next time C1 participated in music class, and no more bruising has been observed. C1 also had bruises on C1’s forearms are in alignment with armrest on C1’s wheelchair. LPAs observed multiple staff in classrooms and in hallways always engaging and monitoring clients during visit. LPAs never saw a client unsupervised by at least two staff.Therefore this allegation is unsubstantiated.

Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did occur, Therefore the allegations above are unsubstantiated.

No deficiencies cited during visit.

Exit interview conducted and a copy of this report provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Bennett Fong
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: David Doidge
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/01/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/01/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2