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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 045002629
Report Date: 01/17/2023
Date Signed: 01/17/2023 01:34:19 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO - RESIDENTIAL, 520 COHASSET RD., STE. 170
CHICO, CA 95926
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
11/03/2022 and conducted by Evaluator Rebecca Knight
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 25-AS-20221103121927
FACILITY NAME:STEPPING STONES CCFFACILITY NUMBER:
045002629
ADMINISTRATOR:KUSSEROW-FRAZIER, ANNETTEFACILITY TYPE:
735
ADDRESS:215 VALLEY VIEW DRTELEPHONE:
(530) 534-4464
CITY:OROVILLESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95966
CAPACITY:6CENSUS: 4DATE:
01/17/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:25 PM
MET WITH:Annette Kusserow-FrazierTIME COMPLETED:
01:35 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff used mind-altering inhalants during work hours - SUBSTANTIATED
Facility’s wooden deck is in disrepair - SUBSTANTIATED
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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01/17/2023 12:15 PPM Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Rebecca Knight, made an unannounced visit to the facility and met with licensee Annette Frazier. The purpose of this visit was to deliver the results of a complaint investigation. Prior to initiating the visit, LPA completed a daily self-screening questionnaire for symptoms of COVID-19 infection to affirm no COVID-19 related symptoms. LPA ensured they applied hand sanitizer before entering the facility and the following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was worn: N95 mask, gloves.
During the course of the investigation the licensee and 2 staff were interviewed. LPA requested the following documents from licensee: Resident list, staff list with telephone numbers, bids for repair of facility wooden deck. LPA received the following documents from licensee to investigate the above allegations: staff telephone numbers.

Continued on LIC9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Troy Ordonez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Rebecca Knight
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/17/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/17/2023
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 3
Control Number 25-AS-20221103121927
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO - RESIDENTIAL, 520 COHASSET RD., STE. 170
CHICO, CA 95926
FACILITY NAME: STEPPING STONES CCF
FACILITY NUMBER: 045002629
VISIT DATE: 01/17/2023
NARRATIVE
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Staff used mind-altering inhalants during work hours - SUBSTANTIATED

Licensee stated that in March of 2021 she found Whip-It cannisters (nitrous oxide charger) when she was cleaning the garage and went to empty the trash. Licensee stated she fired both Staff 1 (S1) and Staff 2 (S2) after she found the cannisters because at the time she didn’t know which one of them had used the cannisters while working in the facility. Licensee stated they both went outside through the garage, they were taking more and longer breaks. Licensee stated that Staff 1 (S1) admitted to using Whip-It in the facility at a later date. Licensee stated she re-hired S1 in November 2022 and they started working in the facility again in December 2022. Licensee stated she believes that S1 has “changed their ways.”

It was determined that S1 was using mind altering inhalants during work hours. The allegation is substantiated.

Facility’s wooden deck is in disrepair - SUBSTANTIATED

During LPA’s visit to the facility on 11/17/2022 at 12:36 PM LPA observed a decking board was missing in a section of the deck and was partially covered with a plant container. LPA documented this with a photograph. LPA observed the overall condition of the decking to be in rough condition but did not note any additional missing decking boards.

Licensee stated they have completed some small repairs to the deck, her husband is a carpenter and is going to re-build the entire deck with Trex decking for the flooring. Licensee stated they intend to complete the repair before mid-March 2023.

This allegation is substantiated.

Continued on LIC9099-D

SUPERVISORS NAME: Troy Ordonez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Rebecca Knight
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/17/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/17/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 25-AS-20221103121927
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO - RESIDENTIAL, 520 COHASSET RD., STE. 170
CHICO, CA 95926

FACILITY NAME: STEPPING STONES CCF
FACILITY NUMBER: 045002629
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 01/17/2023
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
01/31/2023
Section Cited
CCR
80065g)
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80065(g) Personnel Requirements (g) All personnel, including the licensee, administrator and volunteers, shall be in good health, and shall be physically, mentally, and occupationally capable of performing assigned tasks. This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Licensee agrees to hold in-service training with all staff to review the facility's drug and alcohol policy. Licensee shall submit sign-in sheet and written confirmation of training completion to CCL by 01/312023 to clear the deficiency.
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Based on LPA interviews it was determined that the licensee failed to ensure that S1 was not under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol while at work. S1 was not competent to provide care and supervision to the clients. Although S1 was fired for this incident, S1 was subsequently re-hired and is currently working in the facility. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to residents in care.
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The proof of correction is to be received by LPA Knight by 01/31/2023.
Type B
01/31/2023
Section Cited
CCR
80087
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80087 Buildings and Grounds (a) The facility shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair at all times for the safety and well-being of clients, employees and visitors. This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Licensee has completed repairs that were observed by LPA. Licensee agrees to complete replacement of deck by 03/31/2023 to clear the deficiency. Licensee agrees to send LPA Knight photographs of the repair once completed.
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Based on LPA observation it was determined that the licensee failed to ensure that the facility deck was in good repair. This poses a potential health and safety risk to residents in care.
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The proof of correction is to be received by LPA Knight by 03/31/2023.
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: Troy Ordonez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Rebecca Knight
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/17/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/17/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3