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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 045404371
Report Date: 05/08/2024
Date Signed: 05/08/2024 01:56:39 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO CC RO, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
01/29/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Tammy Dutra
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 13-CC-20240129084223

FACILITY NAME:SMART START PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
045404371
ADMINISTRATOR:THOMAS, JULIEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1565 EAST AVENUETELEPHONE:
(530) 897-6278
CITY:CHICOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95926
CAPACITY:106CENSUS: DATE:
05/08/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:22 PM
MET WITH:Ann NelsonTIME COMPLETED:
02:05 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff is under the influence of illegal drugs while providing care to day care children
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 5/8/24 at 1:22pm, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tammy Dutra and Sydney Sims conducted an unannounced complaint inspection and met with facility representative Ann Nelson. It was alleged that Staff #1 (S1) has been under the influence of illegal drugs while providing care to children.

The Licensee and the facility administrator were interviewed on 3/19/24. They stated that S1 has never had any complaints from other staff or parents since being employed. They both stated they have never seen any behavior that would indicate S1 was under the influence of drugs, and that S1 volunteered to be drug tested. S1 had informed them that someone in her personal life was harassing her and trying to “get her fired.”






Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Erin Virrueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tammy Dutra
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/08/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/08/2024
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
Control Number 13-CC-20240129084223
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO CC RO, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926
FACILITY NAME: SMART START PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 045404371
VISIT DATE: 05/08/2024
NARRATIVE
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Four staff were interviewed on 2/29/24, 3/6/24 and 3/12/24. All staff stated that they were familiar with S1 and had never seen anything to indicate that S1 was under the influence of drugs. Three children were interviewed on 3/19/24 and had positive feedback about S1. Three parents were interviewed on 4/3/24 and did not have any concerns with S1.

S1 was interviewed on 3/29/24 and denied the allegation. S1 stated that there someone in her personal life was harassing her and making false allegations. S1 stated she has never used illegal drugs and has never been under the influence of anything while at work.

During the investigation, staff records were reviewed, and the facility was toured.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred, and the findings are unsubstantiated.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the facility representative Ann Nelson.

Appeal rights were provided.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Erin Virrueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tammy Dutra
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/08/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/08/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 4