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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 103808850
Report Date: 01/19/2024
Date Signed: 01/19/2024 12:45:52 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO-CC, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
11/14/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Stephanie Vega-Gonzalez
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 04-CC-20231114102300
FACILITY NAME:STARTING BLOCKS CHILDREN'S ACADEMYFACILITY NUMBER:
103808850
ADMINISTRATOR:APRIL COXFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:3315 E SIERRA MADRETELEPHONE:
(559) 227-7036
CITY:FRESNOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93726
CAPACITY:39CENSUS: 6DATE:
01/19/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:00 AM
MET WITH:Sandra GrahamTIME COMPLETED:
11:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff handled day care children in a rough manner.
Staff yelled at day care children.
Staff threatened day care children.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 1/19/2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Stephanie Vega-Gonzalez conducted an unannounced complaint inspection at facility to deliver findings for the above-mentioned allegations. LPA met with Director, Sandra Graham who did not accompanied LPA during tour of facility both inside and outside. LPA explained the purpose of the inspection and took a census. LPA observed that Director and Staff 3 were both inside the preschool classroom 3 with a census of 6 children.

LPA interviewed day care parents, day care children, day care staff, and community members. LPA reviewed video footage of an incident that occurred on January 12, 2023, with Child 5 and Staff 7. Video footage shows that there are around 5 children lined up against a wall, indoors, waiting by the double doors that lead to the backyard and 9 children seated by cafeteria table, and 1 child being helped by Staff 3.

(Continue on LIC9099-C)
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion: 60
SUPERVISORS NAME: Juvenal Moctezuma
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Stephanie Vega-Gonzalez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/19/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/19/2024
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 4
Control Number 04-CC-20231114102300
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO-CC, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710

FACILITY NAME: STARTING BLOCKS CHILDREN'S ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 103808850
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 01/19/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
01/22/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(1)
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101223 Personal Rights (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 and other persons.
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Director, Sandra stated that they will submit a letterhead with the training topics, date, and time to the Department by POC due date of 1/22/2024.

Director, Sandra Graham stated that facility will conduct a training on best
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This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Through interviews obtained and video footage observations as stated in LIC9099 Complaint Investigation Report. This poses an immediate Health and Safety risk to children in care.
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practices, on how staff should handle children and speak them during difficult situations. Director stated that she will submit proof of training materials and a sign-in sheet of all staff's signature to the Department once training is completed.
Type A
01/22/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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101223 Personal Rights (a)The licensee shall ensure that each child ...:(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 including but not limited to:...
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Director, Sandra stated that they will submit a letterhead on how facility will ensure that children's rights are being followed at facility. Director stated they will submit letter to the Department by POC due date of 1/22/2024.
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This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Through interviews obtained and video footage observations as stated in LIC9099 Complaint Investigation Report. This poses an immediate Health and Safety risk to children in care
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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: Juvenal Moctezuma
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Stephanie Vega-Gonzalez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/19/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/19/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
Control Number 04-CC-20231114102300
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO-CC, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710
FACILITY NAME: STARTING BLOCKS CHILDREN'S ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 103808850
VISIT DATE: 01/19/2024
NARRATIVE
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Video footage shows Staff 7 going in and out of Preschool Classroom 3. Staff 7 is seen waving both of her arms up in the air, then down to her sides and yelling at Staff 3. Through interviews, LPA was informed during this incident with Staff 7 and Child 5, that Staff 7 was agitated, yelling, and shaking child. LPA was also informed that Child 5 was crying and not wanting to go with Staff 7. In the video footage, Staff 7 is seen struggling to hold Child 5 then grabbing Child 5 and forcefully holding child against their chest and carrying child out to the backyard. In video footage it shows that all other children were present and observed incident. LPA was informed by Staff 2 that Staff 7 is no longer working at facility since incident occurred.

Investigation revealed through evidence obtained that the following allegations, Staff handled day care children in a rough manner, Staff yelled at day care children, and Staff threatened day care children to be SUBSTANTIATED. Based upon video footage observations, and information gathered through interviews, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be SUBSTANTIATED.

Per California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, two TYPE A deficiencies are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.

LPA reviewed Children’s Personal Rights Regulation with Director which states; 101223 Personal Rights (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 and other persons. (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 including but not limited to: interference with functions of daily living including eating, sleeping or toileting; or withholding of shelter, clothing, medication or aids to physical functioning.

Upon receipt, Director shall post and provide copies of this licensing report to parents/guardians of children in care at the facility and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months." The Director was provided a copy of the "Fact Sheet" for AB 633 (Parent Notification Requirements), along with a copy of the relevant documents this date. A completed signed copy of the LIC 9224 will be placed in each child's file.

An exit interview conducted with Director, Sandra Graham. A copy of this report and Appeal Rights were provided and discussed with Director, Sandra Graham
A Notice of Site Visit Form was posted to parent's board and must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Juvenal Moctezuma
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Stephanie Vega-Gonzalez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/19/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/19/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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