157806085-9-19-2024-32-CR-GGAA-DA5VCG-20241017161908

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 157806085
Report Date: 09/19/2024
Date Signed: 09/19/2024 10:16:55 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CRP RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. #200A
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
04/15/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Dawn Mahecha

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 32-CR-20240415153039

FACILITY NAME:	BRIGHTER HORIZON TREATMENT CENTER: MAGNOLIA		FACILITY NUMBER:	157806085
ADMINISTRATOR:	LAURA DANIELS		FACILITY TYPE:	733
ADDRESS:			TELEPHONE:
CITY:		STATE:	ZIP CODE:
CAPACITY:	6	CENSUS: 5	DATE:	09/19/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:15 AM
MET WITH:	Laura Daniels, Administrator		TIME COMPLETED:	10:30 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff did not follow proper reporting requirements.
Staff did not provide adequate supervision, resulting in a minor frequently AWOLing.
Staff are not ensuring that a minor receives mental health services.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 9/19/2024 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Dawn Mahecha made an unannounced visit to the Brighter Horizon Magnolia Home for the purpose of a complaint investigation. LPA met with Administrator and discussed the identified findings to complaint investigation.
Investigation consisted of the following: On 4/24/2024 LPA Lofton meeting with representative (see confidential names LIC811, dated 4/24/2024). LPA Lofton informed representative that LPA Mahecha would follow up with agency regarding documents needed for the investigation. On 4/4/2024 LPA reviewed clients file and reviewed supportive documents. LPA obtained incident reports, law enforcement contact and child's needs and service. LPA interviewed child in which investigation involved and Administrator. Between 6/19/2024 and 7/23/2024 LPA Elnora Smith interviewed additional children, witnesses and staff.
Investigation revealed the following: It was alleged staff did not follow proper reporting requirements. Administrator and staff denied the allegation. Staff stated that child was reported missing and that county and state agencies were notified in a timely manner of child being on run away. Additionally, staff stated that when child told them they were assaulted while on runaway they notified placing agency

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Yan Yeung
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dawn Mahecha
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/19/2024

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/19/2024

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 32-CR-20240415153039

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CRP RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. #200A
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: BRIGHTER HORIZON TREATMENT CENTER: MAGNOLIA	FACILITY NUMBER: 157806085
	VISIT DATE: 09/19/2024

NARRATIVE

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and submitted SIR to notify agencies of assault and what agency was doing to protect child. Interviews conducted with children stated that facility staff will report runaway status by calling law enforcement. Two (2) children stated that staff will shadow them when leaving and try to redirect them to come back.

It was also alleged, staff did not provide adequate supervision, resulting in child frequently running away. Administrator and staff denied the allegation. Staff stated that they will verbally redirect children not to leave and warn children of the dangers of running away. Staff stated they will shadow children still trying to verbally redirect them until children run off and are out of sight. Staff identified having adequate staffing to meet the needs of children but that some children just leave anyway even though staff redirect. Staff stated the child in which this investigation involved frequently ran away from facility and that child was talked to regularly. Staff stated that social workers were notified of behaviors and that staff were trying to do all they could to monitor child. Interviews conducted with children stated that staff will redirect them and that their is enough staff to monitor them throughout the day.

Lastly it was alleged, staff are not ensuring that a minor receives mental health services. Staff denied the allegation. Staff stated that children meet with therapist regularly unless they refuse. Children stated they meet with the house therapist once a week or regularly as part of their plan. Interview conducted with one witness identified having difficulty working with children based on facility not being in facility or scheduling outings during scheduled therapy times. However, LPA was unable to identify any supportive documents to corroborate statement made by witness.

LPA attempted to contact county social workers and additional witnesses regarding allegations, however, documents reviewed identified that agencies had no concerns with children being placed in the home or care being provided by facility. Additionally, documents showed that staff did report incidents to all required agencies and followed procedures and policies. Reviewed staff roster showed adequate staffing to care for the clients in care.

Based on information gathered, although the allegation may have happened or is valid, the preponderance of evidence to prove the allegation was not met, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated.

An exit interview was conducted. A copy of this report Confidential Names Form, and Appeal Rights were provided to the Administrator. There were no deficiencies cited during this inspection.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Yan Yeung
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dawn Mahecha
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/19/2024

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/19/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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