191502401-9-24-2021-28-AS-LHIS-C85MZF-20211025100303

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 191502401
Report Date: 09/24/2021
Date Signed: 09/24/2021 01:16:41 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. ST 500
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
09/16/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Cynthia D Chan

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 28-AS-20210916112152

FACILITY NAME:	MERCI SCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	191502401
ADMINISTRATOR:	MARTA ESCANUELAS		FACILITY TYPE:	775
ADDRESS:	525 AND 527 NORTH CHANDLER		TELEPHONE:	(626) 289-8817
CITY:	MONTEREY PARK	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91754
CAPACITY:	145	CENSUS: 27	DATE:	09/24/2021
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:40 AM
MET WITH:	Alex Stott, Staff		TIME COMPLETED:	01:25 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Facility staff handled client in a rough manner.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Cynthia Chan conducted an initial complaint investigation for the allegation listed above. LPA arrived unannounced at 9:45 a.m. and met with Alex Stott. The reason for the visit was explained. Bernice La Scala, the Associate Director of Program, arrived shortly thereafter to assist.

The investigation consisted of the following:

LPA Chan toured the day program with Staff Alex. LPA interviewed a total of 8 Staff and 4 Clients and obtain copies of the following documents: Staff roster, Client roster, Zero Tolerance Policy, Client #1's (C1) Face Sheet, Physician's Report, Appraisal/Needs and Services Plan, Individual Program Plan, and Incident Report dated 9/14/2021 along with the program's internal investigation findings.

(Continue on LIC9099C)

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Lisa Hicks
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Cynthia D Chan
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/24/2021

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/24/2021

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 28-AS-20210916112152

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. ST 500
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: MERCI SCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 191502401
	VISIT DATE: 09/24/2021

NARRATIVE

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The investigation revealed the following:
Based on interviews conducting with the staff, none of the staff have seen any staff handle clients in a rough manner. LPA held interviews with 6 instructors (2 per classroom) and none have observed any staff grabbing or hitting a client. The other 2 Administrative Staff also have not seen staff being aggressive with the participants but had heard that a staff grabbed a client by the left arm. Staff stated they have continuous training on different topics every month or as needed and have a Zero Tolerance Policy. They are also mandated reporters and if they see something not right, they will report it immediately. LPA interviewed 4 Clients in which one stated a staff grabbed the client by the right arm, the neck, and the shirt collar whose statements were inconsistent with the initial reporting. The other 3 stated the staff are nice and have not seen any staff grab or hit them or others. LPA interviewed Staff #1 who denied ever grabbing the client anywhere. Staff stated the client is pretty independent and does not need much assistance from the staff. According to the Associate Director, an internal investigation was also conducted and did not find any supporting evidence of this allegation.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

An exit interview was conducted. A copy of this report and appeal rights were provided to the Associate Director.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Lisa Hicks
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Cynthia D Chan
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/24/2021

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/24/2021

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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