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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197410785
Report Date: 05/29/2026
Date Signed: 05/29/2026 03:45:17 PM

Document Has Been Signed on 05/29/2026 03:45 PM - It Cannot Be Edited

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAYCARE-NO.WEST, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME:PACE - ST. JOHN HEAD START CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
197410785
ADMINISTRATOR/
DIRECTOR:		LYDIA VARGASFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:14517 CRENSHAW BLVD.TELEPHONE:
(424) 456-4889
CITY:GARDENASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90249
CAPACITY: 45TOTAL ENROLLED CHILDREN: 33CENSUS: 23DATE:
05/29/2026
TYPE OF VISIT:Case Management - IncidentUNANNOUNCEDTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION BEGAN:
01:40 PM
MET WITH: Debbie Kahwaji- Regional Site DirectorTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION COMPLETED:
04:00 PM
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On 05/29/2026 Licensing Program Analyst( LPA) Doris Whitmore, conducted a case management inspection to follow up on the Unusual Incident that occurred on 04/22/2026 /LPA toured the facility there were 23 children in care and 6 staff. LPA met with Debbie Kahwaji, Regional Site Director. LPA Whitmore asked additional questions relating to the incident. LPA Whitmore followed up and called Department of Children and Family Services and spoke to an representative. The purpose of the phone call was to follow up on the reports that were made 04/7/2026 and 05/07/2026. LPA obtained a copy of an Accident/ Incident Report.

Department of the Incident:


( C1) has consistently had concerning behavior since they have enrolled. On 4/22/2026, this child was observed attempting to touch teacher’s private parts, using curse words and attempting to use toys as weapons toward other children. Child has often been attempting to imitate firearms with toys and often acts aggressively toward other children. The school suggested a referral to mental health services to the child’s parents regarding the child’s behavior, but the parents denied this and got upset with the school. Staff called DCFS at 3:55pm and spoke to Terri Justice regarding the situation. Staff were informed by DCFS that they will not be opening an investigation, but did let the school know that they will be monitoring the situation due too a prior history with this child’s family.
Based on the documentation and further questions that were asked the incident will need further investigation. Exit Interview was conducted report was reviewed, & a notice of Site Visit was given to Regional Site Director, Debbie Kahwaji.
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Karren Starks
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Doris Whitmore
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE: DATE: 05/29/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE: DATE: 05/29/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
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California Health & Human Services Agency
California Department of Social Services

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT California law requires a public report of each licensing visit/inspection. This report is a record for the facility and the licensing agency. This report is available for public review; therefore, care is taken not to disclose personal or confidential information. Inquiries concerning the location, maintenance, and contents of these reports may be directed to the Licensing Program Analyst or Regional Office whose address and telephone number are listed on the front of this form.

DEFICIENCIES A deficiency is an instance of noncompliance with licensing requirements, including applicable statutes, regulations, interim licensing standards, operating standards, and written directives. Applicants/ licensees must be notified in writing of all licensing deficiencies. Deficiencies are listed on the left side of this form, and the applicable licensing requirement upon which the deficiency is identified. There are two types of deficiencies:
  • Type A deficiencies are violations of licensing requirements that, if not corrected, have a direct and immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of persons in care.
  • Type B deficiencies are violations of licensing requirements that, without correction, could become a risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of persons in care, a recordkeeping violation that could impact the care of said persons and/or protection of their resources, or a violation that could impact those services required to meet the needs of persons in care.

PLANS OF CORRECTION (POCs) The licensing agency is required to establish a reasonable length of time to correct a deficiency. In order to set the time, the licensing agency must take into consideration the seriousness of the violation, the number of persons in care involved, and the availability of equipment and personnel necessary to correct the violation. Applicants/licensees are requested to provide a specific plan for each violation on the right side of the form across from each deficiency. The more specific the plan, the less chance exists for any misunderstanding in setting time limits and reviewing corrections. The applicant/licensee who encounters problems beyond their control in completing the corrections within the specified time frame may request and may be granted an extension of the correction due date by the licensing agency.

CORRECTION NOTIFICATION The applicant/licensee is responsible for completing all corrections and promptly notifying the licensing agency of corrections. Applicants/licensees are advised to keep a dated copy of any correspondence sent to the licensing agency concerning corrections, or if corrections are telephoned to the licensing agency, the date, person contacted, and information given.

CIVIL PENALTIES The licensing agency is required by law to issue a Penalty Notice, when applicable, to all facilities holding a license issued by the licensing agency, or subject to licensure, except Certified Family Homes, Resource Families, and Foster Family Homes, or any governmental entity.

PENALTY NOTICE GIVEN The statement concerning civil penalties serves as a penalty notice on this Licensing Report and failure to correct cited licensing deficiencies will result in civil penalties. Applicants/ licensees are required to pay civil penalties when administrative appeals have been exhausted and in accordance with any payment arrangements made with the licensing agency.

APPEAL RIGHTS The applicant/licensee has a right without prejudice to discuss any disagreement in this report with the licensing agency concerning the proper application of licensing requirements. The applicant/ licensee may request a formal review by the licensing agency to amend or dismiss the notice of deficiency and/ or civil penalty. Requests for review shall be made in writing within 15 business days of receipt of a deficiency notification or civil penalty assessment. Licensing deficiencies may be appealed pursuant to the procedures in the LIC 9058 Applicant/Licensee Rights.

AGENCY REVIEW The licensing agency review of an appeal may be conducted based upon information provided in writing by the applicant/licensee. The applicant/licensee may request an office meeting to provide additional information. The applicant/licensee will be notified in writing of the results of the agency review within 60 business days of the date when all necessary information has been provided to the licensing agency.

EMAIL REQUIREMENT Adult Community Care Facilities, Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically Ill, and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly are required to provide and maintain an active email address of record with the licensing agency.

LIC809 (FAS) - (09/23)
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