197608043-9-24-2024-31-AS-RRAZ-D9VMTB-20241009095315

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197608043
Report Date: 09/24/2024
Date Signed: 09/24/2024 01:49:06 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
N LA & CEN COA AC/SC, 21731 VENTURA BLVD., STE. 250
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
09/21/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Evelin Rios

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 31-AS-20230921152950

FACILITY NAME:	BOOTS BETTER LIVING		FACILITY NUMBER:	197608043
ADMINISTRATOR:	WILLIE JORDAN		FACILITY TYPE:	735
ADDRESS:	3021 KILDARE STREET		TELEPHONE:	(661) 951-9548
CITY:	LANCASTER	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	93536
CAPACITY:	6	CENSUS: 6	DATE:	09/24/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	12:30 PM
MET WITH:	Willie Jordan		TIME COMPLETED:	02:00 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff does not safeguard resident's personal belongings.
Staff withholds resident's personal belongings.
Staff leave residents locked out of facility.
Staff does not allow resident to practice religious beliefs.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Evelin Rios conducted an unannounced subsequent complaint visit to this facility to continue the investigation and deliver determinations for the above allegations. LPA was greeted by administrator Willie Jordan who granted access. LPA explained the reason for the visit. An entrance interview was conducted.

A physical plant tour was conducted to ensure the health and safety of the clients in care. No issues or concerns were observed.

To investigate the allegation LPA Rios conducted an initial complaint visit on 09/28/23, followed by a subsequent visit on 10/26/23. During each visit, LPA Rios conducted physical plant tour and reviewed and obtained copies of relevant clients’ and facility records. Additionally, LPA Rios interviewed the administrator and five (5) out of six (6) clients.
(Continued on LIC9099-C)

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Eva Miller
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Evelin Rios
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/24/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/24/2024

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 3

Control Number 31-AS-20230921152950

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
N LA & CEN COA AC/SC, 21731 VENTURA BLVD., STE. 250
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364

FACILITY NAME: BOOTS BETTER LIVING	FACILITY NUMBER: 197608043
	VISIT DATE: 09/24/2024

NARRATIVE

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Client #1 (C1) and Client #3 (C3) were able to answer LPA’s questions. Client #6 (C6) was out in the community during the visits. Clients #2, #4, and #5 (C2, C4, and C5) either did not respond to LPA’s questions or did not provide information related to the allegations. LPA attempted to interview staff #1 (S1) by telephone on 09/28/23 and 10/26/23, but was unsuccessful. LPA interviewed staff #2 (S2) on 10/06/23 and they denied all the allegations.

Allegation: Staff does not safeguard resident's personal belongings. Regarding the allegation, it was reported staff takes Client #1’s (C1’s) belongings. When LPA interviewed C1 on 09/28/23 about the allegation, C1 claims they had seen a staff #1 (S1) wearing a new Mario Kart t-shirt they believed to have been theirs. According to C1 they had purchased the t-shirt recently and had not gotten a chance to wear it. C1 also stated, other belongings had also gone missing. LPA’s interview with the administrator on 09/28/23 revealed when C1 was initially admitted to the facility they did not bring personal items to document on the client’s personal property and valuables form (LIC621). In that same interview the administrator also stated C1 will leave piles of clean laundry and dirty laundry in their room, and it is possible the items are in the piles of laundry. LPA confirmed C1 does have personal belongings stacked on their bed, and dresser and clothing in their hamper during physical plant tours. On 09/24/24 administrator revealed a Mario Kart shirt was retrieved from the garage as C1 will often store items in there. Interview with C3 revealed they have never seen staff wearing their clothes or witnessed staff taking other clients items. LPA attempted to interview staff #1(S1) by telephone on 09/28/23 and 10/26/23, but was unsuccessful. Based on interviews, and observations there is insufficient evidence to prove that staff does not safeguard resident's personal belonging, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time.

Allegation: Staff withholds resident's personal belongings. Regarding the allegation, it was reported staff will hold on to Client #1's (C1's) belongings and not return them. When LPA interviewed C1 on 09/28/23 about the allegation, C1 claims their bible was taken away and snacks they bring into the facility are not provided to them when asked. LPA's interview with the administrator on 09/28/23 denied the allegation stating clients store snacks in the pantry cabinet by the dining table and had not received any complaints form clients. Interview with C3, on 09/28/23 revealed they do not have any issues with getting a snack as they are available whenever they want them.

(Continue to LIC9099-C) (Page 2 of 3)

SUPERVISORS NAME: Eva Miller
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Evelin Rios
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/24/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/24/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 31-AS-20230921152950

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
N LA & CEN COA AC/SC, 21731 VENTURA BLVD., STE. 250
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364

FACILITY NAME: BOOTS BETTER LIVING	FACILITY NUMBER: 197608043
	VISIT DATE: 09/24/2024

NARRATIVE

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C3 also stated never witnessing staff deny snacks to other clients. Interview with the administrator about C1's bible reveled that it had been misplaced by C1 along time ago and believes this to be old incident from years ago. Based on interviews, and observations there is insufficient evidence to prove that staff withholds resident's personal belongings, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time

Allegation: Staff leave residents locked out of facility. Regarding the allegation, it was reported clients are left locked out of the facility unsupervised. On 09/28/23 and on 10/06/23 LPA reviewed six (6) out six (6) clients' Individual Program Plans (IPPs) and their Physician's Reports. IPP and Physician's Reports revealed C1, C3, and C6 are able to leave the facility unsupervised and C2, C4, and C5 require constant supervision. Interview with the administrator on 09/28/23 denied the allegation, stating clients are at their day programs or working and someone is always at the facility to accept them. LPA's interview with administrator on 09/24/24 revealed C2, C4, and C5 are never left unsupervised and if C1, C3, or C6 go on an outing on their own their is communication between them an staff so that they can meet back at the facility. Interview with C3 on 09/28/23 revealed they will visit with their significant other and give the administrator a call when they arrive to the facility. Based on interviews, there is insufficient evidence to prove that staff leave residents locked out of facility, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time

Allegation: Staff does not allow resident to practice religious beliefs. Regarding the allegation, it was reported that client#1(C1) cannot pray in the facility. LPA's interview C3 on 09/28/23 denied the allegation and states they consider themselves a spiritual person and have not witness staff deny other clients the ability to practice their own religion. LPAs interview with C1 on 09/28/23 revealed their concern was retrieving their bible. LPA's interviews with administrator denies the allegation. Based on interviews, there is insufficient evidence to prove that staff does not allow resident to practice religious beliefs, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time

No deficiencies cited, exit interview conducted, copy of report provided.

(Page 3 of 3)

SUPERVISORS NAME: Eva Miller
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Evelin Rios
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/24/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/24/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 3 of 3