197750149-11-12-2024-12-CC-MRAN-DB5PDE-20241118101323

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197750149
Report Date: 11/12/2024
Date Signed: 11/12/2024 11:09:30 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CHILD CARE, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
08/26/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Andrea Pittman

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 12-CC-20240826093543

FACILITY NAME:	ARK ACADEMY		FACILITY NUMBER:	197750149
ADMINISTRATOR:	VONDA PERRY		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	1146 COMMERCE CENTER DRIVE		TELEPHONE:	(661) 504-4034
CITY:	LANCASTER	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	93534
CAPACITY:	30	CENSUS: 13	DATE:	11/12/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:46 AM
MET WITH:	Director Vonda Perry		TIME COMPLETED:	11:30 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Allegation 1: Staff did not provide adequate supervision resulting in day care child hitting another child in care
Allegation 3: Staff wrongfully terminated day care child
Allegation 4: Staff did not notify responsible party of incidents

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 11/12/2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Andrea Pittman conducted an unannounced complaint visit to deliver the findings at the facility and was met by the Facility Representative who permitted entry to the facility. LPA toured the facility according to the facility sketch. Upon arrival, LPA observed 13 children with 5 staff members providing care and supervision.

LPA has conducted an investigation into the allegations including observations, interviews, and record reviews. LPA interviewed the children, parents of the program, and any other relevant parties. As part of the investigation, LPA obtained the facility roster, children’s rosters, and other documents relevant to the investigation. The investigation revealed the following evidence:

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Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Mariela Ramon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Andrea Pittman
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 11/12/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/12/2024

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 12-CC-20240826093543

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CHILD CARE, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551

FACILITY NAME: ARK ACADEMY	FACILITY NUMBER: 197750149
	VISIT DATE: 11/12/2024

NARRATIVE

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Allegation 1: the first allegation stated that Staff did not provide adequate supervision resulting in day care child hitting another child in care. LPA conducted interviews with relevant parties and discovered that there was an incident that involved Child 1 and Child 4. During the investigation, it was revealed that Child 1 and Child 4 had contact during play. The contact did not result in any injuries to either children involved. Staff 3 was present and addressed the contact between Child 1 and Child 4 when it happened. After reviewing all the relevant information obtained, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to support the allegation.

Allegation 3: the third allegation stated that Staff wrongfully terminated day care child. During the investigation, it was revealed that there was an incident that involved Child 1 and their Authorized Representative. There was a conversation between Staff 3 and the Authorized Representative that resulted in the expulsion of Child 1. There was video footage and witnesses to the incident. LPA requested the information but was unable to receive all information pertinent to the investigation. After reviewing the relevant information obtained, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to support the allegation.

Allegation 4: the fourth allegation stated Staff did not notify responsible party of incidents. During the investigation, it was revealed that an incident occurred that involved Child 1 and Child 4. The incident involved contact between Child 1 and Child 4. The contact did not result in injury to either Child 1 or Child 4 and neither child received any medical treatment; as a result, a mandatory reporting did not need to be made to Licensing or to the Authorized Representative of the child in care as it did not meet reporting requirements. After reviewing all the relevant information obtained, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to support the allegation.

After observations, record reviews, and interviews, it was determined that there was insufficient evidence that the following occurred: staff did not provide adequate supervision that resulted in a child hitting another child; that staff wrongfully terminated a daycare child; and that staff did not notify the responsible party of the incidents. The allegations could not be corroborated with the evidence found during the investigation. Therefore, the allegations have been found unsubstantiated. Although, the allegations may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the facility operated in violation of policy in this circumstance.

An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was provided to Director Vonda Perry along with the Notice of Site Visit and Appeal Rights.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Mariela Ramon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Andrea Pittman
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 11/12/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/12/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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