197801162-4-30-2024-28-AS-FFIS-D58UDK-20240513152939

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197801162
Report Date: 04/30/2024
Date Signed: 04/30/2024 11:41:29 AM

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
04/29/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Valeria Maldonado

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 28-AS-20240429090054

FACILITY NAME:	INDEPENDENT OPTIONS, INC./ADVANCED OPTIONS, S.G.		FACILITY NUMBER:	197801162
ADMINISTRATOR:	IRMA SWENSON		FACILITY TYPE:	775
ADDRESS:	603 W. COVINA BLVD.		TELEPHONE:	(909) 394-3300
CITY:	SAN DIMAS	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91773
CAPACITY:	30	CENSUS: 30	DATE:	04/30/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:00 AM
MET WITH:	Theresa Acevedo- Director of Staff Development		TIME COMPLETED:	12:00 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff handles client in a rough manner.
Staff forces client to sit down.
Staff does not treat client with dignity and respect.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Prorgam Analyst (LPA) V. Maldonado made an unannounced initial complaint visit to the facility. The purpose for the visit was to investigate the above-mentioned allegations. LPA Maldonado met with Director of Staff Development, Theresa Acevedo, and explained the purpose for the visit.

During today's visit, LPA Maldonado obtained a copy of the client and staff roster, and conducted a tour of the physical plant to observe clients in care. LPA also obtained Personnel Record and Training Records for Staff#1 (S1), and Facesheet, Physician's Report, and current Individual Program Plan (IPP) for Client#1 (C1).

The investigation revealed the following:

Regarding allegartion: Staff handles client in a rough manner.
It is alleged that S1 forces C1 to sit down by pushing C1 down by C1's shoulders. Per interviews conducted with staff, (5) of (5) staff denied the allegation.
(Report continued on LIC9099-C...)

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Fernando Fierros
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Valeria Maldonado
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/30/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/30/2024

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 28-AS-20240429090054

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: INDEPENDENT OPTIONS, INC./ADVANCED OPTIONS, S.G.	FACILITY NUMBER: 197801162
	VISIT DATE: 04/30/2024

NARRATIVE

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Staff stated they have been trained to de-escalate situations and redirect clients in an appropriate manner as needed. They do not force clients to do things they do not want to. Per interview with C1, C1 denied S1 or other staff forcing C1 to sit down or do things C1 does not want to do. (2) of (3) clients interviewed could not corroborate the allegation. Therefore, this allegation is Unsubstantiated.

Regarding allegation: Staff forces client to sit down.
It is alleged that C1 has unsteady gait and S1 forces C1 to sit down by pushing C1 down by C1's shoulders. Per staff interviews, (5) of (5) staff denied the allegation. Staff stated they do not force clients to do anything they do not want to. They are trained to de-escalate situations and would not put clients in danger. Per interview with C1, C1 denies S1 forcing C1 to do anything C1 does not want to. C1 stated S1 is "cool" and has never hurt C1. C1 stated to like S1. Per staff interviews, (5) of (5) staff denied the allegation. Staff stated that S1 has a good relationship with all clients, as do the rest of the staff with the clients. Per S1's Physician's Report dated 6/15/23, C1 is ambulatory and does not require assistance with ambulating. There is no indication of C1 having unsteady gait. Per client interviews, (2) of (3) clients could not corroborate the allegation. Therefore, this allegation is Unsubstantiated.

Regarding allegation: Staff does not treat client with dignity and respect
It is alleged that S1 forces C1 to move from group to group to make C1 upset. Per staff interviews, (5) of (5) staff denied the allegation. Staff stated that all clients rotate every hour from one group to the next, as each group conducts different activities. They have not witnessed one particular client being moved purposely without reason. Per interview with C1, C1 denied S1 moving C1 to make C1 upset. C1 stated S1 is "cool", does not hurt C1, and is not mean to C1. (2) of (3) clients interviewed could not corroborate the allegation. Therefore, this allegation is Unsubstantiated.

Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are Unsubstantiated.

Per California Code of Regulations, Title 22, no deficiencies were observed of cited during today's visit.

An exit interview was conducted and copy of this report was provided.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Fernando Fierros
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Valeria Maldonado
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/30/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/30/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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