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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197801162
Report Date: 07/18/2024
Date Signed: 07/18/2024 01:30:00 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
GREATER LA AC/SC, 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
07/11/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Cynthia D Chan
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 28-AS-20240711161309
FACILITY NAME:INDEPENDENT OPTIONS, INC./ADVANCED OPTIONS, S.G.FACILITY NUMBER:
197801162
ADMINISTRATOR:IRMA SWENSONFACILITY TYPE:
775
ADDRESS:603 W. COVINA BLVD.TELEPHONE:
(909) 394-3300
CITY:SAN DIMASSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91773
CAPACITY:30CENSUS: 26DATE:
07/18/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:15 AM
MET WITH:Irma Swenson, program directorTIME COMPLETED:
01:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Day program is out of ratio.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Cynthia Chan conducted a complaint investigation regarding the allegation of Day program is out of ratio. LPA arrived unannounced and met with the director, Irma Swenson. The purpose of the visit was explained.

LPA toured the facility and obtained copies of the attendance records. LPA interviewed the program director and 7 Staff. LPA was able to interview one client, however, the others did not appear to have the cognitive ability to answer questions.

The investigation revealed the following:
Allegation – Day program is out of ratio. It is alleged that the staff to client ratio is 1 to 4 at times and is supposed to be 1 staff to 3 clients due to being regional center clients. The program director indicated the day program staff to client ratio is 1 to 3. She acknowledged that there were some days in May where the staff to client ratio was over.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Tony Vasallo
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Cynthia D Chan
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2024
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 28-AS-20240711161309
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
GREATER LA AC/SC, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. ST 500
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
FACILITY NAME: INDEPENDENT OPTIONS, INC./ADVANCED OPTIONS, S.G.
FACILITY NUMBER: 197801162
VISIT DATE: 07/18/2024
NARRATIVE
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The director stated some staff were out on leave or staff called out sick last minute. Therefore, she had to step in and admitted that she along with another staff were supervising 4 clients on some days. Per the director, there had not been any issues since then and is able to have sufficient coverage and stay within staffing ratio. It was noted that regional center was overseeing this concern and provided suggestion to adhere to the ratio.

LPA interviewed additional 7 staff regarding the staffing ratio. Staff acknowledged there were staffing issues sometime in May and clients were being sent home due to the shortage. 2 of the staff observed the day program being out of ratio where some staff were given 4 clients to supervise. According to the attendance records, the program experienced staffing shortage for some days in May. There were more clients in attendance and not enough staff.

Based on interviews conducted and record review, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22, Division 6 and Chapter 3), are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.



An exit interview was conducted. The Plan of Correction was reviewed and developed with the director. A copy of this report and appeal rights were provided.
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Tony Vasallo
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Cynthia D Chan
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 28-AS-20240711161309
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
GREATER LA AC/SC, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. ST 500
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: INDEPENDENT OPTIONS, INC./ADVANCED OPTIONS, S.G.
FACILITY NUMBER: 197801162
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 07/18/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
07/25/2024
Section Cited
CCR
82065.5(a)(1)
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82065.5 Staff-Client Ratio (a) ..minimum staffing requirements shall be met: (1) For Regional Center clients, staffing shall be maintained as specified....
This requirement is not met as evidenced by:

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The licensee shall submit a plan to ensure the staff-client ratio of 1 to 3 is met at all times. Plan will be submitted to LPA by 7/25/24.
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Based on interview and record review, the day program did not follow their staff to client ratio requirement which poses a potential health and safety risk to clients in care.
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Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Tony Vasallo
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Cynthia D Chan
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3