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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198011629
Report Date: 08/07/2023
Date Signed: 08/07/2023 10:57:29 AM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/11/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Veronica Martinez-Garza
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20230711164842
FACILITY NAME:AZUSA DISCOVERY CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
198011629
ADMINISTRATOR:LARA, BELENFACILITY TYPE:
840
ADDRESS:155 W. ARROW HIGHWAYTELEPHONE:
(626) 334-1806
CITY:AZUSASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91702
CAPACITY:36CENSUS: 7DATE:
08/07/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:35 AM
MET WITH:Director Belen LaraTIME COMPLETED:
11:15 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff did not prevent day care child from being threatened by another child in care
Staff did not notify day care child's authorized representative of incident in a timely manner
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 08/07/2023 at 09:35 a.m., Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Veronica Martinez Garza conducted an unannounced complaint investigation to deliver findings to the above allegations. A COVID risk assessment was conducted upon entry. LPA met with Director, Belen Lara who guided LPA on a tour of the facility. There was a total of 07 children present with 01 staff.

According to the Reporting Party (RP), “Staff did not prevent day care child from being threatened by another child in care” and “Staff did not notify day care child's authorized representative of incident in a timely manner.”

During the course of the investigation, LPA interviewed the Staff 1 (S1 thru 4) and Child 1 (C1), and RP. LPA also obtained a copy the facility roster and termination letter for C2.

Page 1 of 3
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Veronica Martinez-Garza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2023
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 5
Control Number 33-CC-20230711164842
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
FACILITY NAME: AZUSA DISCOVERY CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 198011629
VISIT DATE: 08/07/2023
NARRATIVE
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Allegation regarding- staff did not prevent day care child from being threatened by another child in care. LPA interviewed S1 and S2, who disclosed that C2 has behavioral issues. Per S1 and S2, facility has been working with C2 and C2s parents. S1 stated that there have been parent meetings, redirection, and have offered 1 on 1. C2 did not have any improvements. On 07/11/23, the facility had a field trip where C1 and C2 joined and were in the same group. During the field trip, S1 heard C2 make a threat to C1. According to S1, S1 was close enough to hear C2 threatening C1. S1 asked C1 what C2 had said and C1 informed S1 that C2 made a verbal threat. S1 asked C2 if a threat was made towards C1 to which C2 denied making any threats. According to S2, after the field trip there was a meeting held between S1, S2, C1, and C2. S1 and S2 discussed what happened in the field trip and reinforced that making threats to others is not appropriate. S2 asked C2 if a threat was made to C1 and C2 stated “yes, I did say that.” According to S1, C2 has been known to bully other day care children and has made threats of “beating them up” and “tortures kids and the staff.” LPA interviewed C1, who corroborated that C2 made a threat during the field trip. Per S1, C2’s services were terminated on 07/12/23.

Allegation regarding - staff did not notify day care child's authorized representative of incident in a timely manner. According to S2, parents are notified of any incidents that may have occurred at the facility on a case by case. Per S2, parents receive incident reports if there are any head injuries, children have been bitten, or scratched. Per S1, S1 wanted to meet with parents of C1 and C2 the following day (07/12/23) to discuss what transpired during the field trip that took place on 07/11/23. According to S1, RP was not notified of the threat made to C1 during pick up, however, P2 was notified during pick up of C2’s threat to C1. C1 disclosed to RP that C2 made a threat during the field trip. Per S1, RP was later called to “explain the situation.” S1 and S2, confirmed that a meeting was held between S1 and RP on 07/12/23. According to RP, “facility was able to resolve this incident” and is “satisfied with the outcome.” LPA advised that staff report serious threats to parents upon pick up. The incident was self-reported to the department.

Based on LPA observations and interviews conducted, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations is found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, the following deficiency are being cited (see attached 9099D).


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SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Veronica Martinez-Garza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 33-CC-20230711164842
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
FACILITY NAME: AZUSA DISCOVERY CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 198011629
VISIT DATE: 08/07/2023
NARRATIVE
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Upon receipt, the Licensee shall post the “D” page of the Licensing report. This page shall be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a $100 civil penalty. A copy of this report shall be provided to the parents/guardians of the children currently enrolled by the next business day or immediately upon return. A copy of this report shall also be provided to the parents/guardians of any children newly enrolled at the facility for the next 12 months. The LIC 9224 Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Reports must be maintained in each child's file immediately upon receipt from the parent. LPA provided Licensee with a blank copy of the LIC 9224 Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report.

Exit interview was conducted with Director, Belen Lara, who was provided with a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these forms.



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SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Veronica Martinez-Garza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 33-CC-20230711164842
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: AZUSA DISCOVERY CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 198011629
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 08/07/2023
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
08/11/2023
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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101223 Personal Rights(3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat,......... to physical functioning.
This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Director, will have all staff watch the video on the CCLD web site regarding Personal Rights, write a description of what they viewed in the video, what their understanding of Personal Rights is, how they may have violated children’s Personal Rights, and how they will avoid recurrence in the future.

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Facility did not prevent C1 from being threatened by C2
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Written declarations, a copy of staff roster, meeting agenda will be submitted to LPA by POC due date.
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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.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Veronica Martinez-Garza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 33-CC-20230711164842
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: AZUSA DISCOVERY CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 198011629
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 08/07/2023
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
08/11/2023
Section Cited
CCR
101212(f)
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101212 Reporting Requirements
(f) The items specified in (d)(1)(A) through (H) above shall also be reported to the child's authorized representative

This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Per Director, parent of C1 was later notified of the incident that had taken place during a field trip on 07/11/23. Director
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Facility did not notify parent of C1 that a threat was made during a field trip on 07/11/23 during pick up.
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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.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Veronica Martinez-Garza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5