198320378-5-13-2026-11-AS-PMAA-DUFUMA-20260526154202

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198320378
Report Date: 05/13/2026
Date Signed: 05/13/2026 01:30:49 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO ASC, 400 CONTINENTAL BLVD, STE 340
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
04/29/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Bernadette Allen

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 11-AS-20260429090325

FACILITY NAME:	SAVANT OF SANTA MONICA		FACILITY NUMBER:	198320378
ADMINISTRATOR:	JOE SALDANA		FACILITY TYPE:	740
ADDRESS:	1447 17TH STREET		TELEPHONE:	(310) 829-5904
CITY:	SANTA MONICA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90404
CAPACITY:	174	CENSUS: 137	DATE:	05/13/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	10:51 AM
MET WITH:	Joe Saldana- Administrator		TIME COMPLETED:	01:45 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff are verbally abusing resident
Staff are psychologically abusing resident
Staff are not feeding resident

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 05/13/2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Bernadette Allen conducted an unannounced visit to deliver findings for the alleged allegations. LPA identified herself and met with Executive Director Joe Saldana who was informed of the purpose of the visit.

The investigation consisted of:

On 5/6/2026, At 10:00 AM, LPA Allen requested the following documents: Staff roster dated 5/5/2026 and Resident roster. LPA also conducted a tour of the kitchen. There was a menu available for review, as well as an alternate menu posted on the door outside of the dining area. LPA observed that the menu coincided with the lunch being prepared for the day. During the kitchen tour, LPA observed that there was a 5 day supply of perishables and a 7 day supply of non perishables.

Continued

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Stephanie Cifuentes
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Bernadette Allen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/13/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/13/2026

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 11-AS-20260429090325

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO ASC, 400 CONTINENTAL BLVD, STE 340
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: SAVANT OF SANTA MONICA	FACILITY NUMBER: 198320378
	VISIT DATE: 05/13/2026

NARRATIVE

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On 5/6/2026 At 12:15 PM, The department conducted interviews with thirteen (13) staff members and the department was successful in conducting interviews with residents 1–10 (R1–R10) and attempted interviews with residents 11–14 (R11–R14), who were not willing to have a conversation, and R15 who was interviewed at the end of the day on 5/6/2026.

The investigation revealed the following:

Allegation #1: Staff are verbally abusing resident

The department conducted interviews with Staff Members 1-13 (S1-S13) and 13 out of 13 staff members stated that they have not experienced or overheard rumors of staff verbally abusing residents in care.

The department was successful in conducting interviews with residents 1–10 (R1–R10) who stated the staff members have not been verbally abusing them. The department attempted interview residents 11–14 (R11–R14), but they were not willing to be interviewed. R15, who was available at the end of the visit was interviewed and they stated they have been verbally abused by the staff when asked who two (2) staff members names were given and it was stated that when their issues or concerns are told to them they try and make them think the problem is just in their head and not real. When asked to provide additional examples or details this information was not provided.

During the tour of the facility, the LPA did not observe or hear any residents being psychologically or verbally abused by any staff member.

Continued

SUPERVISORS NAME: Stephanie Cifuentes
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Bernadette Allen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/13/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/13/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 11-AS-20260429090325

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO ASC, 400 CONTINENTAL BLVD, STE 340
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: SAVANT OF SANTA MONICA	FACILITY NUMBER: 198320378
	VISIT DATE: 05/13/2026

NARRATIVE

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Allegation #2: Staff are psychologically abusing resident

The department conducted interviews with Staff Members 1-13 (S1-S13) and 13 out of 13 staff members stated that they have not experienced or overheard rumors of staff psychologically abusing residents in care.

The Department was successful in conducting interviews with Residents 1-10 (R1–R10) and 10 out of 10 residents interviewed stated that staff members have not been psychologically abusing them. The Department attempted to interview Residents 11-14 (R11–R14); however, they were not willing to be interviewed

On 5/6/2026, R15, who was available at the end of the visit was interviewed and they stated they have been psychologically abused by staff members. When asked who was allegedly psychologically abusing them, R15 provided the names of two (2) staff members and stated that when issues or concerns are reported to these staff, they respond by making R15 feel that the problem is “just in their head” and not real. When asked to provide additional examples or further details, no additional information was provided.

During the tour of the facility, the LPA did not observe or hear any residents being psychologically or verbally abused by any staff member.

Allegation #3: Staff are not feeding resident

The department conducted interviews with Staff Members 1-13 (S1-S13) and 13 out of 13 staff members stated that staff are ensuring that the residents in care are fed daily at least 3 meals a day and if residents are not able to come to the dining room tray service is provided to them by taking meals to their rooms.

Continued

SUPERVISORS NAME: Stephanie Cifuentes
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Bernadette Allen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/13/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/13/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 11-AS-20260429090325

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO ASC, 400 CONTINENTAL BLVD, STE 340
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: SAVANT OF SANTA MONICA	FACILITY NUMBER: 198320378
	VISIT DATE: 05/13/2026

NARRATIVE

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The Department was successful in conducting interviews with Residents 1-10 (R1–R10) and 10 out of 10 residents interviewed stated that staff members are making sure they are fed daily when asked how often all 10 residents said 3 meals plus snacks. Residents also stated alternative options are available and additional portions can be requested and when requested or required food is taken to their rooms. The Department attempted to interview Residents 11-14 (R11–R14); however, they were not willing to be interviewed.

On 5/6/2026, R15, who was available at the end of the visit was interviewed R15 stated that they have been fed but there have been times when they ask for food to be brought to them and other residents, and staff will have them waiting or don’t come bring food at all saying that they are just being encouraged to move for physical exercise which they can’t do all the time because of their health. When asked does this occurs regularly R15 said no. When asked for occurrences dates and individuals involved details were not provided. When asked if food is eventually provided R15 said yes.

During the tour of the facility there was a menu available for review, as well as an alternative menu posted on the door outside of the dining area. LPA observed that the menu coincided with the lunch being prepared for the day. During the kitchen tour, LPA observed that there was a 5-day supply of perishables and a 7-day supply of non-perishables.

Based on interviews, file review and observation during the investigation, the above allegations are found to be Unsubstantiated; meaning that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur.

An exit interview was conducted where this report was discussed and provided to Joe Saldana- Administrator at the conclusion of the visit with appeal rights.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Stephanie Cifuentes
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Bernadette Allen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/13/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/13/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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