198600539-12-10-2024-28-AS-DSIS-DC9T7W-20241224132923

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198600539
Report Date: 12/10/2024
Date Signed: 12/10/2024 01:20:16 PM

Unsubstantiated

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
12/06/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Erik Zaragoza

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 28-AS-20241206130449

FACILITY NAME:	PICO RIVERA GARDENS		FACILITY NUMBER:	198600539
ADMINISTRATOR:	JOYCE GARCIA		FACILITY TYPE:	735
ADDRESS:	6525 ROSEMEAD BLVD.		TELEPHONE:	(562) 949-8489
CITY:	PICO RIVERA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90660
CAPACITY:	185	CENSUS: 152	DATE:	12/10/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:47 AM
MET WITH:	Julia Elias - Med Tech Supervisor		TIME COMPLETED:	01:37 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Client is threating another client due to lack of supervision
Staff are not practicing food service sanitation to prevent contamination of food
Staff are not treating clients with dignity and respect

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Erik Zaragoza conducted an initial unnanounced complaint visit to investigate the allegations listed above. LPA met with Julia Elias, Medcation Technician Supervisor, and explained the purpose of the visit. Administrator Joyce Garcia arrived shortly thereafter.

The investigation consisted of the following: LPA obtained copies of the staff and client roster, toured the facility including the kitchen during food preparation for lunch, and also interviewed Clients #1 - 14 (C1 - C14) and Staff #1 - 5 (S1 - S5).

The investigation revealed the following: In regards to the allegation that a "Client is threatening another client due to lack of supervision," it is alleged that C1's rooommate had not been letting them use the bathroom and had been threatening C1 at nighttime, prompting C1 to call the police because staff were inadequately supervising the clients.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: David Sicairos
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Erik Zaragoza
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 12/10/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/10/2024

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-20241206130449

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: PICO RIVERA GARDENS	FACILITY NUMBER: 198600539
	VISIT DATE: 12/10/2024

NARRATIVE

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During interviews with the clients, eleven (11) out of fourteen (14) interviewed did not corroborate the allegation. One of the clients interviewed stated that there are times where clients fight amongst each other however staff are generally on top of things when threats and fights arise. Another client interviewed stated that they have never witnessed clients threatening one another in the facility. During interviews with the staff, five (5) out of five (5) interviewed did not corroborate the allegation. One of the staff interviewed stated that this incident occurred about 2 years ago and did not occur recently, because C1 and their current roommate have been getting along. Another staff interviewed stated that no sheriff or officer had come to the facility recently in response to threats being made, and that all issues between C1 and their roommate had been sorted out.

In regards to the allegation that "Staff are not practicing food service sanitation to prevent contamination of food," it is alleged that the kitchen staff are serving food to clients that has been touched and contaminated, and that there have been foreign substances including hairs found in the meals as well. During interviews with the clients, twelve (12) out of fourteen (14) interviewed did not corroborate the allegation. One of the clients interviewed stated that the food served at the facility has been fine and that they've never seen contaminants in their meals. Other clients similarly claimed that they did not observed hair or other foreign substances in their food. During interviews with the staff, five (5) out of five (5) did not corroborate the allegation. One of the staff interviewed stated that they always wear hair nets, wash their hands, and wear gloves when handling and preparing food from the clients to prevent contamination. Another staff member stated that no concerns related to contaminated food had been brought to their attention recently and that they have never seen any of the meals in the facility get contaminated with hairs. During the physical tour of the kitchen during meal preparation for lunch, LPA observed kitchen staff preparing food with hairnets and gloves as well, and the food being prepared had no signs of contamination.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: David Sicairos
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Erik Zaragoza
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 12/10/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/10/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 28-AS-20241206130449

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: PICO RIVERA GARDENS	FACILITY NUMBER: 198600539
	VISIT DATE: 12/10/2024

NARRATIVE

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In regards to the allegation that "Staff are not treating clients with dignity and respect," it is alleged that S1 had gotten upset with C1 while C1 was bringing up concerns they had with S1, and that S2 had subsequently yelled at C1 and waved their hand in their face. During interviews with the clients twelve (12) out of fourteen (14) did not corroborate the allegation. One of the clients interviewed stated that they believe S1 and S2 treat them and all other clients in the facility with dignity and respect. Another client interviewed stated that both S1 and S2 are kind people and that they had never had any conflicts with them or any of the other staff in the facility. During interviews with the staff, five (5) out of five (5) did not corroborate the allegation. One of the staff interviewed stated S1 and S2 had never yelled at C1 during this incident, and they were telling C1 that they will address C1's concerns when they became upset. Another staff interviewed stated that during the incident staff had to tell C1 that they were busy and would speak with them about the concerns they had later, however they had never yelled at C1 or treated them disrespectfully.

Based on statements and interviews conducted with staff, clients, review of client files and facility file records, there was not enough supportive evidence to concur with the reported allegations. 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.

Exit interview held, and a copy of this report was provided.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: David Sicairos
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Erik Zaragoza
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 12/10/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/10/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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