198600539-1-3-2025-28-AS-RORN-DCPMMF-20250107084349

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198600539
Report Date: 01/02/2025
Date Signed: 01/03/2025 08:14:58 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK ASC, 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
12/27/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Sanjay Vaid

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 28-AS-20241227121758

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: 150	DATE:	01/02/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	10:30 AM
MET WITH:	Joyce Garcia, Administrator		TIME COMPLETED:	02:30 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff are not providing adequate food service to residents.
Staff are not providing a comfortable environment for resident.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Sanjay Vaid conducted an initial unannounced complaint visit to investigate the allegations listed above. LPA met with Andrew De Vera, Assistant Administrator for the facility, and explained the purpose of the visit. Administrator Joyce Garcia arrived shortly after and assisted with the complaint investigation.

The investigation consisted of the following: LPA requested, obtained and reviewed copies of the staff and client roster,C1’s face sheet, physicians report, psychiatric evaluation, needs and services. LPA toured the facility, and interviewed Clients #1-15 (C1- C15) and Staff #1-6 (S1-S6). LPA requested, obtained and reviewed Food prep training and certifications of the cooking/dining room staff.

In regard to the allegation that "Staff are not providing adequate food service to residents," 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. Con't 9099C....

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Fernando Fierros
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Sanjay Vaid
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/02/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/02/2025

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-20241227121758

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK ASC, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. ST 500
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: PICO RIVERA GARDENS	FACILITY NUMBER: 198600539
	VISIT DATE: 01/02/2025

NARRATIVE

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During interviews with the clients, thirteen (13) out of fifteen (15) 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 observe 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.

In regard to the allegation that a "Staff are not providing a comfortable environment for resident” it is alleged that the facility's intercom system has a volume that is too high for some clients and that some staff intentionally yell over the intercom which causes discomfort to clients. During interviews with the clients, fourteen (14) out of fifteen (15) interviewed did not corroborate the allegation. Clients interviewed stated that there are some areas of the facility in which the intercom's volume is louder than others, however overall, the intercom speaker system is at an appropriate volume. During interviews with the staff, (5) out of five (5) denied the allegation. One of the staff interviewed stated that they sometimes must raise their voice when speaking into the microphone to ensure that clients can hear the announcements, however they never intentionally yell into the intercom or keep the volume high. Another staff member interviewed stated that they attempt to keep the volume as low as possible to avoid irritating the clients, however they need to also maintain an appropriate voice level and volume so that all clients can understand what is said through the intercom. LPA heard staff speaking through the intercom during the visit it was at an appropriate volume level. LPA observed C1 facial expressions when message was called over intercom, C1 looked normal and did not complain of pain in ear. Administrator has offered C1 be seen by ENT(ear, nose ,throat specialist) to determine ear pain. C1 has refused.

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: Fernando Fierros
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Sanjay Vaid
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/02/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/02/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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