198600539-4-24-2025-28-AS-RORN-DGHQAQ-20250509120018

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198600539
Report Date: 04/24/2025
Date Signed: 04/24/2025 10:55:06 AM

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
01/07/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Mary G Flores

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 28-AS-20250107114025

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: 164	DATE:	04/24/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:00 AM
MET WITH:	Julia Elias - Medication Supervisor		TIME COMPLETED:	11:05 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Staff did not prevent clients from selling drugs
Staff did not prevent client from threatening another client
Staff do not treat clients with dignity and respect
Staff do not seek medical attention for clients in care

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Mary Flores conducted an unannounced subsequent complaint investigation visit regarding the above allegations. LPA met with Julia Elias with and explained the reason for the visit.

The investigation consisted of the following: On 1/9/25 LPA Gutierrez conducted an initial complaint investigation visit and a health and safety check tour of the facility. On 1/7/25 Investigation Bureau Department(IB) investigator Sonia Torre was assigned investigation of the first allegation. On 1/27/25 LPA conducted interviews with 6 clients and 6 staff over the phone. On 2/6/25 LPA Flores conducted additional interviews with 4 clients during a complaint investigation visit. On 4/24/25 LPA Flores delivered findings for the allegations above.

The investigation revealed the following: Regarding allegation: Staff did not prevent clients from selling drugs. It is alleged clients are selling drugs at the facility. (CONTINUED ON LIC 9099C)

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Tony Vasallo
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Mary G Flores
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/24/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/24/2025

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-20250107114025

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: 04/24/2025

NARRATIVE

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

Interviews conducted by IB investigator with 8 clients revealed, 4 clients believed other clients were selling or distributing drugs at the facility. However, they were not able to provide details regarding their suspicions. Three clients acknowledge to have a history of substance abuse. However, they ensure to not have distribute or sold any drugs at the facility. Interviews conducted with 7 staff revealed clients’ room checks have been done when a suspicion of drug consumption has come about. However, staff have not observed clients distributing or selling drugs at the facility. Per staff, current administrator has strongly implemented eviction procedures for those observed and/or found consuming drugs while at the facility. Documents reviewed reveal, a call log was requested from Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department for call responds between October 2024 to February 2025. A total of 49 call responds were conducted at the facility. However, none of the calls were drug related. Incident report dated: 9/3/24 noted that it was reported to staff that a client was selling drugs at the facility. A room search was conducted, drugs were found. Staff attempted to confiscate the drugs. Client refused to turn in the drugs and choose to move out of the facility the same day.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation(s) did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Regarding allegation: Staff did not prevent client from threatening another client. It is alleged a client verbally threaten a client and staff didn’t do anything about it. Interviews conducted with clients revealed 6 out of 10 clients stated staff intervene when there is conflict between the clients, and they are ignored. 3 out of 10 clients stated that staff do not intervene or when they reported to staff, they have not handled the situation. 1 out of 10 clients did not provide an answer to the question. Interviews conducted with staff revealed, upon a staff witnessing any instances in which clients are arguing with each other and/or verbal threats have been heard between clients, staff intervene. Staff proceed to separate the clients and speak to them individually to mitigate the situation between the clients. Staff have not been made aware of threats made to clients. Documents reviewed revealed, there are no incident reports that note clients have acted upon verbal threats. Facility notes do not reveal reports from clients stating feeling unsafe due to other clients threatening them. Although, threats may have had been made to a client there is no evidence the threats happened. Therefore, the allegation is unsubstantiated.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation(s) did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

(CONTINUED ON LIC 9099C)

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Tony Vasallo
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Mary G Flores
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/24/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/24/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 28-AS-20250107114025

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: 04/24/2025

NARRATIVE

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

Regarding allegation: Staff do not treat clients with dignity and respect. It is alleged staff are rude to the clients when providing care. Interviews conducted with clients revealed 6 out of 10 clients stated staff are not rude, staff always treat the clients with respect. 3 out of 10 clients stated staff are either rude or have an attitude when providing care or assistance. 1 out of 10 clients did not provide an answer to the question. Interviews conducted with staff revealed clients are always treated with dignity and respect. Staff have not been observed yelling, ignoring, or mistreating the clients in care. While assisting with medical care, staff ensures to follow the clients wishes.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation(s) did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Regarding allegation: staff do not seek medical attention for clients in care. It is alleged staff did not call emergency service for a client that fell. Interviews conducted with clients revealed 5 out of 10 clients stated staff seek for medical attention when necessary. 4 out of 10 clients either refused or were unable to provide an answer regarding the allegation as they have not needed medical care. 1 out of 10 clients stated staff do not seek medical attention for clients when needed. Interviews with staff revealed staff provide medical assistance as needed. Per staff, when a medical emergency occurs, if the client is laying on the floor emergency services are called, regardless of injuries. Unless the client refuses to obtain medical care. If the need is non-emergency the client is given the option to obtain transportation to a medical facility instead of calling emergency services. Transportation is arranged and the client is send out to obtain medical services. Based on document review there were no records to note the alleged incident. Therefore, the allegation is unsubstantiated.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation(s) did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Exit interview was conducted with Joyce Garcia Administrator and a copy of this report was provided.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Tony Vasallo
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Mary G Flores
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/24/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/24/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 3 of 3