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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198600539
Report Date: 05/15/2025
Date Signed: 05/15/2025 11:44:01 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
05/06/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Erik Zaragoza
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 28-AS-20250506102656
FACILITY NAME:PICO RIVERA GARDENSFACILITY NUMBER:
198600539
ADMINISTRATOR:JOYCE GARCIAFACILITY TYPE:
735
ADDRESS:6525 ROSEMEAD BLVD.TELEPHONE:
(562) 949-8489
CITY:PICO RIVERASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90660
CAPACITY:185CENSUS: 165DATE:
05/15/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:07 AM
MET WITH:Julia Elias - Med Tech Supervisor TIME COMPLETED:
11:58 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility failed to address the smell of marijuana
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Erik Zaragoza conducted an initial unannounced complaint visit to investigate the allegation listed above. LPA met with Julia Elias, Med Tech Supervisor for the facility, and explained the purpose of the visit. Administrator Joyce Garcia arrived shortly thereafter.

The investigation consisted of the following: LPA Erik Zaragoza obtained the staff and resident rosters, house rules, conducted a tour of the facility including the back patio area, central patio area, hallways, and also interviewed Staff #1 - 4 (S1 - S4) and also Clients #1 - 12 (C1 - C12).

The investigation revealed the following: In regards to the allegation "Facility failed to addres the smell of marijuana," it is alleged that the facility had a strong odor of marijuana near the front office of the facility, and that staff are not doing enough to prevent residents from smoking on the premises.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: David Sicairos
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Erik Zaragoza
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/15/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/15/2025
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 2
Control Number 28-AS-20250506102656
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: 05/15/2025
NARRATIVE
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During interviews with the clients, ten (10) out of twelve (12) did not corroborate the allegation. One of the clients interviewed stated that they do not smell the odor of marijuana in the facility and it is not an issue. Another client interviewed that there are times when the odor of marijuana is present within the facility, however they have not witnessed any clients smoking in the facility and believes staff are doing enough to prevent the odor of marijuana in the facility. During interviews with staff, none of them corroborated the allegation. One of the staff interviewed stated that per the house rules marijuana smoking is not allowed in the facility, only cigarettes are allowed in the patio area, and that they prevent clients from smoking in the facility. Another staff member interviewed stated that if they receive a report of marijuana odor in the facility they will conduct a room check to determine if any clients are smoking in the facility, however they have not found clients smoking marijuana recently. During a tour of the facility including the main entrance, hallways, and patio areas, LPA did not notice the odor of marijuana in the facility. LPA only witnessed clients smoking tobacco cigarettes in the patio area which is allowed per the house rules.

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: 05/15/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/15/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2