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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198601509
Report Date: 02/20/2026
Date Signed: 02/20/2026 12:24:22 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 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
02/17/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Noemi Galarza
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 28-AS-20260217093827
FACILITY NAME:ELWYN CA - DE SALESFACILITY NUMBER:
198601509
ADMINISTRATOR:ERIC ESPARTEROFACILITY TYPE:
735
ADDRESS:610 N DE SALES STTELEPHONE:
(626) 872-6983
CITY:SAN GABRIELSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91775
CAPACITY:4CENSUS: 4DATE:
02/20/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:21 AM
MET WITH:Tanya Andiarena, LVNTIME COMPLETED:
12:25 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff behavior posed a risk to the residents in care.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Galarza conducted an initial complaint visit in reference to the above allegation. LPA was greeted by LVN Tanya Andiarena. Administrator Eric Espartero was explained the purpose of the visit and interviewed telephonically.

The investigation consisted of the following: Record review and a tour of the interior and exterior physical plant was conducted. A basketball net was observed in the backyard patio area. Five (5) staff were interviewed. Three (3) out of 4 resident have limited cognitive ability to communicate and were not interviewed. One resident is able to communicate but they were not present, therefore, were not interviewed. The faciity program design was reviewed and relevant documents were obtained. Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center Corrective Action Plan was obtained.

See LIC 9099C for report continuation.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lisa Hicks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Noemi Galarza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
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-20260217093827
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. ST 500
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
FACILITY NAME: ELWYN CA - DE SALES
FACILITY NUMBER: 198601509
VISIT DATE: 02/20/2026
NARRATIVE
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Allegation: Staff behavior poses as a risk to the residents in care. It is alleged that an off-duty DSP staff member and their child attended a birthday celebration of a resident that resides in the facility. According to information obtained, resident (R1) is non-verbal and/or minimally communicates. The complaint alleges residents (R1) and other residents neither invited nor objected to the child’s presence at the birthday party. Three (3) out of four (4) residents have limited cognitive abilities. There is one resident that can communicate, but they were not present; therefore, they were not interviewed. A total of five staff were interviewed. Staff interviews revealed that on January 21, 2026, the facility had a birthday party for resident (R1) and off-duty staff (S1) came by with their child to celebrate the resident. Administrator stated off-duty S1 asked for permission to visit with their child and was granted permission because the staff wanted to celebrate R1, and it is customary for the facility to invite family and neighbors with children to their celebrations as a community inclusion practice. Staff (S1) confirmed they were in attendance, but they never posed a risk to residents in care. Interviews revealed S1’s presence did not pose a health or safety risk to any of the residents in care because there was sufficient staffing and their child was never left alone with the residents. Staff stated that another staff person did play outdoor basketball with the young child, but the staff member did not neglect their duties. All residents were outside sitting in the patio next to the basketball net, and there was a total of 5 staff outdoors providing care and supervision to the residents. Staff acknowledged understanding of resident's visitation and choice rights. Based on record review of the specialized home and HCBS Final Rule requirements, the facility did not make aware the resident's closest advocate(s) that an off-duty staff and their child would be visiting the facility during the birthday celebration. A child visitor is not prohibited from visiting; however, it must be a resident's choice and there must be documentation that all residents were consulted and agreed. Although the visitors did not pose any immediate danger to residents in care the resident(s) right to privacy and choice was not considered. The Regional Center issued a Corrective Action Plan that addresses HCBS guidelines, program design, and license parameters.

Based on record review and interviews, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. Deficiencies are being cited according to California Code of Regulations, Title 22.



An exit interview was conducted with LVN Tanya Andiarena and discussed telephonically with Administrator Eric Espartero. A copy of the report an appeal rights were provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lisa Hicks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Noemi Galarza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 28-AS-20260217093827
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. ST 500
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: ELWYN CA - DE SALES
FACILITY NUMBER: 198601509
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 02/20/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
03/16/2026
Section Cited
CCR
80072(a)(1)
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Personal Rights. Except for children’s residential facilities, each client shall have personal rights which include, but are not limited to, the following: To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons.
This requirement was not met evidenced by:
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Administrator agreed to submit proof of HCBS Final Rule training and a written plan of correction that addresses visitation policy and communication procedures with residents and their authorized representatives.
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Based on interview and record review, the findings indicate that on 1/21/26, the facility had a birthday party for R1, and an off-duty staff and their child attended the celebration, but no effort to obtain permission from residents or their authorized representatives was attempted/documented. This poses a potential health, safety, and personal rights risk.
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Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lisa Hicks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Noemi Galarza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3