198601574-3-2-2023-11-AS-MVAO-CPQQ2G-20230308104707

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198601574
Report Date: 03/02/2023
Date Signed: 03/02/2023 01:52:16 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO, 1000 CORPORATE DR #100
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/23/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Perry Scott

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 11-AS-20230223084511

FACILITY NAME:	CARTAGENA HOME		FACILITY NUMBER:	198601574
ADMINISTRATOR:	PEARL LAMB		FACILITY TYPE:	735
ADDRESS:	1306 CARTAGENA STREET		TELEPHONE:	(562) 988-8142
CITY:	LONG BEACH	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90807
CAPACITY:	4	CENSUS: 4	DATE:	03/02/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:42 AM
MET WITH:	Pearl Lamb		TIME COMPLETED:	01:52 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff withheld residents cash resources

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 03/02/23 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Perry Scott conducted an initial 10-day visit regarding the allegation above. LPA was met by DSP Amber Vargas, and later by administrator, Pearl Lamb; and the purpose of the visit was explained.

Investigation Consisted of the following:

LPA toured the facility. The following documents were requested and obtained: resident and staff rosters, cash on hand ledgers, bank statements for residents, needs/service plan, face sheet, ID Emergency information, and other pertinent documents. LPA conducted interviews with the administrator, Pearl Lamb, staff S2-S4, and resident R1. Other residents R2-R4 are non-verbal and couldn’t be interviewed.

The investigation revealed the following: Allegation- Staff withheld residents cash resources.

Continued on LIC9099-C

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Janae Hammond
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Perry Scott
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/02/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/02/2023

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 11-AS-20230223084511

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO, 1000 CORPORATE DR #100
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: CARTAGENA HOME	FACILITY NUMBER: 198601574
	VISIT DATE: 03/02/2023

NARRATIVE

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The investigation revealed the following: Allegation- Staff withheld residents cash resources.

On 03/02/23 LPA interviewed administrator, Pearl Lamb about the allegation. LPA asked if the staff were withholding the residents cash resources. The administrator denied the allegation. LPA Scott and the administrator went through each resident’s (R1-R4) cash resources (cash box, bank statements, receipts) and verified that all monies were accounted for. The administrator counted each resident’s cash box in front of the LPA, and everything was in order. LPA further verified that no one other than the administrator and the Program Supervisor, Vanessa Vazquez (S4) has access to the resident’s money.

On 03/02/23 LPA Scott verified that the cash resources box for R1 contained $77.60 bank statement of $69.91, R2 contained $28.97 bank statement of $258.45, R3 contained $81.37 bank statement of $3.49, and R4 contained $226.12 bank statement of $20.37.

On 03/02/23 LPA interviewed R1 about the allegation that the staff was withholding cash resources from the residents, and R1 stated that there was not a problem with any of R1s cash resources and was able to use the money when required. R1 is independent and has access to a debit card. LPA was not able to interview R2-R4 because they are non-verbal; but verified their cash resources and they were in order. Based on the interview the facility is not withholding any money from the resident. And R1 states that R1 is happy with the facility and the treatment, care, and supervision given.

On 03/02/23, LPA interviewed S2-S4 and verified that S2-S3 did not have access to the resident’s money but S4 does. However, when the residents go out on outings, they have money to spend on a debit card given to the staff by the administrator (S1) or the Program Supervisor (S4), that they use to spend on whatever items they want or require such as: snacks, clothes, t-shirts, etc.

Based on interviews, available evidence, observation, information received, and records reviewed there was not enough sufficient evidence to support the allegation. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is deemed unsubstantiated.

An exit interview was conducted with Pearl Lamb, administrator and a hard copy of the report was provided.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Janae Hammond
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Perry Scott
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/02/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/02/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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