198601716-3-28-2025-28-AS-FFIS-DFMVVM-20250411164632

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198601716
Report Date: 03/28/2025
Date Signed: 03/28/2025 04:30:03 PM

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
02/28/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Cynthia D Chan

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 28-AS-20250228123853

FACILITY NAME:	CHOICES R US - MIGUEL		FACILITY NUMBER:	198601716
ADMINISTRATOR:	CARDENAS, GILBERT		FACILITY TYPE:	735
ADDRESS:	3951 MIGUEL AVE		TELEPHONE:	(562) 801-3061
CITY:	PICO RIVERA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90660
CAPACITY:	4	CENSUS: 3	DATE:	03/28/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	02:10 PM
MET WITH:	Isidro Serrano, DSP		TIME COMPLETED:	04:00 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff are engaging in sexual activity in the common area of the facility.
Staff instruct clients to stay in their rooms.
Staff drove clients in facility van while intoxicated.
Staff punched facility wall causing a hole.
Staff do not ensure that client does not have access to knives.
Staff mismanaged client P&I funds.
Staff mismanaged client medication.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Cynthia Chan conducted a subsequent visit to deliver findings for the allegations listed above. LPA met with Staff, Isidro Serrano, and explained the reason for the visit.

The investigation consisted of the following:
On 3/7/25, LPA toured the facility, obtained copies of the staff and client rosters, and conducted interviews with the administrator and Staff #1. LPA requested copies of Clients #1 - #3's current Individual Program Plan (IPP). LPA interviewed additional 3 staff and 3 clients via telephone on different dates.

The investigation revealed the following:
Allegation - Staff are engaging in sexual activity in the common area of the facility. It is alleged that staff are having sexual relations during the workday at the facility.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Tony Vasallo
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Cynthia D Chan
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/28/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/28/2025

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-20250228123853

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: CHOICES R US - MIGUEL	FACILITY NUMBER: 198601716
	VISIT DATE: 03/28/2025

NARRATIVE

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LPA interviewed the administrator, Staff, and Clients. The alleged staff members involved denied any personal relationships besides being co-workers. Other staff interviewed are not aware and have not seen any unacceptable activities at the facility. LPA interviewed the 3 clients, and they have not seen any inappropriate relationships between the staff members.

Allegation - Staff instruct clients to stay in their rooms. The administrator and staff stated the clients can come out of their rooms whenever they wish. Clients are not told to stay in their rooms often. Staff stated the clients come out to the living room to watch t.v. LPA interviewed the clients who stated they can go in and out of their rooms when they want. None of the staff have told them to stay in their rooms.

Allegation - Staff drove clients in the facility van while intoxicated. It is alleged that Staff #1 was driving the facility van while intoxicated and got into an accident. Per the administrator, the staff driving the facility van got into a minor accident back in August 2024, however, staff was not intoxicated. The police arrived on the scene, but did not file a written report since there were no injuries and the accident was minor. Staff #1 denied driving intoxicated, and clients interviewed confirmed staff did not drive intoxicated.

Allegation - Staff punched a facility wall causing a hole. It is alleged that 2 staff got into a physical fight about 3-4 months ago and put a hole in the wall. The alleged Staff stated they did not get into any fights and punch the wall. They were not aware of the hole in the wall by the kitchen. LPA interviewed the 3 clients, and one client stated that it was a client who made the whole in the wall. It was reported that 2 clients were involved in the altercation and one of them hit the wall. Clients interviewed have not witnessed staff fighting at the facility.

Allegation - Staff do not ensure that client does not have access to knives. It is alleged that staff are aware that a client has knives in the room. The administrator and staff stated they have not observed or confiscated any knives or sharps in the clients’ rooms. The facility keeps the knives locked in a closet by the clients’ rooms. They clean their rooms weekly and have not seen any dangerous objects. Clients interviewed stated they do not bring back any knives to the facility. They stated the knives are locked and only staff have access to them.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Tony Vasallo
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Cynthia D Chan
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/28/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/28/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 28-AS-20250228123853

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: CHOICES R US - MIGUEL	FACILITY NUMBER: 198601716
	VISIT DATE: 03/28/2025

NARRATIVE

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Allegation - Staff mismanaged client P&I funds. It is alleged that Staff #1 took the client’s P&I funds and used the money for their own needs. The administrator stated that she and the house lead are the ones who handle the P&I funds. She checks the funds frequently to ensure that the ledgers are done accurately. She has not encountered money missing from the clients’ P&I. The administrator stated that they only a keep a small amount of their P&I at the facility versus their entire balance. Staff #1 denied this allegation and stated the funds are kept in the pouch and given to them upon request. LPA reviewed the P&I ledgers and the amount matched as indicated.

Allegation - Staff mismanaged client medication. It is alleged that a staff logged a client's medication on the wrong medication log. LPA reviewed the medications during the visit and there were no discrepancies found. Per the administrator, she and the house lead will check the medication and the medication record log to ensure they are accurate. She stated that on the recent month, the Order (Rx) number did not match on the bubble pack. She contacted the pharmacist to inform of the discrepancy. However, she was told the medication provided was correct, but the order number was misprinted by the pharmacy. Staff stated they have not mismanaged the medications and clients take their medications as prescribed. LPA interviewed 3 clients, and they stated the medications are given on time.

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.

An exit interview was conducted with Staff Serrano. A copy of this report along with the appeal rights was provided.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Tony Vasallo
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Cynthia D Chan
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/28/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/28/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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