198602535-11-30-2023-11-AS-MVAO-CZJR35-20240116113923

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198602535
Report Date: 11/30/2023
Date Signed: 11/30/2023 12:18:58 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
11/22/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Alfonso Iniguez

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 11-AS-20231122120216

FACILITY NAME:	FRIENDS UNITED		FACILITY NUMBER:	198602535
ADMINISTRATOR:	SUDECK, ELIZABETH		FACILITY TYPE:	735
ADDRESS:	12245 RAMONA AVE		TELEPHONE:	(310) 679-5564
CITY:	HAWTHORNE	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90250
CAPACITY:	6	CENSUS: 4	DATE:	11/30/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:21 AM
MET WITH:	Elizabeth Sudeck-Licensee		TIME COMPLETED:	12:16 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff do not have records of resident's P&I funds.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 11/30/2023 LPA Alfonso Iniguez conducted an unannounced complaint visit. LPA Iniguez met with Elizabeth Sudeck/Licensee. LPA explained the purpose of this visit.

Investigation Consisted of: LPA conducted the following interviews: Administrator Interview(A#1), Client’s interviews (C#1-C#4) and Quality Assurance Specialists (QA1-QA2). LPA obtained and reviewed the following documents: Client’s roster, Personnel roster, (C#1-C#4) Identification and Emergency Information, (C#1-C#4) Admissions agreements, (C#1-C#4) Physicians Report for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly, (C#1-C#4) Needs and Services Plan, (C#1-C#4) Medication Administration Record (MAR) for the month of November 2023, copy of audit dated on 11/20/2023 performed by Westside Regional Center QA specialist, copy of both bank statements (facility expenditures and clients P&I) copy of debit cards (facility petty cash and P&I), copy of P&I client ledgers from 2022-2023, copy of facility surety bond paid through September 24, 2026.

Evaluation Report continues LIC 9099-C

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Eva M Alvarez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Alfonso Iniguez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 11/30/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/30/2023

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-20231122120216

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: FRIENDS UNITED	FACILITY NUMBER: 198602535
	VISIT DATE: 11/30/2023

NARRATIVE

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Investigation Revealed the Following:

Allegation: Staff do not have records of residents’ P&I funds.

The details of the complaint alleged that facility is not keeping P&I records.

During the records review, LPA Iniguez reviewed the following: LPA reviewed both facility petty cash and clients' P&I bank account statements; each bank account has a separate account number. In addition, LPA observed two different debit cards at the facility used for clients' P&I expenditures and facility expenditures; both cards have other numbers. In addition, LPA kept the 2022 and 2023 clients' ledgers; there are ledgers from January-December 2022 and January-November 2023.

During the Interview with Quality Assurance Specialists (QA1-QA2) from Westside Regional Center, they stated that on 11/20/2023, they conducted an audit at the facility; during this audit (QA1) and (QA2) found that the licensee has a consolidated bank account where the facility money and the client’s money is kept together. Also, during this audit, (QA1) and (QA2) discovered that the facility had not cashed the client’s monthly checks from the regional center, adding the amount to one thousand to three thousand dollars. This concerned the QA specialists because the client’s medical and SSI benefits could be affected.

During an interview with the Licensee (L#1), she stated that the facility's four clients are from Westside Regional Center, and the facility handles their P&I. In addition, (L#1) noted that the facility has a separate account, one for facility expenditures and one for the client's P&I. LPA asked the licensee if the bank accounts are consolidated, and she stated that neither are separate. On the other hand, (L#1) noted that the facility keeps track of client's expenditures in monthly ledgers and has a current surety bond.

Evaluation Report continues LIC 9099-C

SUPERVISORS NAME: Eva M Alvarez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Alfonso Iniguez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 11/30/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/30/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 11-AS-20231122120216

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: FRIENDS UNITED	FACILITY NUMBER: 198602535
	VISIT DATE: 11/30/2023

NARRATIVE

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During an Interview with the Administrator (A#1), she stated that the clients residing at the facility are from Westside Regional Center, and the facility handles their P&I. Also, (A#1) stated that we use two debit cards at the facility: petty cash and P&I. In addition, (A#1) stated that the facility keeps all the receipts from clients' purchases, and they keep monthly ledgers. Also, she states that the facility does have a surety bond.

During interviews with clients (C#1-C#2), 2 out of 2 stated that they facility takes them shopping and when the facility staff buys them whatever they want.

During this investigation, LPA found did not find sufficient evident to support the above-mentioned allegations.

Based on the evidence gathered, interviews conducted, and records reviewed, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the above-mentioned allegation(s) are found to be UNSUBSTANTIATED.

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.

California Code of Regulations (Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8).

An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of the Complaint Report was given to Elizabeth Sudeck/Licensee.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Eva M Alvarez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Alfonso Iniguez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 11/30/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/30/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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