198603292-3-27-2026-28-AS-LHIS-DSRP82-20260402110448

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198603292
Report Date: 03/27/2026
Date Signed: 03/27/2026 12:06:21 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK ASC, 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
02/09/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Bennette Pena

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 28-AS-20260209234254

FACILITY NAME:	VOCATIONAL INNOVATIONS-DIAMOND BAR		FACILITY NUMBER:	198603292
ADMINISTRATOR:	MICHAEL SANTOS		FACILITY TYPE:	775
ADDRESS:	850-856 N. DIAMOND BAR BLVD		TELEPHONE:	(909) 833-2111
CITY:	DIAMOND BAR	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91765
CAPACITY:	60	CENSUS: 43	DATE:	03/27/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	10:00 AM
MET WITH:	Michael Santos - Program Director		TIME COMPLETED:	12:15 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Client sustained multiple bruises due to staff neglect or physical abuse.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Bennette Pena conducted a subsequent complaint visit regarding the above stated allegation. LPA met with Michael Santos, Program Director/Administrator, and explained the reason for the visit.
The investigation consisted of the following: On 02/17/2026, LPA conducted a tour of the facility, reviewed and obtained copies of the Staff and Client rosters, Staff in-service training log on Mandated reporting, Rights to Privacy and Dignity Policy and Pro-ACT Basic Principles/Restraint, Staff #3 (S3)'s completed training and Personnel record, Program's hands-off policy, Client #1 (C1) files such as: Face sheet/Identification and Emergency Information, Physician's Report, Individualized Service Plan (ISP) (03/07/2025), Individual Program Plan (IPP) (03/01/2022), Medication list, Unusual Injury/Incident Report/SIR and SOC 341 (02/09/2026) and photos of bruised arm (dated 01/02/2026, 01/29/2026 and 02/05/2026). LPA also interviewed Staff #1 (S1) - Staff #2 (S2) and Client #2 (C2) - Client #6 (C6). Client #1 (C1) who is non verbal has not been attending the program; therefore not interviewed. LPA requested the contact/phone information for Staff #3 (S3) - Staff #4 (S4), QA at San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center and Family member (FM). Prior to today's visit, LPA interviewed Staff #3 (S3) - Staff #4 (S4), Family member (FM) and QA at San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center telephonically.
During today’s visit, LPA obtained copies of the Staff and Client rosters, SGPRC findings/recommendations and delivered findings. *****CONTINUED ON LIC9099-C*****

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Lisa Hicks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Bennette Pena
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/27/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/27/2026

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 28-AS-20260209234254

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK ASC, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. ST 500
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: VOCATIONAL INNOVATIONS-DIAMOND BAR	FACILITY NUMBER: 198603292
	VISIT DATE: 03/27/2026

NARRATIVE

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The investigation revealed the following:

Regarding the allegation: Client sustained multiple bruises due to staff neglect or physical abuse. It was alleged that FM reported concerns about possible physical abuse after noticing bruising on C1's arm since January 2025. Since then, C1 has returned home with more bruises on the inner arm and forearm. All staff interviewed denied the allegation. S1 stated that facility has 'hands-off policy' and paws not claws approach and staff are trained to verbally redirect the clients. S1 stated that FM called the program on February 06, 2026 to report their concerns about C1's bruises, which they had noticed since January 2025. S1 conducted an internal investigation and found out that FM had reported and sent photos of C1's bruises to S4 in January but failed to report it to S1. Staff stated that C1 is very routine oriented and has elopement behavior, sometimes leaving the supervised area without permission. Interview with S3 revealed that on February 4, 2026, S3 was assigned to C1 where C1 was having behavioral issues such as yelling and forcefully pushing through staff and doors with his arms. S3 held C1's arm to redirect them. And while outside the building, cars were coming in and C1 was trying to leave the area without warning. Due to instinct, S3 grabbed C1’s arm to keep C1 safe. This was witnessed by S4 who corrected and reminded S3 of the hands-off policy, and to verbally redirect clients instead. Interview with S3 and S4 revealed that the intervention was a necessary ‘safety’ hold rather than intentional harm. Because C1 demonstrated a behavioral risk of eloping, S3 responded quickly by grabbing C1’s arm, preventing C1 from danger, and not due to neglect or physical abuse. S4 indicated that as S3 was new, S3 grabbed C1’s arm without malice or excessive force. Interviewed clients denied the allegation and stated that no one has harmed them and they never sustained bruises due to staff’s neglect or physical abuse. Interview with FM revealed that the bruises started back in January with date stamped photos as evidence. San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center's investigation was inconclusive. Therefore, there was insufficient evidence to corroborate the allegation of staff neglect or physical abuse.

Based on statements and interviews conducted with clients and staff as well as reviewed files and documentation, there was not enough supportive evidence to corroborate 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 UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Exit interview conducted and a copy of this report was provided to Michael Santos, Program Director.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Lisa Hicks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Bennette Pena
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/27/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/27/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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