198603578-2-1-2024-28-AS-FFIS-D27UJU-20240206143803

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198603578
Report Date: 02/01/2024
Date Signed: 02/01/2024 12:06:58 PM

Unsubstantiated

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
01/25/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Jose Villalobos

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 28-AS-20240125084553

FACILITY NAME:	RHEMA CARE GROUP ALFORD		FACILITY NUMBER:	198603578
ADMINISTRATOR:	NWAKA, ANGELA		FACILITY TYPE:	735
ADDRESS:	1034 E. ALFORD STREET		TELEPHONE:	(626) 324-3134
CITY:	AZUSA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91702
CAPACITY:	4	CENSUS: 4	DATE:	02/01/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:45 AM
MET WITH:	Administrator Kalu Nwaka		TIME COMPLETED:	12:20 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff did not administer a client's medication while in care
Staff did not prevent a client from hitting another client while in care
Staff made an inappropriate comment towards a client
Staff inappropriately grabbed a client's arm

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jose Villalobos conducted an initial complaint investigation visit for the allegation(s) above. LPA met with staff Obi-Ijomah and the purpose of the visit was explained. Administrator Kalu Nwaka arrived shortly after.

LPA Villalobos conducted the following: toured the physical plant, Interviewed clients #1-#4 (C1-C4), Interviewed Staff #1-#3 (S1-S3), reviewed and collected copies from C1's file and C1's medications records, reviewed and collected copies of the facility sign out sheet for December 2023-January 2024. The investigation revealed the following:

Continued on LIC 9099-C

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Fernando Fierros
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Jose Villalobos
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/01/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/01/2024

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-20240125084553

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: RHEMA CARE GROUP ALFORD	FACILITY NUMBER: 198603578
	VISIT DATE: 02/01/2024

NARRATIVE

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In regards to the allegation "Staff did not administer a client's medication while in care" it alleged that C1 was not provided their medication for 12 days straight. (3) of (3) Staff denied the allegation. (4) of (4) Clients interviewed could not corroborate the allegation. C1 stated that they were out of the facility a lot of days and also in the hospital for some. Interviews show that C1 leaves the facility on their own and does not take their medication with them. C1 corroborated that they will take their medications in the home but do not take anything when they go out. Interviews and review of incident reports between 1/19/24-1/25/24 show that C1 was not in the facility in order for staff to provide C1 their medications. LPA observed C1's medication record showing that C1 will receive their medication on days they are in the facility. LPA also observed a sign out sheet that C1 signs when they go out to the community on their own to match the medication record on file. Based on the interviews, observations and file reviews conducted; 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 allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

In regards to the allegation "Staff did not prevent a client from hitting another client while in care" it was alleged that staff did not prevent C2 from hitting C1. (3) of (3) Staff interviewed denied the allegation. (4) of (4) Clients interviewed could not corroborate the allegation. C1 stated that no other clients hit them. C2 denied the allegation. LPA was not provided with proof to show C2 hit C1 in the facility and staff did not assist. Staff interviewed stated they will intervene if they ever believe a client would hit another client. They would address the issue as it happens. Based on the interviews, observations and file reviews conducted; 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 allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

In regards to the allegation "Staff made an inappropriate comment towards a client" it was alleged S2 made inappropriate comments towards C1. (3) of (3) Staff interviewed denied the allegation. (4) of (4) Clients interviewed could not corroborate the allegation. C1 stated that no staff had spoken inappropriately to them. LPA did not observe staff speak to clients inappropriately during the visit. LPA was not provided with proof that any staff had ever spoken inappropriately to clients in care. Based on the interviews, observations and file reviews conducted; 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 allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Continued on LIC 9099-C

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Fernando Fierros
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Jose Villalobos
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/01/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/01/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 28-AS-20240125084553

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: RHEMA CARE GROUP ALFORD	FACILITY NUMBER: 198603578
	VISIT DATE: 02/01/2024

NARRATIVE

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In regards to the allegation "Staff inappropriately grabbed a client's arm" it was alleged that S2 grabbed C1's arm inappropriately. (3) of (3) Staff interviewed denied the allegation. (4) of (4) Clients interviewed denied the allegation. File review does not show incidents of any staff needing to hold C1 for any reason. C1 denied that any staff grabbed them inappropriately. S2 denied having grabbed C1 inappropriately. LPA was not provided with proof that staff grabbed C1 inappropriately. Based on the interviews, observations and file reviews conducted; 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 allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Exit Interview conducted and a copy of this report was provided.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Fernando Fierros
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Jose Villalobos
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/01/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/01/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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