<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198603578
Report Date: 04/16/2026
Date Signed: 04/16/2026 11:03:19 AM

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
08/07/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Nune Margaryan
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 28-AS-20250807155135
FACILITY NAME:RHEMA CARE GROUP ALFORDFACILITY NUMBER:
198603578
ADMINISTRATOR:NWAKA, KALUFACILITY TYPE:
735
ADDRESS:1034 E. ALFORD STREETTELEPHONE:
(626) 210-1447
CITY:AZUSASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91702
CAPACITY:4CENSUS: 4DATE:
04/16/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:20 AM
MET WITH:Kalu NwakaTIME COMPLETED:
11:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Staff hit resident causing injury
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Nune Margaryan conducted a subsequent unannounced complaint visit to deliver finding to the above-mentioned allegation. LPA met with Kalu Nwaka, Administrator and explained the reason for visit.

During the initial investigations conducted on 08/08/25 and 03/10/26, Administrator, S1 – S5, C1, C2, C3, FM, RC representative ( Regional Center) were interviewed. LPA attempted to interview C4 and C5. Was unable to interview as C4 is non-verbal and C5 refused to be interviewed. Copies of relevant documents were obtained. During the visits no immediate Health & Safety concerns were observed. C1 is not at facility since August 2025 and was interviewed over the phone.
Continue 9099C
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Wei Siew Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nune Margaryan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/16/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/16/2026
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-20250807155135
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: 04/16/2026
NARRATIVE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Regarding the allegation: Staff hit client causing injury. It was alleged that client was hit with a stick by the staff resulting in bruises.
Based on interviews conducted, file review and information gathered, the findings indicate that on 08/05/25 at about 5:30pm C1 attempted to leave the facility to purchase a gift card for a random individual C1 met online. Staff redirected C1 and advised C1 to consult with FM due to concerns regarding potential scam. Similar incidents had occurred in the past where C1 was financially exploited by individuals online who pretended to be in relationships with C1. After being redirected to call FM, C1 became verbally and physically aggressive towards staff, using racial slurs and repeatedly punching the walls in his bedroom, the kitchen and living room, causing holes in the walls. S4 and S5 attempted to redirect C1. After calling FM and 911, C1 came out from the bedroom, continuing to be verbally and physically aggressive toward staff. When staff attempted to redirect C1, C1 struck / punched the S4 in the face / eye and pushed S5, attempted to grab S5 by the shirt. C1 then lunged at S4, grabbed S4’s leg and then went to bite S4, causing S4 to bleed. Later S4 sought medical attention at Urgent Care, where they received a tetanus shot and a prescription for antibiotics. All that time S5 was verbally redirecting and attempting to disengage C1 from further biting into the S5’s leg. Interviewed S5 indicated that they tried to help S4 by attempting to move C1 away. FM later arrived at the facility. While C1’s FM was still speaking with C1, C1 smashed the dining room window using a paper towel holder from the kitchen. Police Officer from Azusa Police Department also arrived shortly after FM came in and addressed the situation. C1 continued to use racial slurs toward the Police officer. C1 calmed down when C1’s FM offered to take C1 out per Police Officer suggestion. . Later that night, staff observed minor bruises on C1’s body, which C1 likely sustained while staff was attempting to safely disengage C1 from biting the staff's leg. C1’s aggressive behavior had occurred in the past and is consistent with previous incidents in which C1 had struck his head, hands, and feet against walls, windows and trashed/broken items in the living room and kitchen area. At about 12:30am (08/06/25) Police Officer returned to the facility and stated that C1 contacted police again and requested for paramedics. C1 was transported to the hospital for additional evaluation and later came back on the same day. According to Administrator, C1 exhibited several behaviors including Property Destruction, Physical and Verbal Aggression, Self Injurious Behavior, Inappropriate Social Behavior and Making False Statements. Review of C1’s Individualized Program Plan (IPP) indicates that C1 has a history of specified behaviors. San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center IPP summary displays C1’s self injurious behavior: Engaging in acts that inflict self harm such but not limited to hitting self, pinching self, scratching self, cutting arms and face with sharp objects, biting lip and fingers/nails, hitting head.

Continue 9099C

SUPERVISORS NAME: Wei Siew Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nune Margaryan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/16/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/16/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 28-AS-20250807155135
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: 04/16/2026
NARRATIVE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
C1 has a history of damaging property by creating holes in walls, tearing down door frames. C1 also lit various fires ending in eviction notices from previous residential facilities. C1 was emergency placement and this facility was their 3rd group home in one year for the same consistent behaviors. LPA interviewed RC representative who stated that the investigation was still open and he could not obtain police report at this time. LPA spoke with Police Officer who stated that there is no report and mentioned that it was not confirm that C1 hit by the stick and bruises on C1’s body it is very likely that it could be result of self injuries behavior and from staff defensive actions. Interviewed staff denied that staff hit the client with the stick. Staff indicated that they would never do that to any client. Interviewed staff stated that C1 has self injury behavior and bruises on C1 body is probably from C1 hitting themselves or hitting arms and other parts of body on an object. Also they indicated that C1 often make false allegations / statements about staff and other clients in the home hitting them. C1 would call their family and would make false statements to them about being hit by staff. Interviewed Administrator stated that the home is a behavioral home and they can use CPI on clients if clients were endangered to self or others, but the CPI techniques should always be used as the last resort. Interviewed staff indicated that they could not conduct CPI due to staff sustaining injury as C1 hit / punched S4 on the face / eye and grabbed and bite S4’s leg, grabbed S5’s shirt, pushed S5 and was unmanageable, irresistible. Interviewed FM stated that C1 told them that staff hit them with a stick. FM stated they were not witnessed that staff hit C1 with the stick and it was hard for FM to confirm staff name. FM indicated that C1 is with the family now. The RC representative told FM it would be better if C1 stayed with the family for now. LPA interviewed C1 over the phone. C1 stated that they /staff hit them but was not able to provide any information about the incident: when and where it happened, who hit them. States that cannot remember if staff hit them with a stick. C1 stated that they are ok and don't have any pain and want to stay home with family. Interviewed C2 and C3 stated that staff didn’t push or hit them. They stated they never witnessed staff hitting client with a stick. C3 stated that C1 was very loud and raised their voice at staff and clients and sometime ago C1 punched the walls and made holes. Also C1 could have hit staff or clients as they passed by staff or client. At the time of visits LPA observed that staff were nice and respectful towards clients and did not observe a stick inside or outside of facility. Interviews conducted do not corroborate this allegation. Based on observation, file review and interviews, investigation revealed: 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 was conducted with Administrator and a copy of this report was provided.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Wei Siew Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nune Margaryan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/16/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/16/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3