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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 300603549
Report Date: 08/07/2024
Date Signed: 08/07/2024 11:54:09 AM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY RO, 770 THE CITY DR., SUITE 7100
ORANGE, CA 92868
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
03/19/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Jacqueline Garcia
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 22-CR-20240319100538
FACILITY NAME:NEW ALTERNATIVES, INC #5FACILITY NUMBER:
300603549
ADMINISTRATOR:MICHAEL ARMASFACILITY TYPE:
733
ADDRESS:TELEPHONE:
CITY:STATE: ZIP CODE:
CAPACITY:16CENSUS: 8DATE:
08/07/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:30 AM
MET WITH:Michael Armas-Program DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
12:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff are sleeping during the evening hours
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On August 07, 2024, at 10:30 AM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jacqueline Garcia conducted an unannounced visit to New Alternatives INC #5 and met with Program Director, Michael Armas, to deliver the investigative findings for the allegation listed above. On 03/25/24, LPA conducted a health and safety inspection at the facility, and no immediate health and safety hazards were observed. During the investigation, LPA reviewed C1 facility file and staff files. LPA interviewed three clients (C2-C4), five staff (S1-S5) and attempted to interview one client (C1), however was not able to reach. LPA Also attempted to interview S6 however, they no longer worked at the facility.

On 03/19/24, Community Care Licensing (CCL) received allegation that staff are sleeping during the evening hours. It was specifically reported that C1 got up in the middle of the night and two staff were sleeping. Confidential interviews indicated that a staff (unknown) was seen sitting in the hallway with their head back in the middle of the night.
****CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 9099-C.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ann Valenzuela
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jacqueline Garcia
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2024
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 7
Control Number 22-CR-20240319100538
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY RO, 770 THE CITY DR., SUITE 7100
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: NEW ALTERNATIVES, INC #5
FACILITY NUMBER: 300603549
VISIT DATE: 08/07/2024
NARRATIVE
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Documents reviewed confirmed that S6 was terminated for sleeping during the night shift.

Based on confidential interviews and documents reviewed, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met and the allegations that Staff are sleeping during the evening hours is substantiated. The facility is being cited for violation of Interim Licensing Standards (ILS), version 5, article 06 Continuing Requirements, section 87065.5 (a)(2) Direct Care Staff/Child Ratios.

An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report along with appeal rights was provided to Michael Armas.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ann Valenzuela
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jacqueline Garcia
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 7
Control Number 22-CR-20240319100538
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY RO, 770 THE CITY DR., SUITE 7100
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: NEW ALTERNATIVES, INC #5
FACILITY NUMBER: 300603549
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 08/07/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
08/07/2024
Section Cited
ILS
87065.5(a)(2)
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Section 87065.5 (a)(2) Direct Care Staff/Child Ratios: In a facility with a licensed capacity of six or fewer children, there shall be coverage by direct care staff as follows: During the hours of 10 pm to 7 am, there shall be one awake and on duty direct care staff for every six children, or fraction thereof, present, at a minimum.
This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Per Administrator the facility will provide training on direct care and supervision to ensure the children's safety and well-being. The facility will provide proof of training by 08/21/24 to the Department and the documentation shall include the date and time the training took place. In addition, what steps have been taken to ensure this deficiency can be avoided in the future.
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Based on confidential interviews and documents reviewed, staff were caught sleeping during the night shift, which posed a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to children in care.
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Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ann Valenzuela
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jacqueline Garcia
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 7
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY RO, 770 THE CITY DR., SUITE 7100
ORANGE, CA 92868
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
03/19/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Jacqueline Garcia
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 22-CR-20240319100538

FACILITY NAME:NEW ALTERNATIVES, INC #5FACILITY NUMBER:
300603549
ADMINISTRATOR:MICHAEL ARMASFACILITY TYPE:
733
ADDRESS:985 VICTORIA STREETTELEPHONE:
(949) 646-3489
CITY:COSTA MESASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92627
CAPACITY:16CENSUS: 8DATE:
08/07/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:30 AM
MET WITH:Michael ArmasTIME COMPLETED:
12:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff do not provide adequate care and supervision to the minors
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On August 07, 2024 at 10:50 a.m, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jacqueline Garcia arrived unannounced at the facility and met with Michael Armas, to discuss the investigative finding for the allegation noted above. On 03/25/2024 LPA conducted an inspection of the facility, and no deficiencies were noted. LPA interviewed three clients (C2-C4), five staff (S1-S5) and attempted to interview client (C1), however after several attempts LPA was unsuccessful to make contact. During the investigation, LPA reviewed C1’s file, and facility documents.

On 03/19/24, Community Care Licensing (CCL) received an allegation Staff do not provide adequate care and supervision to the minors. During the investigation, there was no corroborating evidence to support the above allegation. Although the department received information that C1 sneaks into C2 room in the middle of the night, C1 was not able to confirm or deny the alleged allegation. Confidential interviews denied the alleged allegation. However, the dates of the alleged incidents were not provided therefore it is unknown what staff was working when the alleged incidents occurred. *****CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE 9099-C.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ann Valenzuela
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jacqueline Garcia
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2024
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 7
Control Number 22-CR-20240319100538
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY RO, 770 THE CITY DR., SUITE 7100
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: NEW ALTERNATIVES, INC #5
FACILITY NUMBER: 300603549
VISIT DATE: 08/07/2024
NARRATIVE
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Based on confidential interviews and records reviewed Staff do not provide adequate care and supervision to the minors, which may have occurred, however, it is not supported or proven by the evidence. Therefore, the allegation is unsubstantiated at this time.

An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report along with appeal rights was provided to Michael Armas.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ann Valenzuela
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jacqueline Garcia
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/07/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 7