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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304370213
Report Date: 05/10/2024
Date Signed: 05/10/2024 03:12:27 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
03/07/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Giselle Lucero
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20240307152702
FACILITY NAME:CATALYST KIDS-TRIDENTFACILITY NUMBER:
304370213
ADMINISTRATOR:PHILLIPS, DEBBIEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1800 WEST BALL ROADTELEPHONE:
(714) 999-5632
CITY:ANAHEIMSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92804
CAPACITY:41CENSUS: 20DATE:
05/10/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
02:30 PM
MET WITH:Director Magali MesinaTIME COMPLETED:
03:20 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff handled child in a rough manner
Staff spoke inappropriately to child in care
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analysts (LPA), Giselle Lucero and Alma Castro conducted an unannounced complaint inspection to deliver the findings for the above allegations. This is a continuation of the investigation initiated on 03/13/2024. Upon arrival, LPA met with Director Magali Mesina. Director guided LPA on a walkthrough of the facility. At 2:30 PM LPA observed a total of 20 preschool children with 5 staff.

A review of staff records on this date indicated that all facility staff or other individuals who required caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions.

The Department received a complaint on 03/07/2024 alleging (1) staff handled child in a rough manner and (2) staff spoke inappropriately to child in care.
(continue to page 2)
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Judy Hanson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Giselle Lucero
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024
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 5
Control Number 06-CC-20240307152702
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: CATALYST KIDS-TRIDENT
FACILITY NUMBER: 304370213
VISIT DATE: 05/10/2024
NARRATIVE
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(Page 2)
Reporting Party (RP) stated that Staff #2 (S2) forcefully grabbed Child #5 (C5) while C5 was crying and staff then told S2 to release C5 because the child did not like it and S2 refused and stated, "they need to get used to it" and then proceeded to force the child to wash their hands while holding them. RP also reported observing S2 tell a child that was bitten by another child "that's what you get for bothering them" instead of addressing the biting.

LPA was unable to interview the RP for further information as RP did not leave contact information.

During the investigation, LPA Lucero interviewed 8 staff, 6 parents and reviewed the facility roster.

LPA attempted to interview children: however, children were unable to be interviewed due to their age.

During staff interviews on 03/13/2024, Staff #1 (S1) stated observing staff grabbing the children only to try to comfort them but not grabbing them in a forceful way. S1 disclosed having observed S2 telling a child, “That’s what you get for bothering them” after a child was bitten by another child. S1 disclosed observing S2 trying to hug or hold a child even after the child will say no and S2 usually doesn’t stop until the child runs to another staff.

S2 denied ever violating or observing another staff violate a child’s personal rights. S2 stated whenever there is a child with challenging behaviors, the director is called for assistants. S2 stated they handle a child with challenging behaviors by giving the child space to calm down and then staff will approach the child to talk.

Staff #3 (S3) denied ever observing a staff violate a child’s personal rights. S3 stated there was an incident where child #1(C1) was unable to put on their sweater to go outside for playtime. S2 was trying to extend a helping hand to C1 but S2 approached C1 when they were already upset and C1 was not in a responsive state for redirection. S2 was asked to give C1 their space because S2 was upsetting C1 more by offering them help. S3 was able to step in to assist and told staff to take the rest of the children outside. S3 denied ever observing a staff tell a child that was bitten by another child "that's what you get for bothering them".

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Judy Hanson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Giselle Lucero
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 06-CC-20240307152702
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: CATALYST KIDS-TRIDENT
FACILITY NUMBER: 304370213
VISIT DATE: 05/10/2024
NARRATIVE
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(Page 3)
Staff #4 (S4) disclosed Child #2 (C2) is a child with challenging behaviors and expressed that moving through transitions is hard for C2. S4 disclosed overhearing S1 telling C2, “I need you to come back or I am going to have you sit with me or I am going to make you sit with me." S4 also disclosed observing Staff #8 (S8) grabbing C2’s wrist and C2 will throw themself on the floor and S8 will continue to hold on to C2’s wrist and tells C2 to get up. S4 also stated there was a time where Child #4 (C4), who had just transferred to the classroom and still needs help with the transitions, took a toy from the ”Play House Area” to a table where S8 was sitting at to show S8 the toy, and instead of interacting with C4, S8 scolded C4 saying, " you know better, that needs to go over there”. S4 disclosed a time when they were outside, C2 was climbing on tables and running around, and S2 grabbed C2 and held them by their stomach and C2 will attempt to get away from S2 but S2 will continue to hold C2. S4 also reported another incident where S2 was holding C4 and C4 was kicking S2 to get S2 off of them and S2 told C4, “no you need to get use to me holding you".

Staff #5 (S5) and Staff #6 (S6) denied observing a staff violate a child personal rights and denied ever observing a staff tell a child that was bitten by another child "that's what you get for bothering them".

Staff #7 (S7) stated they have observed C1 always telling S2 “no” and tries to push S2 away, but S2 felt like the reason for C1 doing that was because they did not know them, when in reality C1 did not like being touched by staff. S7 stated there was an incident where C1 was very upset because they could not put on their sweater and S2 was asked to leave C1 alone because the Director was already on her way to assist the situation and S2’s response was, "they can't be throwing tantrums" and continued to grab C1 and then started playing tug of war with C1’s sweater. S7 also disclosed a time where C3 bit C2 and S2 told C2, "oh well that's what you get for bothering them, that is why you don't take toys away, it is your fault".

S8 denied ever violating or observing another staff violate a child’s personal rights. S8 also denied ever observing a staff tell a child that was bitten by another child "that's what you get for bothering them". S8 stated if there is a biting incident, they talk to the child, attend and clean the child that was bit.

LPA Lucero interviewed 6 parents. Parents interviewed made no disclosures.

(Continue to page 4)
SUPERVISORS NAME: Judy Hanson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Giselle Lucero
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 06-CC-20240307152702
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: CATALYST KIDS-TRIDENT
FACILITY NUMBER: 304370213
VISIT DATE: 05/10/2024
NARRATIVE
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(Page 4)
Based on LPA’s staff interviews, it has been determined (1) staff handle children in a rough manner and (2) staff speak inappropriately to children in care. Therefore, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be Substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, 101223 (a)(3) Personal Rights is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.

LPA Giselle Lucero informed Director Magali Mesina, that this report dated 05/10/2024 documents 1 Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is/are immediate risk(s) to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA Giselle Lucero informed Director Magali Mesina, to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 05/10/2024 that documents any Type A citation to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director Magali Mesina. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.

Appeal Rights were explained. The Director was provided a copy of appeal rights (LIC 9058 01/16) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. All appeals must be in writing and received by the Regional Office within 15 business days. First level appeals should be sent to the regional manager to the address listed above.

End of Report.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Judy Hanson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Giselle Lucero
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 06-CC-20240307152702
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: CATALYST KIDS-TRIDENT
FACILITY NUMBER: 304370213
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 05/10/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
05/10/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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101223 Personal Rights (a)(3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat,... This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on staff interviews it has been determined staff handled child in a rough manner and spoke...
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Director stated they will be having a meeting with all staff to give reminders, a copy of the agenda and staff sign in signatures will be provided to LPA.

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inappropriately to children in care. This poses an immediate risk to the health of the 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: Judy Hanson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Giselle Lucero
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/10/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5