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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 374600197
Report Date: 07/19/2021
Date Signed: 07/19/2021 04:56:29 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,
, CA
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
01/08/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Daniel Mena
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 08-CR-20210108162229
FACILITY NAME:NEW ALTERNATIVES, INC. #16FACILITY NUMBER:
374600197
ADMINISTRATOR:MATTHEW JAEGERFACILITY TYPE:
733
ADDRESS:TELEPHONE:
CITY:STATE: ZIP CODE:
CAPACITY:81CENSUS: 31DATE:
07/19/2021
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:23 PM
MET WITH:Shomari BondTIME COMPLETED:
01:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility staff made an unreasonable search of youth's personal belongings.
Facility staff is not allowing youth to make confidential calls.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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LPA Mena met with Assistant Program Director, Shomari Bond to discuss the investigative findings for the above stated allegations. An investigation was conducted by LPAs Gloria Meza and Daniel Mena regarding allegation. LPA Meza conducted an inspection to the Sort Term Residential Treatment Program (STRTP) on January 14, 2021 at 2:30pm. No immediate hazards observed. LPAs interviewed seven staff members (S1, S2, S4, S5, S6, S7 & S8), County Social Worker (CSW), as well as reviewed client and facility records.
Community Care Licensing received information on January 08, 2021 alleging that Facility Staff made an unreasonable search of youth’s personal belongings, as well as is not allowing youth to make confidential calls, more specifically that Client # 1 (C1) had her personal cellphone searched and confiscated without consent, and as a result is not allowed to make calls to County Social Worker and family. Information obtained did not corroborate the allegations with a preponderance of evidence. Confidential interviews denied that C1 had her cellphone searched without reason and without consent. According to confidential interviews, C1 voluntarily surrendered cellphone to staff and
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Natasha Dunlap
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Daniel Mena
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/19/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/19/2021
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 2
Control Number 08-CR-20210108162229
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office,
, CA
FACILITY NAME: NEW ALTERNATIVES, INC. #16
FACILITY NUMBER: 374600197
VISIT DATE: 07/19/2021
NARRATIVE
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provided the passcode to unlock it, after it was suspected by staff that C1 had been using personal cellphone to bring drugs into the facility. According to confidential information, after a search of C1’s cellphone was conducted it was confirmed that C1 had been using cellphone to purchase marijuana. Confidential interviews stated that C1’s cellphone was confiscated in accordance with prudent parenting standards, and it was not to be returned until C1’s discharge from the facility. LPA Mena spoke to C1’s County Social Worker who stated that they were aware of the incident and in agreement with facility’s plan of action regarding this matter. Confidential interviews also stated that C1 was always allowed to make confidential phone calls from the unit’s phone like any other client. While other confidential information obtained by Licensing Office stated that cellphone was confiscated and searched without C1’s consent, which prevented her from making and receiving confidential calls and messages. LPA Mena was unable to interview C1 regarding these allegations, due to C1 being unresponsive to LPA Mena’s requests to speak with C1.
Based on confidential interviews and information provided, the allegations that Facility staff made an unreasonable search of youth’s personal belongings, as well as is not allowing youth to make confidential calls, more specifically that Client # 1 (C1) had her personal cellphone searched and confiscated without consent, and as a result is not allowed to make calls to County Social Worker and family, may have occurred, however is not supported or proven by evidence. Therefore, the above allegations are unsubstantiated at this time.
Exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report was provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Natasha Dunlap
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Daniel Mena
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/19/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/19/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2