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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 374604083
Report Date: 01/28/2026
Date Signed: 01/29/2026 01:00:36 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
12/19/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Amy Rodgers
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 08-AS-20251219105004
FACILITY NAME:MONTERA, THEFACILITY NUMBER:
374604083
ADMINISTRATOR:EMELY TURNERFACILITY TYPE:
740
ADDRESS:5740 LAKE MURRAY BLVDTELEPHONE:
(619) 832-2599
CITY:LA MESASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91942
CAPACITY:225CENSUS: DATE:
01/28/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:00 PM
MET WITH:Executive Director Karinna TopeteTIME COMPLETED:
01:45 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff did not follow proper rate increase procedures with residents in care
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On January 29, 2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Amy Rodgers conducted an unannounced visit to deliver complaint findings. LPA introduced herself and explained the purpose of the visit to Executive Director Karinna Topete.

On December 19, 2025, the Department received a complaint alleging that staff did not follow proper rate increase procedures with residents in care. More specifically, the complaint stated that the facility issued multiple rate increase letters without providing clear reasons or detailed descriptions of additional costs or services. The complaint further alleged that the letters referenced changes to care service levels and a new point system without indicating whether resident reassessments would be conducted.

(Continued on LIC9099)
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Simon Jacob
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Rodgers
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/29/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/29/2026
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 08-AS-20251219105004
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: MONTERA, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 374604083
VISIT DATE: 01/28/2026
NARRATIVE
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(Continued from LIC9099)

The investigation revealed that the facility issued a notice dated March 31, 2025, effective July 1, 2025, which provided approximately 92 days’ notice. This notice included the amount of the increase through a summary of care rates, stated reasons such as wage increases and staff training, and described general operating costs including utilities and supplies. This notice was found to be compliant with statutory and contractual requirements.

The facility also issued a notice dated October 2, 2025, effective January 1, 2026, which provided approximately 91 days’ notice. However, this notice did not include facility-specific reasons for the increase or a general description of additional costs. The notice focused on restructuring care levels and provided new rate tables but omitted the rationale for the increase. In November 2025, prior to the effective date, the facility issued a supplemental notice that included the missing details regarding reasons and cost descriptions. While this corrective action resolved the informational deficiency before the effective date, the original notice did not meet Titlle 22 requirements when issued.

Based on the evidence reviewed, the allegation that staff did not follow proper rate increase procedures with residents in care is substantiated. A deficiency is cited under Health and Safety Code section 1569.655(a).
(refer to attached LIC 9099-D). A Plan of Correction was jointly developed with the licensee staff.

An exit interview was conducted with Executive Director Topete, to whom a copy of this report, the LIC 9099-D and the Licensee/Appeal Rights (LIC9058 03/22) were provided..
SUPERVISORS NAME: Simon Jacob
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Rodgers
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/29/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/29/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 08-AS-20251219105004
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: MONTERA, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 374604083
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 01/28/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
01/19/2026
Section Cited
HSC
1569.655(a)
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HSC §1569.655(a): “…the licensee shall provide written notice to residents or representatives setting forth the amount of the increase and the reason or reasons for the increase…”Deficiency:This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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The facility’s Plan of Correction is accepted as the supplemental notice (november 2025) corrected the deficiency prior to the effective date.
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Based on record review, the licensee did not include a facility-specific reason for the rate increase or a general description of additional costs in the October 2, 2025 notice, as required by Health and Safety Code section 1569.655(a), for all residents in care, which posed a potential Personal Rights risk to persons in care.
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 The facility has agreed to ensure all future rate increase notices include the amount of the increase, the reason for the increase, and a general description of additional costs.
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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: Simon Jacob
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Rodgers
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/29/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/29/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3