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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 374604207
Report Date: 01/31/2023
Date Signed: 01/31/2023 12:14:09 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, 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
04/09/2020 and conducted by Evaluator Dawn Segura
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 08-AS-20200409162645
FACILITY NAME:LIBERTY HARMONYFACILITY NUMBER:
374604207
ADMINISTRATOR:DEGNER, TAMARAFACILITY TYPE:
737
ADDRESS:2915 DUCK POND LANETELEPHONE:
(760) 975-7176
CITY:RAMONASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92065
CAPACITY:4CENSUS: 4DATE:
01/31/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:45 AM
MET WITH:Cruz Mora, Lead BSPTIME COMPLETED:
12:20 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility staff does not protect clients from harm.

Client is left in soiled clothing for an extended period of time.

Clients are not being treated equally while in care.

Client is not compatible with other clients in care.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Dawn Segura conducted a visit to conclude a complaint investigation. LPA was granted entry into the facility and met with Cruz Mora, Lead BSP, to whom she disclosed the purpose of the visit.

Community Care Licensing (CCL) has investigated the above listed complaint allegations. The investigation consisted of a review of facility records and interviews with staff.

It was reported to CCL that clients are not protected from harm while in the care of facility staff. It was alleged that after Client 1 (C1) moved into the home, Client 2 (C2) and Client 3 (C3) were subjected to aggression and verbal abuse from C1. Interviews conducted during the investigation revealed that C1 displayed aggression toward and was verbally abusive to C2 and C3 when admitted to the facility. Interviews further yielded that C1 was not accustomed to living in a small home-like setting, with only 2 other clients, like the Harmony home provided, and C1 enjoyed being the focus of attention. The investigation did not yield
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion: 0
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lizzette Tellez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dawn Segura
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/31/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/31/2023
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-20200409162645
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: LIBERTY HARMONY
FACILITY NUMBER: 374604207
VISIT DATE: 01/31/2023
NARRATIVE
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sufficient evidence to conclude that staff did not put forth effort to protect C2 and C3 from C1’s aggression. The evidence indicated that staff put forth measures and made attempts to redirect C1 and to reassure and shield C2 and C3 from aggression and intrusion.

It was also alleged that Client 4 (C4) often yelled repeatedly inside and outside of the home, and staff did not take measures to address or protect C4. It was reported that C4 would repeatedly scream or cry out “no,” “stop,” and “help” in a blood curdling manner, and it was unclear whether C4’s screams were in response to harm. A review of records obtained during the investigation indicates that C4 has diagnoses of autism spectrum and schizoaffective disorders and has limited communication. In addition, C4 moved into the home during the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a disruption in C4’s schedule and prevented participation in school and/or programs that provided consistency and familiarity for C4. Records reviewed reflected that clear directions of ways in which to respond to C4’s outbursts had been developed and were included in care plans maintained in the home. Interviews conducted during the investigation yielded that outbursts from C4 were not uncommon; however, the outbursts were not in response to any harm being done to or inflicted upon C4. Interviews further revealed that staff followed the directions in C4’s service plans, which were developed in consultation with behavioral consultants, when responding to or addressing C4’s outbursts. The investigation did not yield evidence to conclude that C4 was subjected to harm while in care or that staff did not address C4’s outbursts.

The second allegation is that C2 was left in soiled clothing for an extended period of time. A review of records maintained by the facility, reflected that C2 has a documented history of urinary incontinence. Interviews revealed that C2 often urinated while in bed, and there were plans in place for staff to prompt C2 to get up and use the restroom. Interviews further revealed that C2 often stayed in bed late into the day, despite staff promptings. LPA was also informed that, at times, C2 would demonstrate physical and/or verbal aggression toward staff, if overly prompted. Information obtained during the investigation indicates that staff made attempts, through ongoing prompting, to get C2 out of bed to prevent episodes of urinary incontinence. It was determined from information gathered during the investigation that C2, who, according to his/her Individual Behavior Support Plan, is able to advocate for her/himself, would exercise her/his right in refusing to get out of bed before and after episodes of urinary incontinence. The investigation did not yield evidence to conclude that C2 was left in soiled clothing for extended periods of time because of lack of action on the part of facility staff, but that C2 exercised their personal right and chose to remain wet, in spite of attempts and efforts to convince C2 to do otherwise.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lizzette Tellez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dawn Segura
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/31/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/31/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 08-AS-20200409162645
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: LIBERTY HARMONY
FACILITY NUMBER: 374604207
VISIT DATE: 01/31/2023
NARRATIVE
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The third allegation is that clients were not treated equally while in care. It was reported that staff were devoting more time to C1 than was being devoted to C2 and C3. Evidence gathered during the investigation indicated that individual plans were developed for each of the clients in care. Considering that each client has a plan that is individually tailored, the amount of time and attention that was to be devoted to each client varied in accordance with the individual needs of the client, which could be impacted by behavioral challenges and a client’s adjustment to the home and home-like environment. Records reviewed indicated that C1 was admitted into the home at the end of 2019 from a secured developmental center. A review of C1’s Individual Support Plan completed shortly after admission reflected that C1 was settling into the home and forming relationships and establishing rapport with facility staff. The plan also reflected that interacting with familiar staff was important to C1. The investigation reflected that staff time and resources were allocated based upon client needs, which could vary based upon client behaviors or other factors. The investigation did not yield sufficient evidence to conclude that C1 was provided preferential treatment over C2 and C3.

The fourth allegation was that client was not compatible with clients in care. Records reviewed during the investigation reflected that C2 and C3 resided in the home prior to C1’s arrival. It was determined during the investigation that after C1’s admission into the facility, the dynamics of the home changed, and C1’s presence in the home presented a challenge for C2 and C3. Interviews yielded sufficient information to determine that moving into the home with C2 and C3 proved to be challenging for C1, as well, as C1 relocated from an environment that did not provide a small, home-like setting. Interviews also yielded that C1 often taunted C2 and C3 and contributed to a challenging environment. However, the investigation did not yield sufficient evidence to determine whether C1’s interactions with C2 and C3 were the result of 3 clients with very distinct personalities adjusting to living in an intimate, shared environment that was different and unfamiliar or the result of a lack of compatibility.

Considering the foregoing, the allegations listed above are unsubstantiated. This finding means that although the allegations may have happened or may be valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violations occurred.

An exit interview was conducted with Cruz Mora, and copies of this report and Licensee Rights (LIC 9058) were provided to him at the conclusion of the visit. His signature below confirms receipt of copies of this report and Licensee Rights.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lizzette Tellez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dawn Segura
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/31/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/31/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3