<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 401703246
Report Date: 03/02/2023
Date Signed: 03/02/2023 11:14:48 AM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 21731 VENTURA BLVD. #250
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/27/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Darlene Chavez
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 29-AS-20230227151625
FACILITY NAME:ESCUELA DEL RIO - TOWARD INDEPENDENCE PROGRAMFACILITY NUMBER:
401703246
ADMINISTRATOR:DEBORAH ARGANOFACILITY TYPE:
775
ADDRESS:1205 EL CAMINO REALTELEPHONE:
(805) 466-7032
CITY:ATASCADEROSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93422
CAPACITY:30CENSUS: 30DATE:
03/02/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:03 AM
MET WITH:Debbie Argano, Administrator, and Julia Renzaglia, Program DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
11:30 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Facility not providing a safe environment for clients.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
On 3/2/23 at 10:03 am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Darlene Chavez conducted an unannounced initial visit for this complaint. LPA met with Debbie Argano, Executive Director/Administrator, and Julia Renzaglia, Program Director, and explained the purpose of the visit. LPA was accompanied by Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC) Quality Assurance Specialist (QAS).

On the allegation, “Facility not providing a safe environment for clients,” the complainant’s concern was that staff did not provide a safe environment for clients.

LPA Chavez started this investigation on 2/9/2023 on a Case Management visit after receiving an incident report from the facility on 2/6/2023. LPA interviewed Administrator, staff, clients, and witnesses from 10:48am to 3:25pm, and requested documentation. LPA conducted a subsequent Case Management visit on 2/10/2023 and conducted additional interviews of clients and staff.
Continuted on 9099-C.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Kelly Burley
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Darlene Chavez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/02/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/02/2023
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 29-AS-20230227151625
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 21731 VENTURA BLVD. #250
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364
FACILITY NAME: ESCUELA DEL RIO - TOWARD INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM
FACILITY NUMBER: 401703246
VISIT DATE: 03/02/2023
NARRATIVE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
On 1/27/2023, during an outing at a restaurant, Client 1 (C1) informed staff that Client 2 (C2) followed C1 into the girl’s bathroom and tried to kiss C1, and tried to lick C1’s face. C1 told C2 to get out of the bathroom, and C2 exited. C1 later changed their story to include C2 inappropriately touched C1; however, witnesses interviewed indicate C1 has short-term memory problems and it was unusual for C1 to not mention it to anyone at the time but then mention it days later.

Through review of the staff schedule and interviews, LPA discovered there were 20 clients on the outing and 3 staff. LPA reviewed C1 and C2’s physician’s report and service plans. Records indicate both clients need supervision, but neither have a 1 on 1 staff. Tri-Counties Regional Center confirmed the ratio for this program is 6 clients to 1 staff. During the outing, the facility was out of ratio and did not provide adequate supervision to the clients, resulting in C2, a male client, entering the female bathroom and violating C1’s personal rights.

After the case management visit, the Program Director reviewed their processes for providing supervision to clients on outings to ensure they are in ratio and provide adequate supervision to clients.

Based on the information obtained, the allegation “Facility not providing a safe environment for clients” is deemed Substantiated at this time, as a lack of supervision led to C2 violating C1’s personal rights.

Exit interview conducted, deficiency cited, and the report and appeal rights given to the Administrator and Program Director.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Kelly Burley
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Darlene Chavez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/02/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/02/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 29-AS-20230227151625
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 21731 VENTURA BLVD. #250
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364

FACILITY NAME: ESCUELA DEL RIO - TOWARD INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM
FACILITY NUMBER: 401703246
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 03/02/2023
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
03/03/2023
Section Cited
CCR
82065.5(a)(1)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
82065.5(a)(1) Staff-Client Ratio
For Regional Center clients, staffing shall be maintained as specified by the Regional Center.
This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Based on interviews and record review, the licensee did not comply with the above cited section when inadequate staffing and supervision were provided for the outing, which posed an immediate health and safety risk to clients in care.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Based on interviews and record review, the licensee did not comply with the above cited section when inadequate staffing and supervision were provided for the outing, which posed an immediate health and safety risk to clients in care.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
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: Kelly Burley
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Darlene Chavez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/02/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/02/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3