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13 | Enforcement Analyst (EA), Ramsey Chimienti, with the Home Care Services Branch (HCSB), conducted an on-site inspection for the purpose of a complaint investigation. EA Chimienti arrived at the business address for Innovative Care, and was greeted by the Licensee, Douglas Crocker. The analyst explained that he was there to conduct a complaint investigation regarding the above allegations and listed documents that will need to be made available in order to complete the investigation. The requested documents included payroll reports for May 2025 to current, Quarterly DE9 Tax reporting document for April – June 2025, and a list of all current employees. The documents that were provided from the Licensee demonstrated multiple individuals who worked shifts without being registered on the Home Care Aide Registry and/or working without fingerprint clearance from the Department. Additionally, 1099 contractors had been used to fulfill caregiving shifts. Based on Analyst’s observations, interview, and evidence collected, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore, the above allegations are found to be SUBSTANTIATED. Health and Safety Code, Division 2, Chapter 13, Article 7, Sections 1796.43(a) and 1796.23 (a) are being cited on the attached HCS 9099D report. Analyst Chimienti concluded the visit with an exit interview and provided a copy of the HCS 9099 and 9099D investigation reports along with appeal rights. |
| Substantiated | Estimated Days of Completion: |
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Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number | DEFICIENCIES | PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs) |
Type A
09/18/2025
Section Cited
1796.23 (a) | 1
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7 | Health and Safety Code § 1796.23 (a) Each person initiating a background examination to be a registered home care aide shall submit his or her fingerprints to the Department of Justice by electronic transmission in a manner approved by the department, unless exempt under subdivision (d). Criminal ... | 1
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7 | The Licensee acknowledges that fingerprint clearance from the Department in the form of either a screen capture from the Home Care Aide Registry Search site, a copy of the registration/exemption approval letter from the Department, or a copy of the personnel roster from Guardian showing... |
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14 | Background Clearance and/or Exemption approval was not obtained for multiple caregivers on staff. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to clients in care. | 8
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14 | “Eligible-Clearance” must be documented for all caregivers prior to contact with clients in order to satisfy this requirement. The licensee will produce a typed acknowledgement of this requirement and email to Ramsey.Chimienti@dss.ca.gov by 9/18/2025. In addition, the licensee will ensure that all employees without final fingerprint clearance must be immediately removed from shifts with clients until this requirement is met. |
Type B
09/18/2025
Section Cited
1796.37 (a)(5) | 1
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7 | Health and Safety Code § 1796.37 (a), (5) …requirements set forth in this chapter, including all of the following…Provides the department, upon request, with a complete list of its affiliated home care aides, and proof that each satisfies the requirements of Sections 1796.43, 1796.44, and 1796.45. ... | 1
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7 | Licensee will submit to the EA Analyst, Ramsey Chimienti, proof of conversion of any 1099 independent contractors to W2 Home Care Aides which includes: Registry on the Home Care Aide Registry, TB clearance, Mandated Reporting, and documentation of required training. The licensee will produce a ... |
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14 | The HCO has utilized multiple independent contractors in the past as caregivers which poses a potential health and safety risk to clients in care. | 8
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14 | typed acknowledgement of this requirement and email to Ramsey.Chimienti@dss.ca.gov by 9/18/2025. In addition, the licensee will ensure that all employees without W2 employee classification must be immediately removed from shifts with clients until this and all licensing requirements are met. |