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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 455920054
Report Date: 02/18/2025
Date Signed: 02/18/2025 03:53:03 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO NORTH ASC, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
01/17/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Farhaan Sarangi
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 59-AS-20250117143146
FACILITY NAME:MERAKEY - OLD ALTURASFACILITY NUMBER:
455920054
ADMINISTRATOR:BATES, DAMEYAFACILITY TYPE:
735
ADDRESS:20785 OLD ALTURAS ROADTELEPHONE:
(530) 222-5633
CITY:REDDINGSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
96003
CAPACITY:5CENSUS: 5DATE:
02/18/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:00 PM
MET WITH:Interim Administrator, Jessica BoarmanTIME COMPLETED:
04:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff is mismanaging residents’ money.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On February 18, 2025 at approximately 03:00 PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Farhaan Sarangi arrived unannounced at Merakey - Old Alturas for the purpose of delivering complaint findings. LPA met with Interim Administrator, Jessica Boarman.

During the course of the investigation, LPA conducted interviews with staff and a client in care. In addition, LPA reviewed resident records which included the ledger for Client #1 and conducted a tour of the facility on January 23, 2025.

Complaint alleges that Staff is mismanaging residents' money. Based on interviews that were conducted and a review of Client #1's ledger, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. LPA conducted an interview with the Long Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) and learned of similar concerns surrounding residents' money. During the opening of the complaint on January 23, 2025, LPA reviewed Client #1's ledger (Report continued on LIC 9099C)
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lauren Crocker
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Farhaan Sarangi
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/18/2025
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 5
Control Number 59-AS-20250117143146
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO NORTH ASC, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
FACILITY NAME: MERAKEY - OLD ALTURAS
FACILITY NUMBER: 455920054
VISIT DATE: 02/18/2025
NARRATIVE
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and learned that there is evidence of commingling of client cash resources due to the staff taking money out of the client ledger for unknown purposes (See LIC 9099D). LPA educated the Administrator on the importance of ensuring that all client and cash resources are not commingled with staff funds or facility funds.

Deficiencies cited from the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 6 of California Regulation. Appeal rights were provided. Failure to correct the deficiency and/or repeat deficiencies within a 12-month period may result in civil penalties. Exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was signed and given to the Interim Administrator along with Appeal Rights.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lauren Crocker
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Farhaan Sarangi
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/18/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO NORTH ASC, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
01/17/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Farhaan Sarangi
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 59-AS-20250117143146

FACILITY NAME:MERAKEY - OLD ALTURASFACILITY NUMBER:
455920054
ADMINISTRATOR:BATES, DAMEYAFACILITY TYPE:
735
ADDRESS:20785 OLD ALTURAS ROADTELEPHONE:
(530) 222-5633
CITY:REDDINGSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
96003
CAPACITY:5CENSUS: 5DATE:
02/18/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:00 PM
MET WITH:Interim Administrator, Jessica BoarmanTIME COMPLETED:
04:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff did not keep records.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On February 18, 2025 at approximately 03:00 PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Farhaan Sarangi arrived unannounced at Merakey - Old Alturas for the purpose of delivering complaint findings. LPA met with Interim Administrator, Jessica Boarman.

During the course of the investigation, LPA conducted interviews with staff and a client in care. In addition, LPA reviewed resident records which included the ledger for Client #1 and conducted a tour of the facility on January 23, 2025.

Complaint alleges that Staff did not keep records. Based on interviews that were conducted and resident records reviewed, LPA received inconsistent statements as it relates to the allegation. Furthermore, during the opening of the complaint on January 23, 2025, LPA requested the client ledger and was forwarded an email of the client ledger by a staff member. LPA could not corroborate the allegation. (Report continued on LIC 9099C)
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lauren Crocker
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Farhaan Sarangi
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/18/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 59-AS-20250117143146
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO NORTH ASC, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
FACILITY NAME: MERAKEY - OLD ALTURAS
FACILITY NUMBER: 455920054
VISIT DATE: 02/18/2025
NARRATIVE
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A finding that the complaint allegations of Staff did not keep records are unsubstantiated meaning that although the allegations may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED. Exit interview was conducted and a copy of this was report was signed and given to the Interim Administrator.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lauren Crocker
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Farhaan Sarangi
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/18/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 59-AS-20250117143146
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO NORTH ASC, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: MERAKEY - OLD ALTURAS
FACILITY NUMBER: 455920054
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 02/18/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
02/25/2025
Section Cited
CCR
80026(e)
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80026(e) Safeguards for Cash Resources, Personal Property, and Valuables of Residents:
(e) Cash resources, personal property, and valuables of clients shall be separate and intact, and shall not be commingled with facility funds or petty cash.

This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Administrator shall submit an LIC 9098-Self Certification regarding the importance of ensuring that clients are receiving client cash resources in the facility. In addition, Administrator/Licensee shall submit a plan for future compliance as well as conduct staff training.
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Based on interviews that were conducted and a review of the client ledger, there is evidence of commingling of client cash resources due to the staff taking money out of the client ledger for unknown purposes which presents a potential health, safety, and personal rights risk to the clients in care.
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POC due date February 25, 2025.
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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: Lauren Crocker
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Farhaan Sarangi
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/18/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5