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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 496803583
Report Date: 12/17/2024
Date Signed: 12/17/2024 09:17:24 AM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
11/18/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Marisol Cuadra
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 21-AS-20241118090716
FACILITY NAME:ALCHEMIAFACILITY NUMBER:
496803583
ADMINISTRATOR:LIZ JAHRENFACILITY TYPE:
775
ADDRESS:394 TESCONI COURTTELEPHONE:
(707) 978-3229
CITY:SANTA ROSASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95401
CAPACITY:45CENSUS: 45DATE:
12/17/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:48 AM
MET WITH:Liz Jahren (Administrator)TIME COMPLETED:
09:32 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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-Staff handled client in a rough manner.
-Staff yelled at client.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst Cuadra arrived unannounced to conduct a complaint investigation and deliver findings regarding the above allegations and met with Dave Lear staff. Administrator Liz Jahren was available by phone and gave authorization to staff to sign the report.
The Department received an allegation of staff handled client in a rough manner. Per Reporting party, staff (S1) squeezed one of participant’s (P1) arms, P1 is refusing to go to day program due to the alleged incident and refers to S1 as the “Monster of Alchemia”, no longer wants to attend the program and is now scared, anxious and sad. P1 has repeatedly stated in writing, and verbally the same details to various individuals including their speech therapist, and their tutor. According to reporting party, P1 indicated that S1 is “very mean” and that “S1 squeezed hard” and demonstrated how S1 squeezed their arm, but there were any marks or injuries noticed. Based on records review, the facility submitted an incident report on 11/12/24 late reporting CCL the following: “on October 24, P1’s responsible party requested to talk to Artist Coordinator to report that P1 had told them that S1 was mean to P1 and P1 didn't want to be in their class anymore because S1 was mad at the class. Continued on LIC9099C...
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Bethany Moellers
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Marisol Cuadra
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/17/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/17/2024
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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Control Number 21-AS-20241118090716
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: ALCHEMIA
FACILITY NUMBER: 496803583
VISIT DATE: 12/17/2024
NARRATIVE
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Continued from LIC9099...On October 28, P1, their responsible party and Artist Coordinator met at Alchemia to review their concerns. In the meeting, P1 told Artist Coordinator, Mean. Fine. Cry. Don't cry. The facility conducted an internal investigation, P1 was removed from S1’s class, verbal statements were obtained from other three participants (P1-P3) and staff (S1-S4) who were present in class on the day of the reported incident, which they didn’t appear to witness any yelling or abuse at the class. S1 reported to Artist Coordinator that P1 appeared upset and was crying at lunch when they were FaceTiming with their responsible party, S1 asked P1 if they were OK, and S1 thought that P1's emotionality might have been related to any other issue. There was a consensus obtained from statements that on the day of the reported incident, S1 was working in a common area, where artists and mentors pass freely. On the morning of 11/11/24, Alchemia received and email reporting that P1 had told their comprehension and writing tutor that S1 had squeezed their arm hard and did not want to work with S1. On 11/19/24, the facility forwarded to CCL staff training records including abuse prevention and reporting policy. On 11/18/24, LPA received written communication from reporting party, lead reading specialist, confirming above information was disclosed to them during their meetings. Per Lead Reading Specialist written statement, “on 11/7/24, they have verified P1’s statements several times to ensure that there was no misunderstanding, and it appears thar the incident may have been related to a fidget toy”. Per Speech-Language therapist written statement, “on 11/12/24 during their meeting with P1, they were observed anxious as evidenced by shaky breathing, fidgeting, closed body language, and comfort seeking in animations. P1 primarily answered questions about the incident utilizing writing as this is an area of their strength in expressive language compared to their verbal language and wrote S1’s name when they were asked who squeezed their arm”. A copy of the written paper was submitted to CCL. LPA learned based on conflicting information obtained from interviews not enough information to support the allegation of staff handled client in a rough manner. A finding that the complaint allegation occurs of staff handled client in a rough manner is 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 allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. Regarding allegation of staff yelled at client. According to reporting party, on 10/23/24 P1 was crying stating that S1 was mad, angry with them, but P1 did not specify what S1 yelled at P1 about. P1 does not have a history of making accusations, they have been clear and consistent when describing the incident to various individuals including P1’s therapist. On 11/18/24, LPA received written communication from reporting party confirming the above information. Based on LPA’s interviews conducted with staff (S1-S4) and participants (P1-P3) no information was provided that any staff is yelling at participants in care. No information of any yelling other than some participants whose usual behavior is to speak loudly when they attend to day program. The above allegation could not be determined based on interviews and information provided during investigation. A finding that the complaint allegation of staff yelled at client is 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 allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Bethany Moellers
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Marisol Cuadra
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/17/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/17/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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