561703573-7-20-2023-29-AS-DPEA-CUA28N-20230731171038

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 561703573
Report Date: 07/20/2023
Date Signed: 07/20/2023 12:19:22 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
WOODLAND HILLS NORTH, 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
07/12/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Esther Cortez

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 29-AS-20230712152744

FACILITY NAME:	ELMS RESIDENTIAL CARE		FACILITY NUMBER:	561703573
ADMINISTRATOR:	HIGGINS, FE LILIA 98		FACILITY TYPE:	740
ADDRESS:	67 EAST BARNETT		TELEPHONE:	(805) 643-2176
CITY:	VENTURA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	93001
CAPACITY:	54	CENSUS: 43	DATE:	07/20/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	07:45 AM
MET WITH:	Fe Higgins		TIME COMPLETED:	12:30 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Insufficient staffing to met residents care needs
Residents are used as substitutes for required staff
Facility staff intimidate and retaliate against resident

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Esther Cortez conducted a 10-Day initial complaint visit to the facility at 7:45a.m. The administrator and four (4) staff were present when the LPA arrived. The LPA was greeted by Administrator Fe Higgins and the reason for the visit was explained.

The LPA toured the physical plant with administrator Fe, and obtained pertinent documents between 8:10 a.m. and 8:25 a.m., interviewed five (5) randomly chosen residents, four (4) staff between 08:30 a.m. and 09:30 a.m., had one phone interview at 10:04 a.m., and interviewed the administrator throughout the visit.

Regarding the allegation Insufficient staffing to meet residents care needs: All of the residents interviewed stated there is sufficient staffing to meet their needs. They also indicated that they are independent and don’t need assistance from staff. In addition, resident interviews indicated that even if staff call in sick, there is always staff and/or the administrator at the facility to assist them.
Report will continue on LIC9099-C.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Desaree Perera	TELEPHONE: (818) 596-4347
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Esther Cortez	TELEPHONE: (747) 230-2225
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/20/2023

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/20/2023

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 29-AS-20230712152744

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
WOODLAND HILLS NORTH, 21731 VENTURA BLVD. #250
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364

FACILITY NAME: ELMS RESIDENTIAL CARE	FACILITY NUMBER: 561703573
	VISIT DATE: 07/20/2023

NARRATIVE

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Staff Interviews revealed that staff ensure residents are fed, wash residents’ laundry, clean and give residents their medications. Administrator indicated that even though there is sufficient staff at the facility to meet the resident care needs there are approximately four residents that receive additional grooming assistance by their Ventura County Case Manager due to residents refusing staffs assistance. Based on interviews with residents and staff, the allegation Insufficient staffing to meet residents care needs is deemed unsubstantiated at this time.

Regarding the allegation Residents are used as substitutes for required staff: Both residents and staff interviews revealed that residents volunteer to help with certain household duties such as sweeping, taking out trash bins, and poring drinks because they enjoy it and like to help, not to substitute for required staff and do not help with kitchen duties such as meal preparation or cooking. The administrator indicated that residents often ask what they can help with, and that resident’s family members have asked her if residents can help at the facility in order to give them something to do. Resident Interviews also revealed that some residents don’t ask for permission and just start helping with certain duties such as sweeping and cleaning as it is their home. Based on interviews with residents and staff, the allegation Residents are used as substitutes for required staff is deemed unsubstantiated at this time.

Regarding the allegation Facility staff intimidate and retaliate against residents: All the residents interviewed stated that they do not feel intimidated by staff, have not been retaliated against and feel safe at the facility. Resident interviews also revealed that they are comfortable with bringing up concerns with staff, licensing or other resources posted at the facility if they were to arise. There were no concerns voiced during the visit. Resident interviews also revealed residents were comfortable speaking with me without fearing retaliation from the facility. Staff interviewed indicated that they have never intimidated or retaliated against residents for any reasons or seen other staff doing so. The administrator stated that she can be stern, and speak loudly, but not any different than how she is speaking with the LPA. Based on interviews with residents and staff, the allegation Facility intimidate and retaliate against residents is deemed unsubstantiated at this time.

No deficiencies observed. Exit interview conducted. A copy of the report was issued.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Desaree Perera	TELEPHONE: (818) 596-4347
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Esther Cortez	TELEPHONE: (747) 230-2225
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/20/2023

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/20/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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