561703573-4-7-2025-29-AS-KHEN-DG87WR-20250429220159

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 561703573
Report Date: 04/04/2025
Date Signed: 04/07/2025 08:23:03 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
WOODLAND HILLS N.ASC, 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
08/09/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Teresa Camara

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 29-AS-20240809141502

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: 50	DATE:	04/04/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	01:28 PM
MET WITH:	Julie Anos		TIME COMPLETED:	04:35 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff verbally abuses and threatens residents.
Staff do not provide adequate amount of food to residents.
Staff did not prevent drug activity on the premises.
Resident is being utilized as staff.
Licensee is financially abusing residents.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Teresa Camara conducted a subsequent complaint investigation visit regarding the above noted allegations. LPA initially met with facility staff Neil Cotton and later met with the acting administrator Julie Anos. LPA explained the reason for the visit. LPA started interviews at 1:30 p.m. LPA interviewed five staff and five residents. LPA reviewed P&I monies at 3:40 p.m.

Regarding the allegation staff do not provide an adequate amount of food to residents:
Staff stated residents are served three meals and three snacks a day. Residents can request second servings if they are still hungry after their initial serving. They also have a refrigerator where residents can store their own food. Residents confirmed they get three meals and three snacks per day. They can ask for seconds if they are still hungry. They can also request other options if they don't like what is being served. Based on these interviews this allegation is deemed UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time.

(continued on LIC9099C)

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Desaree Perera	TELEPHONE: (818) 593-4347
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Teresa Camara	TELEPHONE: 818-326-4019
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/04/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/04/2025

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-20240809141502

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

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

FACILITY NAME: ELMS RESIDENTIAL CARE	FACILITY NUMBER: 561703573
	VISIT DATE: 04/04/2025

NARRATIVE

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(continued from LIC9099)

Regarding the allegation staff verbally abuses and threatens residents:
All staff interviewed stated they had never witnessed staff threatening or yelling at residents. Staff stated if a resident is having a behavioral episode voices may be raised to get their attention but never in an aggressive or threatening manner. All of the residents stated they have never witnessed staff yell or threaten residents. Residents stated staff are "friendly", "polite", "nice", "very kind", and treat residents well. Based on interviews this allegation is deemed UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time.

Regarding the allegation staff do not prevent drug activity on the premises.
Staff stated they have a couple residents who have been witnessed smoking marijuana. One resident has been counseled that they are breaking house rules by smoking marijuana on the premises, especially inside their room. They have been issued a 30 day eviction notice, however the resident is currently in the hospital so they have not moved out. Staff stated they have suspicions about a couple residents using drugs but they have not personally witnessed them using drugs. One resident stated they smelled marijuana outside but did not witness who was smoking it. None of the residents witnessed any drug dealers on the premises. Based on interviews, this allegation is deemed UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time.

Regarding the allegation a resident is being utilized as staff:
Staff stated none of the residents are used as staff, however the facility offers an incentive program residents can sign up for where they perform certain chores such as sweeping, setting the table, serving food, helping with laundry, taking out trash, bussing tables, and washing dishes. It is a voluntary program and residents can make money doing these chores; they are paid weekly depending on the number of days they volunteer and the activity they perform. Residents stated they have never witnessed other residents acting as staff. Some of the residents interviewed participate in the incentive program and confirmed they get paid weekly for the chores they perform. One resident who takes the trash out daily stated they used to do that under the prior administrator but did not get paid. That resident chose to take out the trash because they were collecting recyclables to turn in for cash. Based on interviews, this allegation is deemed UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time.

(continued on LIC9099C)

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Desaree Perera	TELEPHONE: (818) 593-4347
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Teresa Camara	TELEPHONE: 818-326-4019
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/04/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/04/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 29-AS-20240809141502

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

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

FACILITY NAME: ELMS RESIDENTIAL CARE	FACILITY NUMBER: 561703573
	VISIT DATE: 04/04/2025

NARRATIVE

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(continued from LIC9099C)

Regarding the allegation licensee is financially abusing residents.
Staff stated they hold P&I money for five residents. LPA reviewed the P&I monies and all money was accounted for. Staff stated when they receive checks for residents they let the residents know and they have a list where the residents sign when they receive the check in their hands. Most residents do not have bank accounts so staff drives them to one of two nearby check cashing locations so they can cash their checks. Most residents hold on to their own cash. Residents interviewed stated they hold on to their own cash and have never heard any complaints of staff taking money from residents. Based on interviews and records reviewed this allegation is deemed UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time.

No deficiencies observed. Exit interview conducted and report issued.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Desaree Perera	TELEPHONE: (818) 593-4347
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Teresa Camara	TELEPHONE: 818-326-4019
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/04/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/04/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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