565801393-2-7-2024-29-AS-DPEA-D2URHV-20240227120254

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 565801393
Report Date: 02/07/2024
Date Signed: 02/07/2024 01:33:09 PM

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
05/11/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Esther Cortez

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 29-AS-20230511091829

FACILITY NAME:	GONZALES FAMILY HOME		FACILITY NUMBER:	565801393
ADMINISTRATOR:	VENIE G. GONZALES		FACILITY TYPE:	735
ADDRESS:	4450 BROWNING DRIVE		TELEPHONE:	(805) 488-2315
CITY:	OXNARD	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	93033
CAPACITY:	6	CENSUS: 5	DATE:	02/07/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	12:50 PM
MET WITH:	Venie G. Gonzales		TIME COMPLETED:	01:35 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Neglect/Lack of Care leading to Sexual Abuse: Client #1 (C1) alleged that two other clients sexually abused C1 while under the care and supervision of the facility.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Esther Cortez conducted a subsequent complaint visit to deliver findings for the above allegation. LPA met with Administrator Venie G. Gonzalez and explained the reason for the visit.
On 05/11/2023, the Department received a complaint regarding an allegation of sexual abuse. Client #1 (C1) alleged that Client #2 (C2) and Client #3 (C3) sexually abused C1 while under the care and supervision of the facility. C1 alleged that C2 and C3 forced C1 to perform oral sex. The complaint was referred to the Community Care Licensing (CCL) Investigations Branch (IB) and assigned to Investigator Laura Garcia.

Report will continue on LIC9099-C (2nd page).

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Kasandra Lopez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Esther Cortez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/07/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/07/2024

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 3

Control Number 29-AS-20230511091829

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: GONZALES FAMILY HOME	FACILITY NUMBER: 565801393
	VISIT DATE: 02/07/2024

NARRATIVE

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On 05/12/2023, from 12:10pm to 1:45pm, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) KaSandra Lopez conducted an unannounced initial complaint inspection at the facility regarding the above allegation. When LPA Lopez arrived, there were three staff and four clients present. The Co-Administrator Vanessa Garcia arrived at 12:30pm and was informed of the reason for the visit. During the inspection, the LPA conducted an interview with C2 at 12:12pm, toured the physical plant inside and out at 12:23pm, and conducted record review at 12:40pm. Copies of pertinent records were obtained. The LPA determined further investigation was needed and informed the Co-Administrator that the CCL IB Investigator Laura Garcia was assigned to the investigation. During the inspection, the LPA did not observe any immediate health or safety concerns.

On 06/12/2023, from approximately 10:30am to 1:00pm, Investigator Garcia conducted interviews with the Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC) Services Coordinator (SC), facility Administrator and C1’s Conservator; on 06/14/2023, at approximately 10:30am, with TCRC Quality Assurance Specialist (QAS); on 08/08/2023, from approximately 12:00pm to 1:30pm, with staff and C2. In addition, Investigator Garcia reviewed facility file documents relevant to the complaint. A request for police reports was made to the Oxnard Police Department, however no reports were found on file. A sequential interview with C1 was not recommended by C1’s conservator and TCRC due to C1’s possibility of mental confusion and continued attention-seeking behaviors. An interview was not possible with C3 due to C3 being non-verbal and unable to communicate.

According to the TCRC Individual Program Plan (IPP), dated 12/27/2018, C1 has an extensive history of sexually inappropriate behaviors. C1 was referred for an ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) from SAGE services to address sexually inappropriate behaviors, physical aggression, property destruction and elopement. C1 is deaf and uses ASL (American Sign Language) for communicating. C1 is diagnosed with mood disorder, unspecified psychosis, and epilepsy. The assessment, dated 12/14/2021, further stated previous concerns of C1’s history of lying and fabricating stories. Additionally, caregivers also previously reported concerns of C1’s wandering from the home, sexually inappropriate behaviors, aggression, and frequent hospital check-ins which appear to have an attention seeking function.

Report will continue on LIC9099-C (3rd page).

SUPERVISORS NAME: Kasandra Lopez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Esther Cortez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/07/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/07/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 29-AS-20230511091829

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: GONZALES FAMILY HOME	FACILITY NUMBER: 565801393
	VISIT DATE: 02/07/2024

NARRATIVE

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Information obtained from Investigator Garcia’s interviews confirmed that C1 has an extensive history of sexually inappropriate behaviors and tends to falsely accuse others of C1’s inappropriate actions. Multiple allegations were previously made by C1, that were similar in nature and investigated by CCL IB and Oxnard PD. Due to contradictory and inaccurate statements, the allegations were deemed to be unsubstantiated or unfounded. Per C1’s conservator, they have knowledge of C1’s previous sexual abuse allegations that were deemed to be false and had no concerns regarding the facility’s level of care and supervision offered to the clients. Facility staff confirmed that there is constant supervision and clients are never left unattended.

Based on the information and documentation provided, the Department does not have sufficient evidence to support the allegation. Therefore, the allegation “Neglect/Lack of Care leading to Sexual Abuse” is deemed Unsubstantiated at this time.

Exit interview, copy of report given.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Kasandra Lopez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Esther Cortez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/07/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/07/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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