Inspection visit

Follow-up on correctionsJanuary 21, 2026

EL CAJON SENIOR CARE HOMELicense 3746037226 citations on this visit

6 citations recorded

Inspector’s narrative

What the inspector wrote

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Dang Nguyen conducted an unannounced Case Management Visit to cite a deficiencies which were identified during a separate complaint investigation. LPA was welcomed by, identified himself to, and discussed the purpose of the visit with House Manager Melissa Cherry. LPA also spoke with Licensee/Administrator Dawn Sasso-Toth via phone during today’s visit. During LPA's 01/21/2026 site visit, Licensee/Administrator was not physically present at the facility. LPA asked the House Manager (who was the acting administrator) for Staff #2’s (S2) personnel file. [See LIC811 Confidential Names List for a description of select person identifiers used in this report.] However, Licensee’s staff were unable to timely produce it during LPA’s visit, which occurred during normal business hours, and which lasted several hours. CCR 87412(f) states, “All personnel records shall be available to the licensing agency to inspect, audit, and copy upon demand during normal business hours.” Interview of administrator and multiple care staff showed S2 worked on the facility’s overnight NOC shift. Review of CCLD’s Guardian Database showed that S2 did not possess an active criminal record clearance with CCLD, which was required before S2 can work. [Licensee immediately pulled S2 off the work schedule and arranged coverage to backfill their shifts. Licensee agreed to not employ S2 again, until S2 is cleared and associated the facility’s employee roster in Guardian.] [CONTINUED ON LIC 809-C] [CONTINUED FROM LIC 809] The available records and interviews showed: According to R1’s Admissions Agreement, R1 moved into the facility in September 2024, and R1’s monthly rent was payable to Licensee on the 1 st day of each month. Beginning November 2025, R1 stopped making rent payments to Licensee. (R1 still had a past-due balance owed to Licensee as of the date of this report.) Licensee subsequently issued a 30-day-notice / eviction letter to R1. This letter was dated 11/01/2025 and stated that R1 was required to vacate the premises no later than 11/30/2025. The letter was served to R1’s acting representative on 11/12/2025. CCLD reviewed a copy of this letter, finding: The notice to quit did not include, “Resources available to assist in identifying alternative housing and care options which include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Referral services that will aid in finding alternative housing. 2. Case management organizations which help manage individual care and service,” as required. The notice to quit did not include a statement informing the resident of “their right to file a complaint with the licensing agency, as specified in Section 87468, subsection (a)(4), including the name, address and telephone number of the licensing office with whom the licensee normally conducts business, and the State Long Term Care Ombudsman office,” as required. The notice to quit also did not include the following required paragraph: “In order to evict a resident who remains in the facility after the effective date of the eviction, the residential care facility for the elderly must file an unlawful detainer action in superior court and receive a written judgment signed by a judge. If the facility pursues the unlawful detainer action, you must be served with a summons and complaint. You have the right to contest the eviction in writing and through a hearing.” Lastly, neither a written report nor a copy of R1’s eviction letter was sent to CCLD within the required five (5) days. Six (6) deficiencies were cited per California Code of Regulations, Title 22 (refer to the attached LIC 809-D pages). Since one of these deficiencies was regarding a staff background clearance, and immediate civil penalty of $500 was assessed (refer to the LIC421-BG page). Plans of Correction was jointly developed with the Licensee. An exit interview was conducted with House Manager Melissa Cherry. A copy of this report, the LIC 809-D pages, the LIC421-BG page, the LIC811 Confidential Names List, and the Licensee/Appeal Rights (LIC9058 03/22) were provided to Cherry, and a duplicate set was E-mailed to Licensee/Administrator Dawn-Sasso Toth.

Citations

7 citations recorded^*CCLD

What does Type A vs Type B mean?

Type A. Serious citation. Imminent or substantial risk to children. The regulator requires corrective action immediately and may impose a civil penalty.

Type B. Lower-severity citation. Corrective action required, no imminent risk. The regulator monitors compliance on the next visit.

87468.2(a)(20)Type B
87468.2 Additional Personal Rights of Residents in Privately Operated Facilities: “(a) …residents in privately operated residential care facilities for the elderly shall have all of the following personal rights: (20) To be protected from involuntary transfers, discharges, and evictions. A licensee shall not involuntarily transfer or evict residents for reasons other than those permitted by state law or regulations and shall comply with all eviction and relocation protections for residents…” This requirement was not met, as evidenced by: Based on records and interviews, Licensee did not ensure that 1 of 6 residents (R1) in their privately operated residential care facility for the elderly was protected from involuntary eviction. This posed a potential health, safety, and personal rights risk to persons in care.
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87224(d)(1)(B)Type B
87224 Eviction Procedures : “(d)(1) The notice to quit shall include the following information: (B) Resources available to assist in identifying alternative housing and care options…” This requirement was not met, as evidenced by: Based on records review, in the notice to quit regarding 1 of 6 residents (R1), Licensee did not include resources available to assist in identifying alternative housing and care options, to include referral services and case management organizations. This posed a potential personal rights risk to persons in care.
87224(d)(1)(C)Type B
87224 Eviction Procedures : “(d)(1) The notice to quit shall include the following information: (C) A statement informing residents of their right to file a complaint with the licensing agency, as specified in Section 87468, subsection (a)(4), including the name, address and telephone number of the licensing office with whom the licensee normally conducts business, and the State Long Term Care Ombudsman office.” This requirement was not met, as evidenced by: Based on records review, in the notice to quit regarding 1 of 6 residents (R1), Licensee did not include a statement informing residents of their right to file a complaint with the licensing agency, as specified in Section 87468, subsection (a)(4), including the name, address and telephone number of the licensing office with whom the licensee normally conducts business, and the State Long Term Care Ombudsman office. This posed a potential personal rights risk to persons in care.
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87224(d)(1)(D)Type B
87224 Eviction Procedures : “(d)(1) The notice to quit shall include the following information: (D) The following exact statement as specified in Health and Safety Code Section 1569.683(a)(4): ‘In order to evict a resident who remains in the facility after the effective date of the eviction, the residential care facility for the elderly must file an unlawful detainer action in superior court and receive a written judgment signed by a judge. If the facility pursues the unlawful detainer action, you must be served with a summons and complaint. You have the right to contest the eviction in writing and through a hearing.’” This requirement was not met, as evidenced by: Based on records review, in the notice to quit regarding 1 of 106 residents (R1), Licensee did not include the following exact statement as specified in Health and Safety Code Section 1569.683(a)(4): “In order to evict a resident who remains in the facility after the effective date of the eviction, the residential care facility for the elderly must file an unlawful detainer action in superior court and receive a written judgment signed by a judge. If the facility pursues the unlawful detainer action, you must be served with a summons and complaint. You have the right to contest the eviction in writing and through a hearing.” This posed a potential personal rights risk to persons in care.
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87224(f)Type B
87224 Eviction Procedures: “(f) A written report of any eviction shall be sent to the licensing agency within five (5) days.” This requirement was not met, as evidenced by: Based on records review, Licensee did not send a written report of eviction regarding 1 of 6 residents (R1) to the licensing agency within five (5) days. This posed a potential personal rights risk to persons in care.
87355(e)(2)Type A
87355 Criminal Record Clearance: "(e) All individuals subject to a criminal record review pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1569.17(b) shall prior to working, residing or volunteering in a licensed facility: (2) Obtain a California clearance or a criminal record exemption as required by the Department…” This requirement was not met, as evidenced by: Based on record review and manager interviews, Licensee did not ensure that 1 of 9 staff (S2) obtained a California clearance or a criminal record exemption as required by the Department, prior to working in the licensed facility. This posed an immediate safety risk to 5 of 5 residents (Resident #2 through Resident #6) in care.
87412(f)Type B
87412 Personnel Records: “(f) All personnel records shall be available to the licensing agency to inspect, audit, and copy upon demand during normal business hours.” This requirement was not met, as evidenced by: Based on LPA observation and staff interviews, for 9 of 9 staff (S1 through S9), Licensee did not ensure that their personnel records were available to the licensing agency to inspect, audit, and copy upon demand during normal business hours. This posed a potential safety risk to persons in care.

FAQ · About this visit

Common questions about this visit

What happened during the January 21, 2026 inspection of EL CAJON SENIOR CARE HOME?

This was a other inspection of EL CAJON SENIOR CARE HOME on January 21, 2026. 6 citations were issued: 1 Type A (serious) and 5 Type B.

Were any citations issued to EL CAJON SENIOR CARE HOME on January 21, 2026?

Yes, 6 citations were issued (1 Type A, 5 Type B). The first citation was for: "87468.2 Additional Personal Rights of Residents in Privately Operated Facilities: “(a) …residents in privately operated ..."

What type of inspection was this?

This was a other inspection. other inspections are conducted by CCLD as part of their licensing oversight.

SourceView on CCLD View original report

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Data from CCLD public records. Last updated May 25, 2026. If you believe any information is inaccurate, report it here.

Follow-up on corrections·January 21, 2026