Incident investigation·September 11, 2023

On 09/11/2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Ocegueda conducted a case management inspection in order to address an unusual incident that was reported to the Department on 9/5/2023. LPA met with Center Director Lorraine Palomo today and informed her of the reason for the inspection. LPA toured the facility, and a census was taken. There were no children in care at the time of this inspection due to early release. On 9/5/2023, the facility representative contacted the Department to report that an infant (infant #1) fell from the changing table located in the infant room while staff #1 was changing infant #1. Today, LPA inspected the area, interviewed staff #1 and interviewed Center Director. Interviews revealed that staff #1 was holding infant #1 and lost grip of infant after he/she was done changing infant’s diaper. The infant fell to the ground hitting his/her right side of head and body. Per interview, staff #1 began working with infants in August of 2023. Records revealed that staff #1 is a fully qualified teacher and has infant educational units. No medical records were available as parents reported that they did not take infant #1 to seek medical evaluation. LPA reviewed personal rights of children in care, reminding Site Supervisor that staff must be able to properly hold and physically manage infants and children in order to provide a safe and healthful environment. Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1 of the California Code of Regulations, the following deficiency is being cited (see 809-D). Appeal Rights were provided. An exit interview was conducted with Center Director Lorraine Palomo. Upon receipt of a Type A violation, facility staff shall post and provide copies of this licensing report to parents/guardians of children in care at the facility and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. A copy of LIC 9224 was given to Center Director Palomo. LIC 9213 Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 days.