Incident investigation·October 26, 2022

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Steven Tung conducted an unannounced Case Management inspection due to an incident that was reported to the Department on 9/2/2022. Due to COVID- 19 precautionary measures were taken, licensing staff present during inspection wore appropriate personal protective equipment. LPA met with Office Manager Annabelle Lopez, Account Technician LaVena Martinez, and Program Coordinator Sofia Valdez (phoned in). On 09/02/2022, it was reported that a staff member observed 2 children together - 1 of the children with their shorts down. Facility reported this incident to the Department within the required 24 hours. Based on information obtained during interviews conducted with staff and children and reports submitted, LPA determined that the incident occurred at the end of outdoor play time when staff was gathering children and conducting a head count. During the head count, staff observed the 2 children to be missing from the group. During the inspection, LPA observed the tube bridge where the incident occurred to be observable from the middle of the playground where staff were gathering the children. Based on information obtained during this investigation, no follow up is necessary regarding the incident reported. The facility followed all proper procedures - Staff spoke with the children involved, children’s parents were notified, incident report was sent in properly and timely. Per Program Coordinator Sofia Valdez, the 2 children were separated and placed into different classes. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Office Manager Annabelle Lopez, Program Coordinator Sofia Valdez (phoned in), and Account Technician LaVena Martinez.