Office review·April 9, 2024

An informal office meeting was conducted on this date 04/09/2024 at 10 AM at the Monterey Park Regional Office. Present during the meeting was Licensing Program Manager (LPM) Christina Gabelman, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Cynthia Reyes and Director of the Hope Lutheran Preschool, Ellen Head. The purpose of this Informal office Meeting was to discuss the history of the facility. LPM Gabelman went over the following listed below. On 12/17/2023 it was brought to the department’s attention that a Teacher of the Hope Lutheran preschool, Sherry Keller Bernal was arrested on 12/14/2023 for child sex abuse charges related to an alleged sexual relationship with a 15-year-old and possession of child pornography. Per telephone call to the Director Ellen, who stated the arrest was made during the teacher’s lunch, while she was not at the facility. Ellen also stated the teacher was suspended without pay on 12/14/2023 pending her court date. Director did not report this to the department, the LPA had to call the facility to get details of the incident. Director stated she did not report it because it happened on a Thursday and Friday they dealt with the children's parents, then it was the weekend and was going to report on Monday but the department called her first. Director does understand reporting requirements. Director notified the department that staff Bernal has a court date in May 2024. In 2023 this facility has had several citations and complaints: 07/05/2023 Complaint (Unfounded) Teacher Qualifications and Duties (Repeat Violation/Citation) 04/11/2023 Complaint (Substantiated) Personal Rights/Buildings and Grounds/Teacher Qualifications and Duties. 01/23/2023 Case Management Deficiencies (Type A) Criminal Record Clearance/ Facility is operating beyond the terms and conditions of the license/ Staff yell at children/ Staff use inappropriate forms of discipline/ Facility is unsanitary/Facility has an infestation of rats/ Facility is operating out of ratio. (unsubstantiated) Staff did not provide a comfortable temperature for children in care. 3/10/2017 Annual: Citation for Criminal Record Clearance . Director Ellen Head has been the Director for over 17 years. LPA had recommended to the director Ellen on several occasions since January 2023 (When all the issues really started with the facility) that she should hire an assistant director if she is working and likes being in the classroom teaching. An assistant would help her so she would have less issues with the facility being out of compliance. An assistant director has not been hired as of this date. Director stated she will be stepping down as the Director at the end of the school year May 31, 2024, however she will be the acting director until a new Director is hired. TSP referral was brought to the Directors attention by the LPA during the 2023 annual inspection and Ellen stated she would be interested, however issues with the facility kept coming up after that time it was recommended. LPM has recommended TSP again, however Director Ellen stated she is stepping down and a new director is being hired and after the new director is in place TSP recommendation will be reviewed if needed. Director has agreed to the following: The facility must be in compliance at all times. Increased unannounced inspections to the facility will be made for the next 2 years as required by this compliance plan. Director was advised if compliance in the facility is not being met with Title 22 Regulation during the compliance period, Licensee may be called in for a Non-Compliance Meeting. If licensee stays in compliance during this time, the facility will be removed from the required list after the 2 years. Director Head is stepping down and a new director is being hired. The Director was advised that it is the responsibility of the Licensee, to know & understand the requirements of Health and Safety and Title 22 Regulations. Director agrees to contact her local R&R (Pomona Unified) to seek professional services that will assist her with reviewing the facility noncompliance history and assist with any appropriate training's and recommendations to maintain compliance with the state laws and regulations The New director being hired will complete Child Care Centers Step II Orientation and a copy of her certificate will be submitted along with the new director packet as soon as the director is hired. The Director will also be required to view the following videos on the Department website https://ccld.childcarevideos.org/: Teacher-to Child Ratios in Child Care Centers Supervising Children in Child Care Centers Children’s Personal Right in Child Care Reporting Requirements. Director stated she received the new PIN regarding the Guardian webinar and LPM recommended she attend and will submit in writing that she attended and what she learned. Link to the videos identified above https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing . Please visit the Child Care Licensing website at: www.ccld.ca.gov for quarterly updates, forms, regulations, and providers information notices (PIN). Exit interview conducted with Director, Ellen Head. who agrees with all of the above. End of report page 3