Incident investigation·May 30, 2025

On 5/30/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Loyce Phillips, conducted a case management inspection to follow up on an Unusual Incident, reported to the Department on 4/29/2025. LPA was greeted by Director, Karen Cuevas. LPA toured the facility and took a census of the children. LPA observed a total of children in care with 9 staff members. Description of the incident : On 4/28/2025, while on the playground, staff 1 (S1) informed other staff that she was stepping away for five minutes. Upon returning, she observed child 1 (C1) and child 2 (C2) tugging on child 3 (C3) skirt, while climbing on the play structure. S1 asked C1 about the incident and C1 stated we pulled each other pants down. All 3 children confirmed the behavior, and 1 child recanted their story later. C2 reported to staff 2 (S2) that C1 poked her on the bottom area with a stick. Administration and parents were notified immediately. During this case management investigation, LPA toured the facility, documented observations, provided best practices, interviewed staff and captured photos of the play structure. Based on the information provided and interviews conducted there were 4 staff members on the playground during the incident. S1 stated she walked away for about 5 minutes and when she returned she saw the children playing inappropriately. S1 immediately went to the children and spoke with them about how they were playing. S1. did not know how long children were playing in that manner. 809-C S2 stated she was on the playground at the time of the incident, but however was inside the bathroom and did not see C1, C2 or C3 playing inappropriately. S3 stated she was on the playground, but in a different area and did not observe the incident or children. S5 stated she was on break at the time of the incident and did not witness the children. S6 stated she was on the playground and did not observe the children playing. On 5/5/2025 LPA conducted a visit of the facility. LPA observed the playground structure and observed how staff supervised on the playground. LPA provided best practice to the Director on how staff should provide supervision as a team. LPA concluded that staff failed to provide visual observation and supervision to children in care while on the playground, which led to inappropriate interactions between C1, C2 and C3 See LIC 809D. Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations and Health and Safety Code, A type A deficiency is cited. LPA, Loyce Phillips informed Director, Karen Cuevas, that this report dated 5/30/2025 document(s) 1 Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there are immediate risks to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA, Loyce Phillips informed the Director to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 5/30/2025 that documents any Type A citations to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification. The notice of Site Visit (LIC 9213) must remain posted for 30 days during the hours of operation after each site visit by a licensing representative. Failure to maintain posting as required will results in a civil penalty of 100.00. An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report and appeals rights was provided to Director, Karen Cuevas.