Incident investigation·June 29, 2023

On 06/29/2023, an unannounced case management inspection was conducted by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Anna Chan who met with the Director, Kandyce Piraino and Director of Operations, Dorain Cassell. Upon arrival there were 7 staff present and 27 school-age children in care. A review of criminal record clearances indicates that all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions. On 6/15/2023 a self-reported incident by the facility was received at the regional office. It was reported that Child #1 (C1), Child #2 (C2), Child #3 (C3), were left unsupervised in the public restroom during field trip on 06/14/2023 at Triangle Cinema in Costa Mesa. During this investigation, LPA interviewed Director, and 1 staff present at the time the incident happened. LPA obtained a copy of the children list for the fieldtrip and Personnel Summary Report. Based on interview, Staff # 1 (S1) stated S1 accompanied 7 children, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 (4 girls and 3 boys) to the theater restroom. While waiting outside the girl’s restroom, C5 needed to go to the boy’s restroom. S1 tried to call the 4 girls but only C4 went out. S1 saw another Staff #2 (S2) from their sister school (YMCA-Benson) in the restroom and S1 left. S1 walked C5, C6, C7 and C4 to the boy’s restroom and left the 3 girls in the girl’s restroom unsupervised. When S1 and the other 4 children walked back to the girl’s restroom, C1, C2 and C3 were waiting outside the restroom with S2. There is no communication from S1 leaving the children to S2; S2 waited with the 3 children until S1 returned. The girl’s and boy’s restroom are about 50 feet apart with theater concessions in between both bathrooms according to the director. Page 1 of 2 Based on children interview C1 is not aware being left unsupervised by S1. On another interview with C2 and C3, they were aware that they were left unsupervised when they tried looking for S1. C3 stated another teacher S2 was there but S2 is not part of their group. Based on the information gathered from the interviews conducted, and records reviews, it was determined that C1, C2, C3, were left unsupervised for approximately 5 minutes at 1pm while on a field trip to the movie theater. The facility was not in compliance of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12. The following citation Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision section 101229(a)(1) was issued today on the attached LIC 809D. LPA Chan informed director Kandyce Piraino that this report dated 06/29/2023 for Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. LPA Chan informed the director Kandyce Piraino to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 06/29/2023, which has a Type A citation, must be provided 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. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director Kandyce Piraino. A notice of site visit was posted on the door and must remain posted for 30 days. Appeal Rights and deficiencies were discussed. The facility representative was provided a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. All appeals must be in writing and received by the Regional Office within 15 business days. First level appeals should be sent to the regional manager to the address listed above. Page 2 of 2 End of Report