Incident investigation·February 13, 2024

On February 13, 2024, Licensing Program Analyst's (LPA's) Susana Martinez and Aaliyah Zendejas conducted an unannounced Case Management- Incident inspection. LPA's met with director Judy Johnston and assistant director Christina Ornelas and advised them the purpose of the inspection. LPA's were provided with a tour of the facility inside and out. There were 11 children in care of 4 staff at the time of the inspection. On 10/02/23 an incident occurred at the center involving a child (C1) who wandered outside of the day-care. At or around morning snack time a child was found outside the center's gate in the middle of the parking lot. Director states that on the date of the incident there were two fully qualified staff present. LPA's conducted interviews with the staff members whom were present at the time of the incident. One staff member stated they were inside and had no knowledge that the child wandered off. The same staff member indicated parent volunteers were located outside. LPA reminded staff that parents are not responsible for the care and supervision of children in care. The other staff member stated they were also unaware that the child was gone. Neither staff observed how C1 exited the premises and neither staff could estimate how long the child was gone for nor where exactly the child was found. According to C1's parent, child was in the middle of the parking lot. The child returned to the facility and is still currently enrolled. To prevent any similar incidents, the center has placed a wooden board to the bottom of the gate to prevent children escaping through the gap. Based on the fact that neither staff member had knowledge that the child being absent from the center, it was determined that the center's responsibility for providing care and supervision to all children in care was not met. Continued on 809-C LPA's informed Judy Johnston and Christina Ornelas that this report dated 2/13/2024 documents One Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there was immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA's informed the Director Judy Johnston and Assistant Director Christina Ornelas to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 2/13/2024 that documents any Type A citation(s) 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. One Type A deficiency was issued during today's inspection for CCR 1012299(a)(1)- Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision and can be found on the attached 809-D. A civil penalty of $500 was also issued during today's inspection. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Exit interview conducted, appeal rights were given, and report was reviewed with directors Judy Johnston and assistant director Christina Ornelas