Follow-up·November 22, 2022

On November 22, 2022 at 11:46 AM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Francisco Pedroza conducted an unannounced Case Management inspection to follow-up on an Action Level Exceedance (ALE) reported to the Regional Office by Division of Drinking Water (DDW). LPA met with facility Director, Sarah Hutson and advised her the purpose of the inspection. Director provided LPA a tour of the facility. There were 29 children in care at the time of the inspection. Assembly Bill (AB) 2370, Chapter 676, Statutes of 2018, requires all licensed Child Care Centers (CCCs) constructed before January 1, 2010 to test their drinking water for lead contamination between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2023, and then every five (5) years after the date of the first test. If the water testing results indicate that the facility has an ALE, an immediate response shall be required pursuant to section 101704, which may include remediation. The Regional Office received an ALE for three (3) water outlets in this facility. The Center was notified by LPA Villanueva of the results on November 21, 2022, by phone. LPA advised Director that location (A) had an ALE of 27.0 ppb, location (C) had an ALE of 8.7 ppb, and location (J) had an ALE of 8.3 ppb. Director advised all three locations have been secured preventing children/staff from having access. During today\342\200\231s inspection, LPA toured the facility and inspected the outlets in question. LPA observed that the three (3) outlets were secured with a covering wrapped around them. Two (2) of the outlets are classroom drinking fountains and one (1) is a drinking fountain in the outdoor recreation yard. Director advised that the outlets have been closed since Covid-19 began. Prior to Covid-19 the outlets were used for drinking water. Director advised parents have not been informed of the lead testing results since first being informed yesterday by LPA. Continued on 809-C LPA advised parents need to be informed of the exposure and the notice provided to Community Care Licensing (CCL). Director informed LPA that they did receive the replacement fountains for the classrooms. The facility is still waiting on the status of the outdoor recreation fountain. Director advised facility maintenance must have ordered them last week when they were at the facility. Director informed LPA a local plumber is scheduled to be here on Friday November 25, 2022, to replace the water fountains. LPA advised Director that once the outlets are replaced, they must be retested to ensure the ALE's have been corrected. Until then the fountains must remain secured preventing children from having access. LPA provided a copy of PUB 515 and discussed the need for the Center to share this with families, discussed a plan of correction with the director and informed director the Plan of Correction for lead exceedances must include notification of parents and information about what has been done (their current response, such as water fixture put out of use, and how is water provided) and remediation plans for all water outlets. LPA's shared the following resources quick references: Quick references: \302\267 PIN 22-06-CCP - Lead Testing in Child Care Centers \342\200\223 Frequently Asked Questions \302\267 PIN 21-21-CCP - Release of the Written Directives for Lead Testing of Water in Licensed Child Care Centers Per AB 2370 A type B deficiency is being cited today. See attached 809D. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director. Appeal rights were provided to Director.