Incident investigation·March 13, 2024

On March 13, 2024 Licensing Program Analyst's (LPA's) Susana Martinez and Veronica Diaz conducted an unannounced case management-incident inspection. LPA's met with site director Marlene Ybarra and assistant director Zeneida Garcia. Together with the directors LPA's toured the facility inside and outside. At the time of inspection there were 71 children in care of 10 staff. On 2/23/2024, Director Marlene Ybarra contacted Community Care Licensing (CCL) to self-report an incident of a child therapist who witnessed a staff (S1) on 2/23/2024 at approximately 11:20 AM grab a child (C1) inappropriately. Therapist overheard C1 indicating they were hurt. LPA's conducted staff interviews while at the facility. Staff indicated S1 was let go for the day on the date of incident until all internal investigation was concluded. Internal investigations included interviews with C1, child therapist, therapist's supervisor, and other staff in the room on the date of the incident. After further investigation it was concurred that S1 was attempting to prevent C1 from hurting another child. S1 grabbed on to C1's elbow to prevent them from thrusting back and falling to the floor. Interviews determined, (S1) returned to work on 2/27/2024. Parents of C1 were informed of the incident and C1 is still enrolled in care. Therapist who witnessed the incident also indicated S1's action did not appear to be malicious. Given the facility's account of the incident when reporting it to CCL and how they addressed the incident, LPA deemed the facility's action was appropriate. No deficiencies were issued during today's inspection. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with director Marlene Ybarra.