Complaint Investigation Report

Allegation: Staff left clients unattended while in care.

The details of the complaint alleged staff had left client #1 (C1) and other clients unattended while out on a community outing. The complainant stated during a community outing (C1) was left alone along with clients #2-#4 (C2-C4) were left in the van on 05/14/23 while the staff went inside a supermarket. Later during that same day, (C1) was left unsupervised on the beach while staff stayed in the var.

The Department interviewed (C1) who does not recall this incident. (C1) does not recall being left unattended by staff #1-#2 (S1-S2). (C1) recalls the outing on 05/14/23, but stated a staff was available during the entire outing while being out in the community. Interviews with (S1-S2) stated there is no validity to this accusation. (S1-S2) reported the clients are never left unsupervised for any reason. Interviews with South Central Los Angeles Regional Center (SCLARC) service coordinators witnesses #3-#5 (W3-W5) reported this group home has no history of concerns for lack of supervision. In a separate investigation, the Quality Assurance Specialist (SCLARC) found on the lack of supervision is not supported. From the information gathered, the Department has not found evidence supporting the above claim.

Allegation: Staff hit a client with an object while in care.

Staff allowed a client to hit another client while in care.

It is alleged that staff #1 (S1) had hit client #2 (C2) and (S1) allowed an individual hit (C2) while in care. According to the complainant, during an outing on 05/14/23, while in the van, (S1) had struck (C2) with a shoe across the face and arm for touching one of (S1's) personal items. (S1) also had allowed another individual hit (C2) in the van.

The Department interviewed client #1 (C1), who recalled the incident on 05/14/23 while in the van (C2) had touched one of (S1’s) personal items and was struck by (S1) with a shoe. (C1) stated staff #2 (S2) in charge of driving the van allowed this unacceptable behavior. (C1) reported that (C2) was also hit by another client hit (C2) and did nothing about it and allowed it to happen. (C1) did not have the name of the client.