Complaint Investigation Report

Allegation: Clients do not have reasonable access to common areas of the facility. It is alleged that residents are confined to a section/wing of the home and they use a side door to enter the wing area where the resident bedrooms are located. According to information obtained, the main entrance of the home and living room is not used by clients, and clients ask Licensees for permission to eat in the kitchen and use the dining room area. A total of 4 residents were interviewed. The residents stated they are allowed to be in all areas of the facility/home, but rarely use the living room area because they prefer to watch TV and eat in their room after they arrive from day program and/or employment. The facility is licensee operated and clients are supervised by 2 staff. The property is large with a gated pool in the backyard that is available for use to clients in care. Both Licensee/Administrator and DSP staff denied the allegation. They both stated that clients are given reasonable access to common areas of the home, and encouraged to get out of their rooms for activities and socialization, but the clients prefer to stay in their room. The facility structure has an L shape, in which 3 client bedrooms and 2 family bedrooms are located in the section/wing where the clients are allegedly confined to. Based on observation, the clients have access to the main common areas of the home, and only have to walk through the hallway that leads into the kitchen in order to access the common areas. The side door in the wing area that leads outdoors is used by both clients and staff. During the visits, clients have been observed entering the facility through the side door, and when asked about the entrance they all stated they prefer to enter through that door. Licensee stated the clients live in a home like setting. There is insufficient evidence to corroborate the allegation.

Allegation: Staff did not ensure the facility was kept free of hazards. The complaint alleges that there are health and safety hazards concerns because a dog was tied up in the living room and many kids toys and other children's items were "all over" the common living space areas. Staff were interviewed and denied the allegation, stating that the dog that was observed belongs to their daughter whom was visiting at that time. Licensees stated the dog is large but has no aggressive proclivities, and they have always had large dogs in the home. Staff stated none of the clients are afraid of dogs. In regards to kids toys and personal items in the home, Licensee's stated the common spaces do have kids toys, but they do not pose a hazard because they are always supervised during activity time and toys are put away shortly after. Four (4) clients were interviewed. None reported being afraid of the family dogs, nor believe the kids toys are a hazard. A client's family member submitted a letter to the Regional Center that stated the clients rights and safety are not being violated by Licensee. Based on observation, there are two large dogs in the backyard/side of the home that appear to be friendly and not a hazard to clients in care. During both visits, the kids toys observed did not pose a tripping hazard. LPA obtained photos and none of the photos depict hazards. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to corroborate the allegation.

Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegation are Unsubstantiated .

An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report was discussed and provided to facility Administrator Guadalupe Sahagun.