Complaint Investigation Report

Interviews with staff revealed that facility conducts emergency drills at the facility for clients to prepared them in the case of an emergency. Fire drill test and evacuation drills are conducted twice a year with clients and staff participating. Along with the fire drill facility staff conduct a safety check for all smoke detectors, fire panels and fire extinguishers. Drills are conducted in the beginning of the year and the end of the year. LIC624 received on 02/06/2021 indicates that facility incident happened at 6:45pm and the entire house was evacuated.

It is alleged that facility is not adequately staffed to meet the clients needs. Per regulation 85065.5 Day staff-client ratio indicates (a) Whenever a client who relies upon others to perform all activities of daily living is present, the following minimum staffing requirements shall be met: (1) For Regional Center clients, staffing shall be maintained as specified by the Regional Center but no less than one direct care staff to three such clients. (2) For all other clients, there shall be a staff-client ratio of no less than one direct care staff to three such clients. Per regulation 85065.6(g) Night Supervision indicates (g) In facilities providing care to Regional Center clients who rely upon others to perform all activities of daily living, night supervision shall be maintained as required by the Regional Center, but no less than the staff-client ratio specified in Sections 85065.6(f) and (f)(1). Records review indicated that facility schedule reflects there is 2-3 care staff at any given shift through the 24 hour period. At the time of incident, the facility census was 4 clients. There were two care staff and the Administrator present at the facility at the time of the incident. Per interviews with staff revealed that facility Administrator generates care staff schedule to always have anywhere from 2-3 staff at all times in any given shift.

Based on the information mentioned above, the Department is unable to ascertain if the allegation occurred as reported. Although the allegations may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove or refute the alleged violation occurred; therefore, this allegations are deemed Unsubstantiated.

An exit interview was conducted with Administrator and a copy of this LIC9099 report was left at facility.