Complaint Investigation Report

Facility has insufficient amounts of foods for clients in care

Per the facility manager Ms. Hervey, the facility completes their grocery shopping on either Monday or Tuesday each week. The grocery shopping is completed by the facility manager and another designated staff for the day. LPA conducted the initial complaint visit on 5/10/23 and observed for the facility to have the required and sufficient food supply of 2-day perishable and a 7-day supply of nonperishable food items. The facility has a refrigerator located inside of the kitchen, and a refrigerator as well as a deep freezer located outside in the garage. In addition, the facility has an excess of canned fruits, veggies, beans and lentils. Per interviews conducted with staff there is a sufficient amount of food, however due to the facility meal break expectation policy staff are required to eat their meals with the clients. The clients are not served a second helping as there would not be enough for staff to eat. Further, interviews conducted revealed that there are times when items that were purchased from the grocery store have come up missing such as bread and meat (carne asada) with no explanation as to where the items went. In addition, LPA, observed that there was a purchase on 5/9/23, for $20.00 worth of eggs from a local egg farm, however during LPAs visit, LPA observed for the facility to have one (1) carton of eggs. It was confirmed by staff that a purchase for that amount would supply a total 60 eggs. Further staff interviews revealed that there are frequent menu changes as the items or ingredients needed to prepare a meal are not present at the facility, when they initially were. Further interviews revealed that there are not being any additional purchases being made, just constant substitutions for all meals (breakfast, lunch and or dinner. The evidence suggest that the facility does not have insufficient food supply because the items are being taken. Per interviews conducted revealed that staff have observed food either come up missing or have physically witnessed food being taken. The food that is discarded because it has expired is not included. In addition, staff interviews revealed that Staff #1 would make statements such as don’t touch that, that is mine” referring to chips, tortillas and canned goods. Based on observation, interview and record review the allegation of facility has insufficient amounts of food for clients in care is SUBSTANTIATED.

Facility staff treat some clients differently than others

It was reported that there is one client, client #1 (C1) in particular that is treated differently than others by Staff #1 (S1) and staff #2 (S2). Interviews conducted with clients revealed that they have observed (C1) being treated differently. The different treatment presents in the form of C1 getting yelled at and told that they are not allowed to participate in certain activities. An interview with C1 revealed that they felt like they are not wanted there at the facility. Interviews with staff revealed that C1 is treated differently because they want to wear makeup, and, make sure their hair is done a certain way, but they are told “no”. Further