Facility Evaluation Report

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Dang Nguyen conducted an unannounced Case Management Visit to cite a deficiency identified during a separate complaint investigation. LPA was welcomed by, identified himself to, and discussed the purpose of the visit with Caregiver Jave Vega. LPA then met with Licensee Gil Antonio, who arrived later during the visit.

Interviews of multiple facility staff and outside sources, corroborated by care progress notes, showed: For a period of time during which Client #1 (C1) lived at the facility, staff would sometimes require C1 to relinquish / turn in their iPad (their personal property) to staff before bedtime at night. The reason for staff taking the iPad away was to encourage C1 to get a good night’s rest, to support C1 being ready to attend off-site day program the next morning. C1’s responsible person and assigned personnel at San Diego Regional Center (SDRC) were aware of this practice.

However, the evidence also showed there were occasions when C1 did not want to turn in their iPad to staff, but they were still required to do so, causing C1 to become frustrated/agitated. After a few months of C1 living at the facility, Licensee directed its staff to stop taking away C1’s iPad, at all.

While facility staff may encourage good habits in clients, they may not force a client to surrender their personal property. Regulation protects a client’s ongoing right to “possess and use his/her own personal items.” One (1) deficiency was cited per California Code of Regulations, Title 22 (refer to the attached LIC 809-D page). A Plan of Correction was jointly developed with the Licensee.

An exit interview was conducted with Gil Antonio , to whom a copy of this report, the LIC 809-D, and the Licensee/Appeal Rights (LIC9058 03/22) were provided.