Facility Evaluation Report

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Kristin Kontilis conducted an unannounced Annual Required Inspection. The facility has submitted a Mitigation Plan to the Department. Administrator Arnold Hernandez was present at the time of the visit. At the time of arrival, there were eight (8) staff (including Administrator) on duty and nine (9) participants present. LPA informed Administrator of the purpose of the visit.

LPA conducted a physical tour of the facility. The facility operates in a leased building through ANKH Life Skills and contracts with Tri-Counties Regional Center. The facility staff are trained in CPI (non-crisis prevention intervention) and is a “hands off” facility.

The program provides community activities, recreation activities, and educational opportunities to participants with an Autism diagnosis. Participants participate in community service activities, music activities, individualized life skills, recreational activities such as basketball and volleyball, gardening, maintaining the coy and duck ponds, and outings/excursions to local eateries, movie theatres, beaches and parks.

Upon entry, visitors, participants, and staff are screened for temperature and symptoms. The information is kept in a log and stored in a locked file cabinet in the facility conference room. Visitors, participants, and staff are encouraged to wear a mask. If participants are displaying COVID symptoms, they are encouraged to not participate in the program until they are symptom free.

The facility has an administration office, a conference room, three (3) bathrooms, a locked supply room, computer lab, three (3) activity rooms, an infirmary, a relaxation room; a common area with a television set, board games, and musical instruments; lockers and hangers for personal belongings and a kitchen. The kitchen area consists of a refrigerator, microwave, sink and counter area. Sharps and centrally stored medications are kept in locked cabinets in the kitchen. All cleaning agents, disinfectants, and chemicals are stored in a locked supply room.

A tour of the facility revealed that the program site is clean, safe, sanitary, and in good repair. The main entrance into the facility is through a gate leading into a courtyard. Participants can sit outside with two tables and two umbrellas and a garden area. There is a ramp with wheelchair access that enters the building. There are no bodies of water. The facility has six (6) vehicles available for participant transportation.