Childhelp – Merv Griffin Village

Substantiated : 87072(c)(11)

On 8/5/2022 at 8:30AM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Joon Choi met with ChildHelp Merv Griffin Village Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) Director of Support Services Manuel Barragan, to deliver the finding for the above allegation. The investigation included interviews with County Social Worker (CSW), clients (C1, C2, and C3), and staff (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7 and S8). LPA Choi obtained documents and a copy of a video pertinent to the investigation. On 6/22/2022, Community Care Licensing received a complaint that staff (S1) inappropriately handled a client (C1). Confidential interviews were conducted with C1 and the other clients of C1's assigned cottage. Some confidential interviews suggest that there may have been inappropriate physical contact between S1 and C1. Other confidential interviews reported they didn't witness any physical contact between S1 and C1, but that disclosure of abuse was made by C1. Confidential interviews were also conducted with facility staff. Some confidential interviews suggest that S1 did not follow policy. Other confidential interviews reported they did not witness S1 physically restrain or abuse C1. Based on confidential interviews and a viewing of the incident on video, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, and the allegation that staff inappropriately handled a client is supported and proven by evidence (the facility video). The facility is cited for violation of Short Term Residential Treatment Facility ...

Substantiated (one of several allegations)

On August 5, 2022 at 9:50am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Darlene Almaraz-Oseguera conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility to deliver the findings of the above allegations. LPA met with Quality Manager Amanda Bell. LPA Lorena Valenzuela conducted an inspection of the facility on September 17, 2022, at 11:40 am and no immediate deficiencies were observed. Four of four children (C1, C2, C3, C4), five staff and facility administrator were interviewed. It was reported to Community Care Licensing (CCL) that C1's hygiene was not being met and C1 was not being groomed while in care. Confidential staff interviews reported that staff attempted to ensure that C1 was bathed ever day, however C1 refused at times. Confidential interviews reported that C1 was observed numerous times by different personnel with poor hygiene and not properly dressed and groomed. Even though staff interviews reported C1's refusal's to bathe, there is not documentation to corroborate that information . All of the interviews including C1's and proper documentation does corroborate the allegations listed above. Based on record review, interviews and documentation that C1's hygiene was not being met and C1 was not being groomed while in care. The preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the allegations that C1's hygiene was not being met and C1 was not being groomed while in care is found to be Substantiated. The facility is being cited for violation of California Code of ...

Substantiated

This is an amended report that was issued on On August 5, 2022: On August 5, 2022 at 10:31 am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Darlene Almaraz-Oseguera conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility to deliver the findings of the above allegations. LPA met with quality assurance manager Amanda Bell. LPA Lorena Valenzuela conducted an inspection of the facility on October 25, 2022, at 11:31 am and no immediate deficiencies were observed. Three of three children (C1, C2, C3), four staff and facility administrator were interviewed. It was reported to Community Care Licensing (CCL) that staff #1 (S1) threw an object at C1 and S1 mishandled C1 with an inappropriate restraint. Confidential staff interviews reported that an incident occurred between S1 and C1 on October 11, 2021. Confidential staff interviews reported that S1 then threw a plastic bottle of soda at C1. Additional information then revealed that S1 then grabbed C1 by the arm, twisting it behind C1's back and pushed up. Confidential staff interviews reported that the incident was investigated internally and reported to all appropriate parties. All of the interviews and proper documentation does corroborate the allegations. Based on record review, interviews and documentation S1 did throw an object at C1 and S1 mishandled C1 with an inappropriate restraint. The preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the allegations that S1 threw an object at C1 and S1 mishandled C1 with an inappropriate ...

Substantiated : 87072(d)(11)

LPA Mena met with Executive Director, James Crabtree to discuss the investigative findings for the above stated allegation. An investigation was conducted by LPAs Lorena Valenzuela and Daniel Mena regarding allegation. LPAs Valenzuela and Mena conducted an inspection to the Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) on November 01, 2021 at 11:00am and on July 07, 2022 at 11:01am. No immediate hazards observed. LPAs interviewed three staff (S2, S3, & S4), four foster children (C1, C2, C3 & C4), as well as reviewed video surveillance and client and facility records. Community Care Licensing received information on November 01, 2021 alleging that Facility Staff handled child in a rough manner, more specifically that Staff # 1 (S1) had kicked Child # 1 (C1). Information received and confidential interviews corroborated allegation with a preponderance of evidence. According to confidential information, S1 was observed to have pulled and kicked C1 during an incident which occurred inside C1's cottage on surveillance video. LPA Mena was shown surveillance video where S1 is observed kicking C1 near the exit door while C1 was laying on the ground. LPA Mena was informed that S1 was no longer working at this facility and that S1 was terminated as a result of this video. Based on interviews and information gathered during the investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met and the Department has determined the allegation that Facility Staff handled child in a ...

Substantiated

On July 8, 2022 at 12:40 pm, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Darlene Almaraz-Oseguera conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility to deliver the findings of the above allegations. LPA met with Quality Assurance Coordinator, Jessica Fox. LPA Lorena Valenzuela conducted an inspection of the facility on August 31, 2021 at 10:15 am and no immediate deficiencies were observed. Four of four children (C1, C2, C3, C4), four staff and facility administrator were interviewed. It was reported to Community Care Licensing (CCL) that the facility is not reporting serious incident reports and C2 was bullied by different clients. Confidential staff interviews reported that an incident occurred on December 20, 2020 and was not reported to CCL. Confidential interviews reported that the incident involved S1 not letting C1 keep a slime and S1 ended up dragging C1 and putting C1 in restraint that was not appropriate. Confidential staff interviews reported that the incident was investigated internally and was never reported to CCL. Confidential interviews reported C2 had been hit and bullied by several clients on several different occasions. Confidential interviews reported that on August 8, 2021, C2 was on the coach and several clients smothered C2 with a pillow and staff #2 did not intervened. All of the interviews and proper documentation does corroborate all this information. Based on record review, interviews and documentation the facility did not report this incident that occurred ...