Mt. Lassen Treatment Center

Substantiated (one of several allegations)

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tina Thorn arrived unannounced at the facility on 04.02.26 for the purpose of delivering findings for the complaint investigation. LPA met with Paige Woodard, Program Director. LPA Thorn conducted the complaint investigation. LPA opened the investigation with the facility on 01.29.26 and met with Paige Woodard, Program Director and Columbus Bender, Compliance Manager and conducted a Health and Safety Inspection. During the course of the investigation, LPA interviewed two youths, one county social worker, six facility staff members and one other confidential interview. LPA reviewed records including Placement Roster, prior complaint history, Serious Incident Reports, Child and Family Team Notes, Needs and Service Plans for one foster youth, emails between staff, a youth grievance form, placing agency documentation and a staff incident statement. It was alleged that one staff spoke inappropriately to a youth in care. Six of six interviews with staff indicate that this staff member would consistently make inappropriate and antagonistic comments to the youth. The youth who were interviewed corroborated that this staff would often engage argumentatively and use derogatory language with them. Records reviewed included documentation of previous disciplinary action taken against this staff for inappropriate conduct and this staff member has been terminated. Based on LPA's interviews which were conducted and records reviewed, the preponderance of ...

Substantiated

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Aleza Ruiz arrived unannounced at the facility on this date for the purpose of delivering findings for the complaint investigation. LPA met with Paige Woodard, Program Director. LPA Aleza Ruiz and LPA Elena Gonzalez-Soto conducted the complaint investigation. LPA Gonzalez-Soto initiated the investigation with the facility on 12/30/2024 and met with Paige Woodard, Program Director. During the course of the investigation, LPA Ruiz interviewed three youth, one probation officer, and six staff members. LPA reviewed records including: Placement Roster, Training logs, prior complaint history, drug test findings, Serious Incident Reports, and video footage. Regarding the allegations listed, the facility submitted an incident report to the department alleging a staff member provided a marijuana pen to clients and participated in marijuana use with clients. Two youth present during the incident reported the staff did provide marijuana to the clients and participated in marijuana use with the clients. Continued from The facility subsequently drug tested the youth which resulted in positive tests for marijuana. During interviews there was no mention of clients having access to marijuana before this incident took place. Based on LPA's observations, interviews which were conducted, and records reviewed, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be Substantiated. Citation is being issued for violating ...

Substantiated

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Aleza Ruiz arrived unannounced at the facility on this date for the purpose of delivering findings for the complaint investigation. LPA met with Paige Woodard, Program Director. LPA Aleza Ruiz and LPA Elena Gonzalez-Soto conducted the complaint investigation. LPA Gonzalez-Soto initiated the investigation with the facility on 12/30/2024 and met with Paige Woodard, Program Director. During the course of the investigation, LPA Ruiz interviewed three youth, one probation officer, and six staff members. LPA reviewed records including: Placement Roster, Training logs, prior complaint history, drug test findings, Serious Incident Reports, and video footage. Regarding the allegations listed, the facility submitted an incident report to the department alleging a staff member provided a marijuana pen to clients and participated in marijuana use with clients. Two youth present during the incident reported the staff did provide marijuana to the clients and participated in marijuana use with the clients. Continued from The facility subsequently drug tested the youth which resulted in positive tests for marijuana. During interviews there was no mention of clients having access to marijuana before this incident took place. Based on LPA's observations, interviews which were conducted, and records reviewed, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be Substantiated. Citation is being issued for violating ...

Substantiated (one of several allegations)

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tina Thorn arrived unannounced at the facility on 02.07.25 for the purpose of delivering findings for the complaint investigation. LPA met with Paige Woodard, Program Director.LPA Thorn and LPA Aleza Ruiz conducted the complaint investigation. LPA opened the investigation with the facility on 11.14.24 and met with Paige Woodard, Program Director. During the course of the investigation, LPA interviewed 4 staff, 6 clients, a Probation Officer, and a County Social Worker. LPA reviewed records from the facility including Placement Roster, Training logs, prior complaint history, staff schedule, client roster, placing agency contact information, and Serious Incident Reports. It was alleged that lack of supervision resulted in inappropriate interactions between youth. Staff and Client interviews corroborated that on one evening bed checks were not properly performed and that two youth were able to escape their dorm room and engage in inappropriate and destructive activities. Interviews were inconsistent regarding a lack of supervision as the cause of two youth being inappropriate in the showering room. Continued on 812C The SIR's that were sent and reviewed for the months of October-December reflect an understanding by staff of emergency intervention strategies. There was not enough information provided from interviews and records to demonstrate whether the facility contacted law enforcement when specifically directed by the placing agency, in ...

Substantiated (one of several allegations)

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tina Thorn arrived unannounced at the facility on 02.07.25 for the purpose of delivering findings for the complaint investigation. LPA met with Paige Woodard, Program Director.LPA Thorn and LPA Aleza Ruiz conducted the complaint investigation. LPA opened the investigation with the facility on 11.14.24 and met with Paige Woodard, Program Director. During the course of the investigation, LPA interviewed 4 staff, 6 clients, a Probation Officer, and a County Social Worker. LPA reviewed records from the facility including Placement Roster, Training logs, prior complaint history, staff schedule, client roster, placing agency contact information, and Serious Incident Reports. It was alleged that lack of supervision resulted in inappropriate interactions between youth. Staff and Client interviews corroborated that on one evening bed checks were not properly performed and that two youth were able to escape their dorm room and engage in inappropriate and destructive activities. Interviews were inconsistent regarding a lack of supervision as the cause of two youth being inappropriate in the showering room. Continued on 812C The SIR's that were sent and reviewed for the months of October-December reflect an understanding by staff of emergency intervention strategies. There was not enough information provided from interviews and records to demonstrate whether the facility contacted law enforcement when specifically directed by the placing agency, in ...

Substantiated (one of several allegations) : 87061(i)(7), 87072(c)(17), 80028(a), 80061(b)

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tina Thorn arrived unannounced at the facility on 12.19.24 for the purpose of delivering findings for the complaint investigation. LPA met with NAME, TITLE. LPA Thorn and LPA Lyta Vue conducted the complaint investigation. LPA opened the investigation with the facility on 10.11.24 and met with Paige Woodard, Program Director and conducted a Health and Safety Inspection. During the course of the investigation, LPA interviewed One Probation Officer, six staff, and three clients, LPA reviewed records including: Needs and Services Plan for three clients, Intake forms for three clients, LIC 500, Placing Agency Contacts, Staff Training Log, Incident Reports, a video, and photographs. It was alleged that staff made inappropriate comments toward the minors. Client and staff interviews corroborated that on occasion, staff speak inappropriately to the clients, or with a derogatory tone. Two staff spoke of this being an ongoing problem and staff need more training. Regarding the allegation that staff inappropriately restrained a minor resulting in injuries and staff handled minor in a rough manner, LPA obtained photos of a minor who sustained bruising and fingernail mark injuries from staff after being in a restraint. No full serious incident report was submitted to the Department regarding the restraint to detail staff's involvement. The client indicated they were running away, which does not provide justification for use of physical restraint. ...

Substantiated (one of several allegations) : 87061(i)(7), 87072(c)(17), 80028(a), 80061(b)

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tina Thorn arrived unannounced at the facility on 12.19.24 for the purpose of delivering findings for the complaint investigation. LPA met with NAME, TITLE. LPA Thorn and LPA Lyta Vue conducted the complaint investigation. LPA opened the investigation with the facility on 10.11.24 and met with Paige Woodard, Program Director and conducted a Health and Safety Inspection. During the course of the investigation, LPA interviewed One Probation Officer, six staff, and three clients, LPA reviewed records including: Needs and Services Plan for three clients, Intake forms for three clients, LIC 500, Placing Agency Contacts, Staff Training Log, Incident Reports, a video, and photographs. It was alleged that staff made inappropriate comments toward the minors. Client and staff interviews corroborated that on occasion, staff speak inappropriately to the clients, or with a derogatory tone. Two staff spoke of this being an ongoing problem and staff need more training. Regarding the allegation that staff inappropriately restrained a minor resulting in injuries and staff handled minor in a rough manner, LPA obtained photos of a minor who sustained bruising and fingernail mark injuries from staff after being in a restraint. No full serious incident report was submitted to the Department regarding the restraint to detail staff's involvement. The client indicated they were running away, which does not provide justification for use of physical restraint. ...