Yosemite Treatment Center

Substantiated (one of several allegations) : 87078(c)

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tina Thorn arrived unannounced at the facility on 08.20.26 for the purpose of delivering findings for the complaint investigation. LPA met with Paige Woodard, Program Director and Columbus Bender, Compliance Manager. LPA Thorn conducted the complaint investigation. LPA initiated the investigation with the facility on 06.04.26 and met with Paige Woodard, Program Director, and conducted a Health and Safety Inspection. During the course of the investigation, LPA interviewed 2 minors, one CASA worker, 8 staff, and 3 other confidential interviews. LPA reviewed records including Placement Roster, case notes, prior complaint history, Serious Incident Reports, CFT notes, Needs and Service Plans for 1 minor, Attendance record and Personnel Schedule, Employee Corrective Disciplinary Action, photos and videos, police report, case notes, emails, and clinical treatment plan for 1 minor. It was alleged that due to lack of supervision, a minor gained access to flammable materials and intentionally set a major fire. Interviews and records reviewed indicate that the ratio of staff to minors was not in compliance. Per regulation, from the hours of 7am to 10pm, staff to minor ratio is to be 1 staff for every 4 minors. However, at the time the fire was set, 9-9:30pm, there were 2 staff on duty for 10 minors. As a result, a minor was able to sneak out of a bathroom and walk across campus to gain access to flares which were kept in a locked facility van. The minor ...

Substantiated : 87061(b)

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tina Thorn arrived unannounced at the facility on 02.25.26 for the purpose of delivering findings for the complaint investigation. LPA met with Paige Woodard by phone and Columbus Bender in person. LPA Thorn conducted the complaint investigation. LPA Thorn initiated the investigation with the facility on 01.29.26 and met with Paige Woodard, Program Director, and conducted a Health and Safety Inspection. During the course of the investigation, LPA interviewed one youth, three staff, and one other confidential interview. LPA reviewed records from the facility including prior complaint history, Serious Incident Reports, CFT notes and Needs and Service Plans for one youth and email correspondence. It was alleged that staff did not report an incident in a timely manner. Records reviewed show that an incident on January 7, 2026, involving two minors and use of a restraint was reported to the department but was not reported to the authorized representative by facility staff. Records reviewed indicate that the representative had to request that the report be sent to them after hearing about the incident from the youth on January 13, 2026. Records also show that a 24-hour report for an incident that occurred on February 11, 2026, was not submitted to the department or authorized representative. All staff interviewed demonstrated knowledge of the facility's incident reporting policies. Based on LPA interviews which were conducted, and records reviewed ...

Substantiated (one of several allegations) : 80028(a), 87072(c)(17), 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, Three staff, and one client. LPA reviewed records including: Needs and Services Plan for one client, Intake form for one client, LIC 500, Placing Agency Contacts, Staff Training Log, and Incident Reports, and a video. Regarding a lack of supervision for the client the facility submitted an incident report stating that a staff was disciplined for sleeping on night shift. It was alleged that staff made inappropriate comments toward the minors. Client and three 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. During the months of July-September 2024, 11 (24)hour serious incident reports were submitted to the Department without corresponding final reports being submitted. There were five incidents involving restraints which were not reported to the Department. Four staff were unable to explain to the LPA what the process is to report incidents. Based on ...

Substantiated (one of several allegations) : 80028(a), 87072(c)(17), 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, Three staff, and one client. LPA reviewed records including: Needs and Services Plan for one client, Intake form for one client, LIC 500, Placing Agency Contacts, Staff Training Log, and Incident Reports, and a video. Regarding a lack of supervision for the client the facility submitted an incident report stating that a staff was disciplined for sleeping on night shift. It was alleged that staff made inappropriate comments toward the minors. Client and three 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. During the months of July-September 2024, 11 (24)hour serious incident reports were submitted to the Department without corresponding final reports being submitted. There were five incidents involving restraints which were not reported to the Department. Four staff were unable to explain to the LPA what the process is to report incidents. Based on ...