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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197419837
Report Date: 09/15/2021
Date Signed: 09/15/2021 10:44:59 AM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/23/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Angelica Ramirez
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 30-CC-20210723110335
FACILITY NAME:LAUNCHING PAD, THEFACILITY NUMBER:
197419837
ADMINISTRATOR:THORSTENSON-ROOT, RFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:3707 DOOLITTLE DRIVETELEPHONE:
(310) 536-0243
CITY:REDONDO BEACHSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90278
CAPACITY:141CENSUS: 40DATE:
09/15/2021
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:00 AM
MET WITH:Charity Parker, DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
11:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff caused injuries to child in care
Staff handled child in a rough manner
Staff yelled at child in care
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 9/15/2021 at 9:00 AM Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Angelica Ramirez arrived at The Launching Pad for the purpose of delivering findings of the complaint received in the El Segundo Regional Office (ESRO) on 7/23/2021. LPA wore a face mask and a health screening was conducted prior to entry into facility. Upon arrival LPA met with Director Charity Parker and Division Vice President Robin Ventimiglia. Director Parker guided LPA on a tour of the facility which houses a preschool, infant, and school-age license. LPA observed the following: eight children in C1 (age two) with three staff, 3 children in C2 (age two) with three staff, eight children in D2 (preschool class) with two staff, and 11 children in D1 (preschool class) with two staff on the playground.
During the course of this investigation, LPA Ramirez obtained the following evidence: interviews conducted with Staff #1, Staff #2, Staff #3, Director, Parent of Child #1, Child #3, photos of alleged injuries caused to Child #1, and a notice of "counsel" for Staff #1 after a personal rights violation occurred on 12/11/2019.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Karren Starks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Angelica Ramirez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2021
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 1 of 3
Control Number 30-CC-20210723110335
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME: LAUNCHING PAD, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 197419837
VISIT DATE: 09/15/2021
NARRATIVE
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The interview with Child #3 revealed that Staff #1 flicked the child on the ear after child did not listen to instructions provided.

Based on interviews conducted with staff, parents, and children, the allegations referenced on this report are Substantiated. A finding of Substantiated means that the allegations are valid because the preponderance of the evidence standard has been met.

During the course of this investigation it was also alleged that Staff #2 flicked children on the ear. During interviews with children and staff, and a review of personnel documents, LPA did not find any corroborating evidence to this allegation therefore no citations or deficiencies are issued regarding Staff #2.

Type A deficiencies were cited during today's inspection regarding the allegations referenced on page one of this report, see LIC9099-D for details.

Each report (documenting a Type A citation shall remain posted for 30 days along with the Notice of Site Visit.

**In addition; A copy of this report must be provided to the authorized representatives of all currently enrolled children and any newly enrolled child for the following 12 months.
The ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF LICENSING REPORTS (LIC9224) shall be signed and kept in each of the children’s records. The report shall be provided no later than the next business day or the next day the child is in care.

Director Parker was advised that the Notice of Site Visit must be posted at the entrance of the facility for a period of 30 days.

Exit interview conducted with Director Parker and Division Vice President Ventimiglia. A copy of this report, notice of site inspection, Appeal Rights (LIC 9058), were explained and will be provided.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Karren Starks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Angelica Ramirez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 30-CC-20210723110335
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: LAUNCHING PAD, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 197419837
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 09/15/2021
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
09/17/2021
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(1)
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Personal Rights. 101223(a)(1). (a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (1) To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: based on interviews
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Staff #1 is currently on Administrative Leave and per the facility, shall not return. The facility agrees to have Regional Managers provide observations throughout all classrooms, provide additional training on proper interaction with children, and mandated reporter training with all staff.
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conducted with staff, parents, and children, and a 2019 personal rights violation by Staff #1, it was found that Staff #1 yelled at child and grabbed child in a rough manner. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to children in care.
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The facility shall provide a written plan with the upcoming date for training for all staff. This information shall be provided to the Department by 9/17/2021.
Type A
09/17/2021
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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Personal Rights. 101223(a)(3). (a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature...
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Staff #1 is currently on Administrative Leave and per the facility, shall not return. The facility agrees to have Regional Managers provide observations throughout all classrooms, provide additional training on proper interaction with children, and mandated reporter training with all staff.
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This requirement was not met as evidenced by: based on interviews conducted with staff, parents, and children, and a 2019 personal rights violation by Staff #1, it was found that Staff #1 yelled at child and grabbed child in a rough manner. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to children in care.
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The facility shall provide a written plan with the upcoming date for training for all staff. This information shall be provided to the Department by 9/17/2021.
Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Karren Starks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Angelica Ramirez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3