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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198021431
Report Date: 05/20/2026
Date Signed: 05/20/2026 10:10:30 AM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
03/20/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Kruz Long
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20260320142953
FACILITY NAME:SOUTH HILLS ACADEMYFACILITY NUMBER:
198021431
ADMINISTRATOR:ANASTA FACUNFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:1600 E. FRANCISQUITO AVE.TELEPHONE:
(626) 919-2000
CITY:WEST COVINASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91791
CAPACITY:120CENSUS: 67DATE:
05/20/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:00 AM
MET WITH:Director Martha MaciasTIME COMPLETED:
10:30 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Rugs in the classroom causes a tripping hazard.
Broken toys and bench not discarded.
Staff speaks inappropriately to children.
Unqualified Staff.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 05/20/2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Kruz Long conducted an unannounced complaint visit to the facility for the purpose of delivering complaint findings for the above allegations. Upon arrival, LPA met with Director Martha Macias and explained the purpose of the visit.

During the investigation, LPA obtained/reviewed a copy of the children roster, Staff records, toured the classrooms and outdoor play yard with Staff #1 (S1), interviewed Staff #1(S1) to Staff #6(S6) in the office and interviewed Child #1(C1) to Child #5(C5) in the office. LPA also interviewed Parent #1(P1) to Parent #3(P3).

Regarding the allegation: Rugs in the classroom causes a tripping hazard. Reporting Party (RP) alleged that there are rugs that are not secured and they are not taped down. According to RP this creates a potential tripping hazard and is unsure if there have been previous incidents relating to the raised rug. LPA toured classrooms 126 and 130 with S1 and observed rugs with corners and edges curled up which could pose a tripping hazard. Per interview with S4, there had been multiple occasions where children tripped on the rugs.

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Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kruz Long
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/20/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/20/2026
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 6
Control Number 33-CC-20260320142953
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
FACILITY NAME: SOUTH HILLS ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 198021431
VISIT DATE: 05/20/2026
NARRATIVE
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Regarding the allegation: Broken toys and bench not discarded. Reporting Party (RP) alleged that there are broken toys in the outdoor play area that have not been properly discarded. There is a blue and yellow bench that a student fell off of because the seating part of the bench is broken. LPA toured the outdoor play area with S1 and did not observe broken toys in the outdoor play yard. LPA observed a blue/yellow children sized picnic table/bench with connected benches (picnic table/bench) with seating on both sides of the table. Seating on one side was observed to not be properly secured due to missing screws. Interview with S4 indicated that a child has fallen from the bench but did not cause serious injury.

Regarding the allegation: Staff speaks inappropriately to children. Reporting Party (RP) alleged that Staff talks “ugly and aggressive” to the children. LPA interviewed S1 to S6. Although all Staff interviewed denied speaking inappropriately to children, S4 indicated that they witnessed S7 and S9 speak inappropriately to children such as yelling. S5 and S6 also indicated that they witnessed S8 speak inappropriately to children such as getting upset and speaking really loud to children. Out of 5 children interviewed, C4 indicated that they witnessed S8 scream at C5.

Regarding the allegation: Unqualified Staff. Reporting Party (RP) alleged that facility Director is unqualified. At the time of the initial site visit conducted on 03/26/26, LPA requested a copy of documents for Director qualifications. After a review of the documents, LPA observed that director qualifications were indeed missing from S1’s file and not readily available.

Based on LPA’s record review, observations and interviews conducted, the preponderance of the evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 & Chapter 1, Article 6 and 7, Section 101233(a)(2), 101239(o)(1), 101223(a)(1) and Heath & Safety Code 1596.866(d)(3) are being cited on the attached LIC9099D

Exit interview conducted with Director Martha Macias and copy of this report and appeal rights provided. A Notice of Site Visit was also provided and must be posted for 30 days.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kruz Long
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/20/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/20/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 6
Control Number 33-CC-20260320142953
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: SOUTH HILLS ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 198021431
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 05/20/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
05/27/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(2)
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101223 Personal Rights
(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights:
(2) To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs.
This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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LPA observed that rugs in 126 was repaired and rugs in 130 has been discarded during today's visit.
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Rugs in classrooms 126 and 130 with corners and edges curled up which could pose a tripping hazard.
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Type B
05/27/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101239(o)(1)
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101239 Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment and Supplies
(o) Playground equipment shall be securely anchored to the ground unless it is portable by design. (1) Equipment shall be maintained in a safe condition, free of sharp, loose or pointed parts.
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Blue/yellow children sized picnic table/bench with connected benches (picnic table/bench) was discard at time of the initial viist.
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This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
Blue/yellow children sized picnic table/bench with connected benches (picnic table/bench) with seating on both sides of the table in the play yard with seating on one side was observed to not be properly secured due to missing screws.
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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: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kruz Long
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/20/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/20/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 6
Control Number 33-CC-20260320142953
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: SOUTH HILLS ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 198021431
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 05/20/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
06/03/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(1)
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101223 Personal Rights
(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 is not met as evidenced by:
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Per Director, all staff will be provided additional training regarding the personal rights of children. Proof of training will be provided to the department by the POC date.
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S4 indicated that they witnessed S7 and S9 speak inappropriately to children such as yelling. S5 and S6 also indicated that they witnessed S8 speak inappropriately to children such as getting upset and speaking really loud to children. Out of 5 children interviewed, C4 indicated that they witnessed S8 scream at C5.
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Type B
06/03/2026
Section Cited
HSC
1596.866(d)(3)
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1596.866
Additional health and safety training; condition of licensure
(d) Completion of the training required pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (b) shall be demonstrated, upon request of the licensing agency, by the following:
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Per Director, qualifying documents will be provided to the LPA by the POC date.
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(3) In addition to training programs specified in paragraphs (1) and (2), training programs or courses in pediatric first aid, pediatric CPR, and preventive health practices offered or ..........
This requirement is not met as evidenced by:LPA observed that director qualifications were missing from S1’s file and not readily available.
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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: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kruz Long
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/20/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/20/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 6 of 6