304370788-12-8-2025-06-CC-THOO-DPH32P-20251218165218

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304370788
Report Date: 12/08/2025
Date Signed: 12/08/2025 09:24:06 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
10/23/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Cynthia Sun

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20251023133902

FACILITY NAME:	HANDS TOGETHER		FACILITY NUMBER:	304370788
ADMINISTRATOR:	KARINA CHAVEZ		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	201 E CIVIC CENTER DRIVE		TELEPHONE:	(714) 479-0294
CITY:	SANTA ANA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92701
CAPACITY:	84	CENSUS: 25	DATE:	12/08/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:55 AM
MET WITH:	Director, Karina Chavez		TIME COMPLETED:	09:30 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff caused injury to a daycare child.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 12/8/2025 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Cynthia Sun conducted a visit at 8:55 am to deliver the finding for the complaint allegation of staff caused an injury to a daycare child. This complaint investigation was initiated on 10/27/2025. LPA met with Director, Karina Chavez. The overall census was taken as follow: 6 children with 2 staff in Pre. K 3 room, 5 children with 2 staff, in Pre. K2 room, 7 children with 2 staff, in Pre. K1 room 7 children with 2 staff, children were playing in the classrooms.
A review of the Facility Personnel Report Summary on 12/08/2025 indicates all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions.
On 10/23/2025, the Orange County Child Care Office received a complaint alleging staff caused an injury to daycare child #1 (C1). On 10/22/25 Santa Ana Police was dispatched to Children’s Hospital Of Orange (CHOC) because C1 had injury for swelling and bruising to right ear. C1 told parents and officers that one teacher grabbed C1’s ear.
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Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion: 0

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Cynthia Sun
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 12/08/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/08/2025

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 06-CC-20251023133902

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: HANDS TOGETHER	FACILITY NUMBER: 304370788
	VISIT DATE: 12/08/2025

NARRATIVE

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During the investigation, LPA interviewed five (5) staff members, 1 (one) police detective, five (5) parents, and reviewed records which included Child Care Roster, Hands Together Parent Handbook, and three (3) Santa Ana Police Department Police Records (dated: 10/24/25, and 2 records dated 11/15/25).

During the staff interviews, five (5) out of five (5) staff interviewed stated they have not witnessed any staff handling children roughly or hitting children in childcare. LPA asked staff, what do you do to get the child/children’s attention. five (5) out of five (5) staff interviewed stated they go over to children and provide choices for positive alternatives. Staff #2 (S2) stated “I call the children’s name, I get close to children, I speak to the children, for the most part the children listen to me. I talk to children and children will reflect on their choices and actions, and I talk to the child”. Five (5) out of five (5) staff were also asked, have you hit a child in facility. Five (5) out of (5) staff stated “no” to ever hitting a child in facility. Five (5) out of five (5) staff interviewed stated they have not ever physically grabbed a child in facility.

On 10/27/25, LPA Sun attempted to interview Child #1 (C1) however, C1 was did not qualify for an interview. On 10/27/25, LPA attempted to interview six (6) children at facility and only one (1) child qualified for interview. Child did not make any disclosure regarding the above allegation. On 10/27/2025, LPA attempted to interview nine (9) parents however only five (5) parents were available for interviews. The 5 parents were satisfied with the childcare center. The five (5) parents did not make any disclosure regarding the above allegations and did not have any concerns.

LPA reviewed Santa Ana Police Records and spoke to Santa Ana Police Detective who stated OC District Attorneys Office rejected charges on 11/19/25. Detective stated case is closed.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Cynthia Sun
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 12/08/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/08/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 06-CC-20251023133902

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: HANDS TOGETHER	FACILITY NUMBER: 304370788
	VISIT DATE: 12/08/2025

NARRATIVE

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Based on LPAs observations, interviews and record reviews, the preponderance evidence of staff caused an injury to a daycare child has not been met. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director. Notice of Site Visit was posted and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with the posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.

Appeal Rights were explained. The Director was provided with a copy of the appeal rights (LIC 9058) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. All appeals must be in writing and received by the Regional Office within 15 business days. First level appeals should be sent to the regional manager to the address listed above.

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END OF REPORT

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Cynthia Sun
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 12/08/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/08/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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