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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304370788
Report Date: 12/08/2025
Date Signed: 12/08/2025 08:42:19 AM

Document Has Been Signed on 12/08/2025 08:42 AM - It Cannot Be Edited

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT		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 TOGETHERFACILITY NUMBER:
304370788
ADMINISTRATOR/
DIRECTOR:		KARINA CHAVEZFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:201 E CIVIC CENTER DRIVETELEPHONE:
(714) 479-0294
CITY:SANTA ANASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92701
CAPACITY: 84TOTAL ENROLLED CHILDREN: 84CENSUS: 25DATE:
12/08/2025
TYPE OF VISIT:Case Management - IncidentUNANNOUNCEDTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION BEGAN:
08:10 AM
MET WITH:Director, Karina ChavezTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION COMPLETED:
08:50 AM
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Cynthia Sun conducted an unannounced follow-up case management inspection in response to a self-report Unusual Incident dated 10/30/2025. LPA met with Director, Karina Chavez and informed the purpose of today’s case management initiated on 10/30/2025. Census was taken as follows: in Pre-K, 2 staff supervising 6 preschool children, in room Pre-3, 2 staff supervising 5 preschool children, in room Pre-2, 2 staff supervising 7 children in the classroom and Pre-1, 2 staff supervising 7 children. Children were in classrooms working on activities.

A review of staff criminal clearance records on this date indicates that all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal records and child abuse index clearances or exemptions.

The Regional office received an Unusual Incident Report (UIR) on 10/30/2025. UIR was reported by Director Karina Chavez. According to Director Child #1 (C1) was hit by staff #1 (S1). C1 did not state where C1 was hit. C1’s Parent #1 (P1) stated that C1 informed Social Worker during home visit that C1 was hit by S1. P1 also stated that when C1 was questioned by adult #1 (A1) C1 stated C1 was lying about S1 hitting C1.

On 11/04/2025, LPA interviewed 3 staff and 3 out of 3 staff stated “no”, to witnessing any other staff hitting children in care. 3 out of 3 staff stated they have not witnessed any teacher handling a child in a rough manner.


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NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Thuy Ho
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Cynthia Sun
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST 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.

LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
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California Health & Human Services Agency
California Department of Social Services

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT California law requires a public report of each licensing visit/inspection. This report is a record for the facility and the licensing agency. This report is available for public review; therefore, care is taken not to disclose personal or confidential information. Inquiries concerning the location, maintenance, and contents of these reports may be directed to the Licensing Program Analyst or Regional Office whose address and telephone number are listed on the front of this form.

DEFICIENCIES A deficiency is an instance of noncompliance with licensing requirements, including applicable statutes, regulations, interim licensing standards, operating standards, and written directives. Applicants/ licensees must be notified in writing of all licensing deficiencies. Deficiencies are listed on the left side of this form, and the applicable licensing requirement upon which the deficiency is identified. There are two types of deficiencies:
  • Type A deficiencies are violations of licensing requirements that, if not corrected, have a direct and immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of persons in care.
  • Type B deficiencies are violations of licensing requirements that, without correction, could become a risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of persons in care, a recordkeeping violation that could impact the care of said persons and/or protection of their resources, or a violation that could impact those services required to meet the needs of persons in care.

PLANS OF CORRECTION (POCs) The licensing agency is required to establish a reasonable length of time to correct a deficiency. In order to set the time, the licensing agency must take into consideration the seriousness of the violation, the number of persons in care involved, and the availability of equipment and personnel necessary to correct the violation. Applicants/licensees are requested to provide a specific plan for each violation on the right side of the form across from each deficiency. The more specific the plan, the less chance exists for any misunderstanding in setting time limits and reviewing corrections. The applicant/licensee who encounters problems beyond their control in completing the corrections within the specified time frame may request and may be granted an extension of the correction due date by the licensing agency.

CORRECTION NOTIFICATION The applicant/licensee is responsible for completing all corrections and promptly notifying the licensing agency of corrections. Applicants/licensees are advised to keep a dated copy of any correspondence sent to the licensing agency concerning corrections, or if corrections are telephoned to the licensing agency, the date, person contacted, and information given.

CIVIL PENALTIES The licensing agency is required by law to issue a Penalty Notice, when applicable, to all facilities holding a license issued by the licensing agency, or subject to licensure, except Certified Family Homes, Resource Families, and Foster Family Homes, or any governmental entity.

PENALTY NOTICE GIVEN The statement concerning civil penalties serves as a penalty notice on this Licensing Report and failure to correct cited licensing deficiencies will result in civil penalties. Applicants/ licensees are required to pay civil penalties when administrative appeals have been exhausted and in accordance with any payment arrangements made with the licensing agency.

APPEAL RIGHTS The applicant/licensee has a right without prejudice to discuss any disagreement in this report with the licensing agency concerning the proper application of licensing requirements. The applicant/ licensee may request a formal review by the licensing agency to amend or dismiss the notice of deficiency and/ or civil penalty. Requests for review shall be made in writing within 15 business days of receipt of a deficiency notification or civil penalty assessment. Licensing deficiencies may be appealed pursuant to the procedures in the LIC 9058 Applicant/Licensee Rights.

AGENCY REVIEW The licensing agency review of an appeal may be conducted based upon information provided in writing by the applicant/licensee. The applicant/licensee may request an office meeting to provide additional information. The applicant/licensee will be notified in writing of the results of the agency review within 60 business days of the date when all necessary information has been provided to the licensing agency.

EMAIL REQUIREMENT Adult Community Care Facilities, Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically Ill, and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly are required to provide and maintain an active email address of record with the licensing agency.

LIC809 (FAS) - (09/23)
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION 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
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LPA asked staff how S1’s interactions are with children. 3 out of 3 staff stated S1 interactions with children are good. Staff 3 (S3) stated “S1 is really good and soft spoken. S1 speaks more in Spanish to children. S1 is really good at regulating children”. Staff 2 (S2) stated “S1 is really kind. S1 is soft spoken with children. S1 majored in psychology that helps us to work and understand children. S1 is kindhearted with children and parents”.

In the parent interview, P1 stated C1 told Adult #2 (A2) that S1 had hit C1 at the daycare. P1 stated “I honestly, don’t feel that C1 is being hit or hurt at school by anyone. C1 loves his teachers; C1 always hugs and goes to S1. I feel that if C1 was being hit, C1 would not want to go to school and C1 would tell me. Everything seems fine at school. C1 was questioned by Adult #1 (A1) and C1 admitted to A1 that C1 was not hit by S1.” A1 stated A1 sees C1 loves school and teachers. C1 is not afraid to go to school, C1 is not afraid of teachers, C1 doesn’t have any marks or bruises.

On 11/04/2025, LPA interviewed the social worker who stated during home visit, C1 disclosed that S1 was mean and had hit C1 on the arm. During that same visit, C1 then admitted to the social worker that C1 was not hit by S1 at school. The social worker stated “I really don’t think anything is happening and I don’t think C1 is being hit at school”. On 11/18/25, the social worker confirmed with the manager who instructed the social worker to close the case because C1 recanted information.
On 11/18/25, the social worker visited C1 at the facility and conducted observation in C1’s classroom. The social worker stated C1 was with S1 during the entire classroom observation. C1 was loving with S1, very affectionate, and played with S1 in classroom areas. When the social worker asked C1 who are you most comfortable with in the classroom C1 answered S1. The social worker stated C1 is very active and probably did something C1 was not supposed to do and did not like S1 re-directing C1.

On 11/04/25, LPA attempted to interview children, three (3) children qualified for interview. Children did not make any disclosures regarding unusual incident.

LPA interviewed 5 facility parents who disclosed they were satisfied with the program and did not add information regarding incident.

Based on LPA’s interviews and record review, there was no evidence to support the parent’s disclosure that S1 hit C1. The facility was in compliance with regulations, and no deficiency was observed.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Licensee 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.

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NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Thuy Ho
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Cynthia Sun
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST 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
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
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