334809049-9-20-2021-09-CC-KWIS-C7U2A6-20211015171302

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 334809049
Report Date: 09/20/2021
Date Signed: 09/20/2021 02:33:58 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 3737 MAIN ST., SUITE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
08/03/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Laura Mejorado

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 09-CC-20210803101752

FACILITY NAME:	FIRST SCHOOL OF THE DESERT-LA QUINTA		FACILITY NUMBER:	334809049
ADMINISTRATOR:	MARIA MARQUEZ		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	44-996 ADAMS STREET		TELEPHONE:	(760) 772-2996
CITY:	LA QUINTA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92253
CAPACITY:	145	CENSUS: 88	DATE:	09/20/2021
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	02:00 PM
MET WITH:	Maria Marquez		TIME COMPLETED:	02:45 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Personal Rights - Child sustained unexplained injuries while in care.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Laura Mejorado arrived at the facility to deliver the findings of this complaint investigation which was initiated on 08/12/21. LPA met with Director Maria Marquez. LPA toured the facility, took census, and discussed the following with the Director.

During the investigation, LPA made observations, reviewed pertinent documentation and conducted interviews with pertinent parties. During today’s inspection, LPA observed 88 children in care.

It was alleged, a child sustained unexplained injuries while in care.

LPA investigated the allegation and gathered the following information:

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Kimberly Williams
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Laura Mejorado
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/20/2021

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/20/2021

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 4

Control Number 09-CC-20210803101752

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 3737 MAIN ST., SUITE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

FACILITY NAME: FIRST SCHOOL OF THE DESERT-LA QUINTA	FACILITY NUMBER: 334809049
	VISIT DATE: 09/20/2021

NARRATIVE

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

It was reported, during pick up, a child was observed to have a “black eye” and scratches on the right side of their face and no one knew what happened. While conducting interviews, it was disclosed the child did not have any scratches before naptime. During naptime, staff observed the child covered their head with their blanket and was heard crying. Staff removed the blanket from the child’s head, comforted the child, and moved them to a “cooler spot” due to the child being “sweaty” while crying underneath the blanket. During naptime, there was constant supervision and no incidents were observed. The parent arrived during naptime to pick up the child. While staff was getting the child ready for pick up, the scratches on their eye and face were observed. According to interviews, staff explained to the parent, they did not know what happened, but that the injuries must have been self-inflicted by the child during naptime when the child was observed crying underneath their blanket.

Based on information obtained during this investigation through interviews conducted, the review of pertinent documentation (pictures/incident report), and after receiving conflicting information, the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. A finding that the allegation is unsubstantiated means that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the allegation occurred.

An exit interview was conducted with the Director, Appeal Rights were discussed and issued, a copy of this report was provided, and a Notice of Site visit was issued.

The Notice of Site Visit (LIC 9213) shall be posted where the parent/guardian of children enter and exit the facility. The Notice of Site Visit (LIC 9213) must remain posted for 30 days during the hours of operation after each site visit by a licensing representative. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a civil penalty of $100.00.

A copy of this report must be made available for the next three years.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Kimberly Williams
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Laura Mejorado
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/20/2021

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/20/2021

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 4 of 4