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What you need › Webinar notes › CDSS Community Care Licensing

Tips and Tools to Support Regulatory Compliance

December 2023On-demand webinar26:28 long

Presented December 2023. Rules and deadlines may have changed since; check Rules & laws for the current version.

▶ Listen while you read Tap any ▶ time below to jump there.

A licensing technical support webinar on working with your LPA, using the licensing website, and self-auditing with the CARE tools.

Hosted by

CDSS Community Care Licensing

Presented by

CDSS Technical Support Program

Who it’s for

Licensed family child care homes
Child care centers
All Community Care Licensing facility types

3 things to know

When a regulation is unclear, ask your LPA rather than relying on another provider's advice.
If a family pressures you to break a rule and threatens to call licensing, the presenter suggested telling your LPA and considering writing it down.
LPAs inspect with the CARE tool for your facility type; download it and use it to check yourself first.

Do this

Download the CARE tool for your facility type and start self-audits with your staff now, before your next inspection.

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What to do

When you're unsure how a regulation applies, ask your LPA. If you can't reach them, call the officer of the day at your regional office.▶ 00:03:41
If a family pressures you to break a rule and threatens to call licensing, consider telling your LPA and writing down the conversation; if someone in care could be seriously harmed, you may wish to file an incident report.▶ 00:04:58
Subscribe to licensing updates to get PINs and Quarterly Updates by email.▶ 00:12:09
Download the CARE tool for your facility type, review each domain with your staff, and run your own self-audits.▶ 00:21:19
Keep your files organized and up to date; the LPA reviews files during inspections.▶ 00:19:45

Session notes

In the order it was presented. Open any part.

Working with your LPA and regional office

The session was for all facility types and stressed that licensing's mission is collaborative.▶ 00:01:37
When a regulation is hard to apply, ask your LPA rather than another provider, so you don't get wrong information.▶ 00:03:41
If a client or family pressures you to break a rule and threatens to call licensing, tell your LPA. The LPA can note it, and it can be used if a complaint comes in. Consider writing the conversation down; if it could seriously harm someone in care, you may wish to file an incident report.▶ 00:04:58
LPAs see many facilities and can suggest best practices. Your LPA is both a consultant and an enforcer.▶ 00:06:31
Can't reach your LPA? Contact the officer of the day at your regional office; licensing program managers and regional managers can help too. Ask your LPA how best to reach them.▶ 00:07:01

Finding help on the licensing website

The homepage links to each licensing program. The Child Care Program page links to the Child Care Advocate Program and other provider resources.▶ 00:08:53
Regional office contacts let you reach the officer of the day, licensing program manager or regional office manager.▶ 00:09:57
Licensing sends email blasts with important information; one example was the September 5, 2023 flu and RSV vaccine recommendations.▶ 00:10:15
The laws and regulations link opens the Health and Safety Code and Title 22.▶ 00:10:41
The most common deficiencies list can be used as a self-audit or staff training tool.▶ 00:10:56
Google Translate can translate the website.▶ 00:11:41

Staying informed

Subscribe to licensing updates to get PINs, Quarterly Updates and more.▶ 00:12:13
PINs tell providers about licensing updates and new laws.▶ 00:12:40
Quarterly Updates are newsletters for each program. The fall 2023 edition summarized CARE tool survey feedback from the residential and adult programs.▶ 00:13:13
A stakeholder page lists upcoming licensing meetings and webinars.▶ 00:13:46
The Technical Support Program offers training and resource guides, including on medication management and facility self-assessment.▶ 00:14:04

The CARE tools and their domains

CARE tools were built for the Child Care, Children's Residential and Adult and Senior Care programs. Your LPA uses one at on-site inspections, for a standardized, focused and thorough visit.▶ 00:15:06
Download the tool for your facility type from the CARE tool landing page. Each facility type has its own tool and domains (areas of operation).▶ 00:15:45
Example domains: physical plant, care and supervision, recordkeeping, staffing, personal rights, reporting requirements and food service.▶ 00:16:51
The CARE tool doesn't list every rule you must follow.▶ 00:18:36

What happens at an inspection

Your LPA does a required inspection to review how your facility operates, looking at the whole facility, its upkeep and supplies.▶ 00:18:56
The LPA reviews your files, so keep records organized and current.▶ 00:19:45
The LPA interviews people in care, the facility representative and possibly other staff.▶ 00:20:05
An exit interview follows, where you can discuss any deficiencies and get advice on the findings.▶ 00:20:23
The closing recap called it an 'annual inspection'. How often you are inspected depends on your facility type.▶ 00:25:20Current rule: family child care homes get unannounced inspections at least once every three years (Health & Safety Code §1597.55a, checked 2026-09-22). current rule

Using the CARE tool yourself

Use the tool so you're ready for an inspection at any time, and go through it with your staff.▶ 00:21:19
Run self-audits: give each staff member a domain or rotate domains, and have management do full, scheduled audits through the year.▶ 00:22:08
Don't wait for your LPA's inspection to start.▶ 00:23:06

Questions and contacts

Child care providers can email the Child Care Technical Support Program, or contact their regional office.▶ 00:23:33

Links and what’s next

Community Care Licensing homepage (QR code and link on slides)▶ 00:08:25
Regional office contacts▶ 00:09:47
Licensing eblasts▶ 00:10:12
Laws and regulations (Health and Safety Code, Title 22)▶ 00:10:34
Most common deficiencies▶ 00:10:56
Receive important updates (subscribe)▶ 00:11:50
Provider Information Notices (PINs)▶ 00:12:36
Quarterly Updates newsletters▶ 00:13:10
Stakeholder resources (licensing meetings and webinars)▶ 00:13:46
Technical Support Program resource guides (medication management, facility self-assessment)▶ 00:14:01
CARE tools landing page▶ 00:15:43

Where this comes from

Written from the sources below. It is not an official record of any agency, host or presenter. Links like ▶ 00:41:10 jump to that moment in the recording. ✓ checked means an official source confirms it; ⚠ check means an official source seems to say something different. Everything else is as the presenter said it.

RecordingOfficial recording (YouTube) added 2026-09-23

Every fact and its source (55, 0 checked)

What was said	When	Checked?
The presentation was intended for all Community Care Licensing facility types. tonight's presentation is intended for all CLD facility types	▶ 00:02:28	as said Something wrong?
The Community Care Licensing Division's mission is to promote the health, safety and quality of life of each person in community care. the CLD mission is to promote the health safety and quality of life of each person in Community Care	▶ 00:01:37	as said Something wrong?
The presenter said it is best to ask your LPA for clarity on how to apply a regulation. it is best to reach out to your LPA to ask for clarity and understanding on how to apply the regulation	▶ 00:03:41	as said Something wrong?
The presenter said asking another provider risks getting incorrect information, so it's safer to ask your LPA. you do not want to risk receiving incorrect information so it's safer just to ask your LPA	▶ 00:04:04	as said Something wrong?
If a client or family pressures you to break a regulation and threatens to call licensing, the presenter suggested telling your LPA about it. we would ask you to consider contacting your LPA and letting them know about the experience	▶ 00:04:55	as said Something wrong?
The LPA can document the occurrence, and if a complaint comes in, that information can be included in the investigation. the LPA can document the occurrence and if a complaint does come in this information can be included in the investigation	▶ 00:05:05	as said Something wrong?
The presenter suggested documenting the conversation to record the incident. you should also consider documenting this conversation to record the incident	▶ 00:05:15	as said Something wrong?
If what is being asked might result in significant harm to someone in care, you may wish to file an incident report. if it might result in significant harm to someone in care You may wish to file an incident report	▶ 00:05:24	as said Something wrong?
LPAs visit many facilities and can recommend best practices they have observed. LPA are able to recommend best practices that they've observed	▶ 00:06:31	as said Something wrong?
If you can't reach your LPA, you can contact the officer of the day (OD) at your local regional office. consider contacting the officer of the day or the OD as we like to say at your local regional office	▶ 00:07:01	as said Something wrong?
Licensing program managers and regional managers can also be sources of support. licensing program managers and regional managers may also be considered sources of support	▶ 00:07:14	as said Something wrong?
The presenter suggested asking your LPA the best way to reach them. ask your LPA what is the best way to reach	▶ 00:07:26	as said Something wrong?
The presenter said your LPA is both a consultant and an enforcer of regulations. your LPA is a consultant and enforcer of regulations	▶ 00:07:40	as said Something wrong?
The presenter said Community Care Licensing supports six programs, including child care, adult care, children's residential, home care services and senior care. CCL supports six programs that include adult care child care children's residential Continued Care contracts home care services and the senior care program	▶ 00:08:53	as said Something wrong?
The Child Care Program link on the licensing homepage leads to the Child Care Advocate Program and other resources for child care providers. if you click on the Child Care Program link you will find links to the childcare Advocate programs and other resources for childcare providers	▶ 00:09:28	as said Something wrong?
Regional office contact information lets you reach the officer of the day, licensing program manager or regional office manager. use the regional office contact information to access the officer of the day licensing program manager or regional office manager	▶ 00:09:58	as said Something wrong?
Licensing uses email blasts (eblasts) to share important information with providers. the CCL uses eail blast to share important information to licensing and providers	▶ 00:10:12	as said Something wrong?
An example eblast was the September 5, 2023 influenza and RSV vaccination recommendations. an example of one item with an eblast is September 5th 2023 influenza and RSV vaccination recommendations	▶ 00:10:21	as said Something wrong?
The laws and regulations link gives access to the California Health and Safety Code and Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. you can access a California health and safety code and California code of regulations title 22	▶ 00:10:41	as said Something wrong?
The most common deficiencies list shows compliance challenges and can be used as an audit or staff training tool. the most common deficiencies helps you understand some of the compliance challenges and can be used as a tool to improve your compliance practices	▶ 00:10:56	as said Something wrong?
Google Translate can be used to translate the licensing website's content. Google can be used to translate cclg website content	▶ 00:11:41	as said Something wrong?
Subscribing to licensing updates gets you Provider Information Notices (PINs), quarterly updates and more. when you subscribe to licensing updates you will receive provider information notices	▶ 00:12:09	as said See the rule Something wrong?
PINs are a key way licensing keeps providers informed about licensing updates. pins have been a key way for CCL to keep providers informed about licensing updates	▶ 00:12:36	as said See the rule Something wrong?
Each program sends PINs to tell providers about new laws. each program sends out pins to inform providers about new laws	▶ 00:13:01	as said Something wrong?
Licensing publishes quarterly newsletters (Quarterly Updates) for the Child Care, Children's Residential and Adult and Senior Care programs. CCL publishes quarterly newsletters for Child Care Program children's residential program adult Senior Care Program providers and stakeholders	▶ 00:13:10	as said Something wrong?
The fall 2023 Quarterly Update included the deputy director's summary of CARE tool survey feedback from the children's residential and adult and senior care programs. in the fall of 2023 update CCL deputy director Kevin gains shared a brief summary on children residential and adult Senior Care Program feedback related to the care tool survey	▶ 00:13:29	as said Something wrong?
A stakeholder resources link lists upcoming licensing meetings and webinars. inform providers and stakeholders of upcoming licensing meetings and webinars	▶ 00:13:46	as said Something wrong?
The Technical Support Program offers training and support to providers, and resource guides on topics such as medication management and facility self-assessment tools. we offer training and support to providers by clicking on the tsp link will give you more information about our services and tsp produced resource guys on various topics such as medication management and facility self assessment tools	▶ 00:14:01	as said Something wrong?
Community Care Licensing developed CARE (Compliance and Regulatory Enforcement) tools for the Adult and Senior Care, Children's Residential and Child Care programs. CLD developed the care tools for use in the adult and Senior Care Program the children's residential program and also the Child Care Program	▶ 00:15:06	as said Something wrong?
Your LPA uses the CARE tool during on-site inspections. these tools will be used by your LPA when they conduct an on-site inspection at your facility	▶ 00:15:16	as said Something wrong?
The CARE tools are designed for a standardized, focused and thorough inspection. designed to facilitate a standardized focused and thorough inspection	▶ 00:15:23	as said Something wrong?
The CARE tool landing page lets you download the tool for your facility type. find and download the care tool that is specific to your facility type	▶ 00:15:48	as said Something wrong?
The CARE tool organizes requirements into domains; a domain is an area of operation within a facility. a domain is an area of operation within a facility	▶ 00:16:05	as said Something wrong?
Each facility type has its own CARE tool with its own set of domains. each facility type will have its own care tool with its own unique set of domains	▶ 00:16:17	as said Something wrong?
The care and supervision domain may cover protecting individuals in care, personal hygiene, medications and line-of-sight observation. care and supervision domain and it might address requirements around the protection of individuals in care	▶ 00:17:02	as said Something wrong?
The recordkeeping domain covers staff and child files and other records kept at the facility. the recordkeeping domain will have requirements pertaining to the maintenance of Staff child resident or client files	▶ 00:17:19	as said Something wrong?
The reporting requirements domain covers reporting incidents and notifying licensing of certain changes. the reporting requirements domain you'll find requirements for reporting incidences or notifying the department of certain changes	▶ 00:18:04	as said Something wrong?
The physical plant domain can include requirements on the maintenance and operation of the facility. first we have the physical plant domain this domain can include any requirements that are related to the maintenance and operation of your facility	▶ 00:16:51	as said Something wrong?
The personal rights domain reviews requirements for preserving personal rights and treating people in care with dignity and respect. the personal rights domain will review regulatory requirements to ensure providers are preserving personal rights	▶ 00:17:51	as said Something wrong?
The food service domain looks at requirements for food safety and service. the Food Service domain will be looking for requirements around food safety and service	▶ 00:18:15	as said Something wrong?
The CARE tool does not contain all the statutes, regulations or licensing standards a provider must follow. the care tool does not contain all applicable statutes regulations or licensing standards with which a provider is required to comply	▶ 00:18:38	as said Something wrong?
Your LPA conducts a required inspection to routinely review your facility's operations. conduct a required inspection to routinely review the operations of your facility	▶ 00:18:59	as said Something wrong?
During the inspection the LPA inspects the entire facility and its overall maintenance and operation. your LPA will inspect the entire facility and its overall maintenance and operation	▶ 00:19:23	as said Something wrong?
The LPA reviews facility files to make sure required forms and verifications are present. your LPA will also review facility files this file review is necessary to ensure all required forms and verifications are present	▶ 00:19:45	as said Something wrong?
The LPA interviews people in care, the facility representative, and possibly other staff on duty. conduct interviews with clients or residents in care and they will interview the facility representative and potentially additional staff on duty	▶ 00:20:07	as said Something wrong?
After the inspection, the LPA holds an exit interview to discuss any deficiencies and give consultation on the findings. the LPA will conduct an exit interview with the facility representative this exit interview allows the facility representative an opportunity to discuss and understand any deficiencies identified and receive consultation from the LPA on the inspection findings	▶ 00:20:23	as said Something wrong?
You can use the CARE tool to be prepared for an inspection at any time. you can use the care tool to be prepared for an inspection visit at any time	▶ 00:21:19	as said Something wrong?
The presenter suggested familiarizing your staff with the CARE tool. familiarize your staff with the car tool	▶ 00:21:43	as said Something wrong?
The presenter suggested using the tool to conduct self-audits and assessments of your facility. begin using the tool to conduct self Audits and assessments of your facility	▶ 00:22:08	as said Something wrong?
The presenter suggested assigning each staff member a domain to self-assess, or rotating domains. assigning staff a domain they're responsible for	▶ 00:22:17	as said Something wrong?
The presenter said administrative staff and management should also run full, scheduled CARE tool audits throughout the year. administrative staff and upper management should also be conducting full comprehensive and scheduled car to audits throughout the year	▶ 00:22:46	as said Something wrong?
The presenter recommended not waiting for an LPA inspection to start using the tool. we highly recommend that you don't wait for an inspection from your LPA to start using the tool	▶ 00:23:07	as said Something wrong?
The closing summary described the inspection as an annual inspection. what to expect during an annual inspection	▶ 00:25:20	as said Something wrong?
Child care providers can email the Child Care Technical Support Program with questions (address garbled in the captions). Childcare technical support at dss.com for child care facilities	▶ 00:23:33	as said Something wrong?
If a question isn't answered, reach out to your regional office. please reach out to your regional office	▶ 00:26:10	as said Something wrong?