# Tips and Tools to Support Regulatory Compliance Hosted by: CDSS Community Care Licensing (https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing) Presented by: CDSS Technical Support Program Date: 2023-12 · Length: 26:28 Web page: https://childcare.support/t/cdss-compliance-tips-tools/ NOTE: Presented December 2023. Rules and deadlines may have changed since; check Rules & laws for the current version. ## What it is A licensing technical support webinar on working with your LPA, using the licensing website, and self-auditing with the CARE tools. ## 3 things to know - When a regulation is unclear, ask your LPA rather than relying on another provider's advice. [presenter said at 00:03:41, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:04:04, not independently confirmed] - 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. [presenter said at 00:04:55, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:05:05, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:05:15, not independently confirmed] - LPAs inspect with the CARE tool for your facility type; download it and use it to check yourself first. [presenter said at 00:15:16, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:15:48, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:21:19, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:22:08, not independently confirmed] ## 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. [presenter said at 00:03:41, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:04:04, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:07:01, not independently confirmed] - 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. [presenter said at 00:04:55, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:05:05, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:05:15, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:05:24, not independently confirmed] - Subscribe to licensing updates to get PINs and Quarterly Updates by email. [presenter said at 00:12:09, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:12:36, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:13:01, not independently confirmed] - Download the CARE tool for your facility type, review each domain with your staff, and run your own self-audits. [presenter said at 00:15:48, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:21:19, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:21:43, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:22:08, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:22:17, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:22:46, not independently confirmed] - Keep your files organized and up to date; the LPA reviews files during inspections. [presenter said at 00:19:45, not independently confirmed] ## Working with your LPA and regional office - The session was for all facility types and stressed that licensing's mission is collaborative. [presenter said at 00:02:28, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:01:37, not independently confirmed] - When a regulation is hard to apply, ask your LPA rather than another provider, so you don't get wrong information. [presenter said at 00:03:41, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:04:04, not independently confirmed] - 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. [presenter said at 00:04:55, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:05:05, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:05:15, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:05:24, not independently confirmed] - LPAs see many facilities and can suggest best practices. Your LPA is both a consultant and an enforcer. [presenter said at 00:06:31, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:07:40, not independently confirmed] - 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. [presenter said at 00:07:01, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:07:14, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:07:26, not independently confirmed] ## 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. [presenter said at 00:08:53, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:09:28, not independently confirmed] - Regional office contacts let you reach the officer of the day, licensing program manager or regional office manager. [presenter said at 00:09:58, not independently confirmed] - Licensing sends email blasts with important information; one example was the September 5, 2023 flu and RSV vaccine recommendations. [presenter said at 00:10:12, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:10:21, not independently confirmed] - The laws and regulations link opens the Health and Safety Code and Title 22. [presenter said at 00:10:41, not independently confirmed] - The most common deficiencies list can be used as a self-audit or staff training tool. [presenter said at 00:10:56, not independently confirmed] - Google Translate can translate the website. [presenter said at 00:11:41, not independently confirmed] ## Staying informed - Subscribe to licensing updates to get PINs, Quarterly Updates and more. [presenter said at 00:12:09, not independently confirmed] - PINs tell providers about licensing updates and new laws. [presenter said at 00:12:36, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:13:01, not independently confirmed] - Quarterly Updates are newsletters for each program. The fall 2023 edition summarized CARE tool survey feedback from the residential and adult programs. [presenter said at 00:13:10, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:13:29, not independently confirmed] - A stakeholder page lists upcoming licensing meetings and webinars. [presenter said at 00:13:46, not independently confirmed] - The Technical Support Program offers training and resource guides, including on medication management and facility self-assessment. [presenter said at 00:14:01, not independently confirmed] ## 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. [presenter said at 00:15:06, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:15:16, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:15:23, not independently confirmed] - 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). [presenter said at 00:15:48, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:16:05, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:16:17, not independently confirmed] - Example domains: physical plant, care and supervision, recordkeeping, staffing, personal rights, reporting requirements and food service. [presenter said at 00:17:02, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:17:19, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:18:04, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:16:51, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:17:51, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:18:15, not independently confirmed] - The CARE tool doesn't list every rule you must follow. [presenter said at 00:18:38, not independently confirmed] ## 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. [presenter said at 00:18:59, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:19:23, not independently confirmed] - The LPA reviews your files, so keep records organized and current. [presenter said at 00:19:45, not independently confirmed] - The LPA interviews people in care, the facility representative and possibly other staff. [presenter said at 00:20:07, not independently confirmed] - An exit interview follows, where you can discuss any deficiencies and get advice on the findings. [presenter said at 00:20:23, not independently confirmed] - The closing recap called it an 'annual inspection'. How often you are inspected depends on your facility type. [presenter said at 00:25:20, not independently confirmed] [current rule: family child care homes get unannounced inspections at least once every three years (Health & Safety Code §1597.55a, checked 2026-09-22).] ## 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. [presenter said at 00:21:19, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:21:43, not independently confirmed] - Run self-audits: give each staff member a domain or rotate domains, and have management do full, scheduled audits through the year. [presenter said at 00:22:08, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:22:17, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:22:46, not independently confirmed] - Don't wait for your LPA's inspection to start. [presenter said at 00:23:07, not independently confirmed] ## Questions and contacts - Child care providers can email the Child Care Technical Support Program, or contact their regional office. [presenter said at 00:23:33, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:26:10, not independently confirmed] ## Sources - Official recording (YouTube): https://youtu.be/hsnJl0YmdNI Independent notes, not an official record of any agency, host or presenter. Check official sources before acting.