CLEARLAKE – The Clearlake Youth Drop-In Center has had to change its hours and the ages of the children it serves following an enforcement action this week by state officials.

Even with the those changes, the center isn't out of the woods yet, and could be facing thousands of dollars in fines if the state decides the facility needs a permit to operate.

The center, located on Golf Avenue, is run by the Lake County Community Action Agency. The agency's executive director, Georgina Lehne, said the center was cited on Tuesday by Terri Jensen, a complaint specialist with the state Department of Social Services' Community Care Licensing Division's Child Care Program, based in Rohnert Park.

Shirley Washington, a spokesperson for the state Department of Social Services, told Lake County News on Friday that the center was cited for operating its after school program without a license.

The center has served children ages 7 through 17, said Lehne.

However, Washington said the children at the center weren't free to come and go as they are supposed to be in a “drop in” center, which doesn't require a license. The facility's operation therefore needed to be licensed as a day care facility.

A plan of correction the Department of Social Services issued called for the center to cease operations immediately or be subjected to a $200-per-day penalty, said Washington.

Lehne said the center was effectively shut down on Tuesday after Jensen filed her report.

The licensing became an issue for the Clearlake center in the wake of a complaint made against the

Parents and Community for Kids (PACK) Community Arts Academy in Middletown, said PACK's director and instructor, Jamie Bracisco.

The academy, which has been running a dance and drama program for about two years, has been preparing to open its youth center on Bush Street in October in partnership with the Lake County Community Action Agency, Bracisco explained.

Bracisco said someone filed a complaint against the center, accusing it of running a day care and after school program without a permit.

Jensen showed up to inspect the facility on Sept. 17, said Bracisco. “We weren't fined or penalized because there was no founding for the claim because we weren't open.”

However, that led to Jensen asking questions about the partner center in Clearlake. “I feel bad it started down here,” said Bracisco.

She added that the PACK center's opening is now on hold until the issues for Clearlake are resolved.

On Wednesday, Lehne sent Jensen a response to her report, along with the handbook, policies and procedures used for the youth center.

She followed that up on Thursday with a letter to Jensen, requesting a license exemption for the youth center.

In order to meet the state's criteria, Lehne said the center must now only serve children ages 10 to 16, and rather than being open five days a week from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., it must reduce its hours to no more than 16.5 per week. The center's new hours will be Monday through Thursday, 2:45 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on Friday from 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

The center will no longer be able to serve 33 children under the age of 10, Lehne said, but arrangements have been made for them to participate in after school programs through the Konocti Unified School District. She added that efforts have been made to contact all of the parents.

Lehne said she's now waiting to see whether or not the exemption will be granted, and is doing her best to comply with all of the state's rules. “I feel this is very important to the community,” she said. “It's really a safe place for these kids to go.”

A copy of Lehne's exemption request letter also was sent to Clearlake City Council members.

“Unfortunately, in the earnest endeavor to create a youth center to help safeguard our youth, an essential element was overlooked,” Said Council member Judy Thein. I hope that the Lake County Community Action Agency and the state can coordinate a favorable resolution to this situation, as the youth center can make a big difference in young people, giving them options beyond partying, drinking and other risk factors.”

A solution appears to be under consideration.

Washington said the Department of Social Services is considering Lehne's Thursday letter as a formal appeal.

A department supervisor will review the appeal within 30 days, Washington said. If they determine the center isn't exempt from licensing, they'll face a $200-per-day civil penalty, which could amount to $6,000 for the 30-day review period.

If the appeal is denied, Lehne added that the center could face a 60- to 90-day licensing process and a temporary shutdown, which would leave many children without a place to go after school.

Lehne said the center will reopen on Monday and continue to operate as a drop-in center, with the new age and hour requirements in place.

She said all youth will be registered and expected to pay a $10 per month fee, but those who can't afford it won't be turned away.

Children ages 10 through 16 who come to the center will still have someone to help them with their homework, as well as opportunities to do crafts, play sports and enjoy snacks, said Lehne.

Because the center is now on the state's radar screen, she said she expects officials will pay another visit to inspect the facility.

When the issues with the drop-in center are settled, Lehne said she expects to have some more alternatives for older children who no longer can access the center.

Lake County Community Action Agency also is moving forward with its plans to work with PACK and a planned youth drop-in center in Clearlake Oaks, Lehne said.

Lehne said keeping the center available is about what's in the best interests of the community's children.

“The key thing to me is, we will resolve this issue,” she said. “This center is here to stay.”

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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