Villa Alamar, a 740‑type facility in Santa Barbara, serves up to 43 residents, with census figures ranging from 18 to 27 over the period covered. Administratively led by Mitch Leichter, the home has repeatedly undergone unannounced visits by the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division.

During a case‑management investigation on 3/22/2021, a resident (R1) eloped from the premises, and the staff’s supervision was found deficient. The facility also lacked a signed admission agreement for that resident. The agency cited violations of the care‑and‑supervision and admission‑agreement requirements (Sections 87464 and 87507), issued a plan of corrections with due dates of 3/23/2021 and 3/29/2021, and warned that failure to correct could result in civil penalties.

In February 2022 the facility experienced two distinct inspections. An unannounced annual inspection on 2/25/2022 focused on infection control and reported no deficiencies. Three days later, a comprehensive inspection on 2/28/2022 uncovered a failure to verify the criminal‑record clearance of two staff members (S1 and S2), a violation of Section 87355(e)(2). The agency assessed civil penalties and required a plan of correction by 3/1/2022. The inspection also documented that the physical environment, cleanliness, and safety equipment (hard‑wired alarms, properly stocked kitchen, and resident‑rights posters) were in compliance, indicating strong environmental stewardship but gaps in staff credentialing.

The most recent unannounced visit, conducted on 1/30/2023, was a one‑year infection‑control review. The available narrative notes the presence of the associate executive director but does not report any deficiencies, suggesting that the facility maintained its infection‑control standards at that time. Overall, the reports reveal intermittent compliance issues related to resident supervision and staff background checks, while consistently meeting environmental and infection‑control requirements.