Licensing employees (LPAs, Program Managers, Regional Managers, etc.) are state government employees, which means their emails are public records, which anyone can ask to see (though certain private or confidential info in the emails will be redacted or withheld). Several months ago I requested emails and other documents from licensing, and I recently received the first batch of documents, which included emails from the licensing Program Administrator and Assistant Program Administrators (the folks who supervise all the Regional Offices).
Something in the emails was disappointing but not at all surprising. When licensing found out I was trying to help childcare providers to appeal licensing citations, it seems they sought legal advice on how to stop me:
Of course, there’s nothing their Legal Division can do, because it’s perfectly legal to help providers understand how to appeal. But it is scary and discouraging that the agency is so allergic to accountability. We all have the right to challenge their decisions, but they clearly do not want us to.
These emails show that licensing, from top to bottom, simply wants to be obeyed without question. That is wrong.
Get the Licensing Appeal Kit.
Researched & written by a lawyer and preschool owner, for childcare providers.
As a lawyer in private practice, clients used to pay $575 per hour for my time and effort. The guides, templates, research, and real-world appeals in my Licensing Appeal Kit represents over 300 hours of research and work on my part, which I’m making available to every childcare provider in California for the cost of a few children’s books. And for a limited number of providers, I’m offering the Licensing Appeal Kit and a 1-hour consultation with me to talk over any licensing issues whenever they need.
Step-by-Step Guide to Appeal Licensing Citations (eBook only)
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The Licensing Appeal Kit
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