High Desert Haven is a residential care home for the elderly (RCFE) in Ridgecrest, Kern County, California — state license #157209068, with a licensed capacity of 82, listed as closed, change of ownership in the CDSS record we retrieved August 2, 2026. It appears on the DHCS Assisted Living Waiver participant list checked August 9, 2026, so Medi-Cal may help pay for care services here. California has 28 dated inspection and complaint documents on file for this home going back to 2021, the most recent dated March 26, 2025 — published below in full, verbatim and unscored.
The state record lists this licence as “Closed, Change of Ownership”. A closed licence cannot admit residents. We keep closed licences published because “is this place licensed?” deserves an honest answer.
No photo of this home is on file — we show real, attributed images only, never a stock photo of someone else’s building.
Since 2021, the state has visited this home 35 times and filed 28 documents. The most recent — a complaint investigation report on March 26, 2025 — closed with the state’s outcome word: “Substantiated.”
The state's published file for this home includes 10 documents with transcribed findings, dated October 6, 2021 to March 26, 2025. 10 of the 10 carry the state's recorded outcome word: “Substantiated” (6), “Unfounded” (1), “Unsubstantiated” (3). 10 include the transcribed allegation the state investigated, word for word.
Summary composed by computer from the 10 documents below — every count derives from them, and the documents themselves are the state's records, verbatim. We never grade, score, or color a record.
What the state’s words mean
Mar 26, 2025Substantiated
Allegation investigated: Resident sustained multiple unexplained injuries while in care Resident sustained multiple falls due to lack of supervision Facility staff left resident lying on the floor
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Shawna Doucette and K.Kaur arrived at the facility unannounced to conduct a subsequent investigation regarding the allegations listed above. LPA(s) was granted into the facility by the Administrator. LPA(s) met with Administrator Linda Poythress. LPA reviewed facility records and medical records. LPA interviewed staff and witnesses. LPA reviewed submitted videos and photos. Based on facility records review, medical records review, and photos, R1 had sustained multiple unexplained injuries. Review of photos and medical records R1 had multple visible injuries with no documentation of how the injuries occurred. Facility submitted an incident report on 09/20/24, however there were no other incident reports submitted. Substantiatedthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Mar 26, 2025 · control 24-AS-20250203125915
Mar 26, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Mar 25, 2025Substantiated
Allegation investigated: Staff verbally abuse residents in care Residents were not accorded dignity in their perosnal relationships with staff Staff do not provide assistance in meeting resident medical needs Staff do not answer resident calls for assistance Staff do not have the knowledge to recognize and respond to problems
Licensing Program Analysts (LPA)'s Shawna Doucette and Kamaldeep Kaur arrived at the facility unannounced to conduct an investigation regarding the allegations listed above. LPA was granted into the facility by the Administrator. LPA met with Administrator Linda Poythress. Based on Interviews, regarding the allegations Staff verbally abuse residents in care and Residents were not accorded dignity in their perosnal relationships with staff, S5 spoke inappropriately to residents on multiple occasions, using profanity towards residents while changing residents. Administrator and Care Coordiantor were notified of the incidents. Based on interviews and observation, regarding allegation Staff do not provide assistance in meeting resident medical needs it was found facility staff did not seek medical attention for 3 out of 5 residents who developed a rash that started in November 2024 with R4 and R5. The rash spread to residents and staff. The rash was not diagnosed until February 2025. Substthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Mar 25, 2025 · control 24-AS-20250110101733
Feb 19, 2025Substantiated
Allegation investigated: Facility staff do not safeguard residents' confidential information
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Shawna Doucette arrived at the facility unannounced to conduct an investigation regarding the allegations listed above. LPA was granted into the facility by the Administrator. LPA met with Administrator Linda Poythress. LPA toured the facility. LPA interviewed staff. LPA observed PPE outside of a residents room. LPA obtained a copy of the staff schedule and infection control plan. LPA reviewed staff schedule and facility personnel report. LPA contacted Kern County Public Health and interviewed Public Health Project Specialist regarding infection control procedures at the facility. LPA interviewed R1. Based on interviews, S3 disclosed R1's medical condition and informed an outside visitor that R1 was not attending R1's medical appointment due to the activity the outside visitor was conducting at the facility. Substantiatedthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Feb 19, 2025 · control 24-AS-20250214111833
Feb 19, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Feb 4, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Dec 11, 2024Substantiated
Allegation investigated: Staff did not provide a copy of the admission agreement to authorized representative Staff did not refund authorized representative
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Shawna Doucette conducted a visit to commence a complaint investigation. LPA identified herself and discussed the purpose of the visit and the elements of the allegations with Administrator Linda Poythress. LPA requested a copy of R1's file. LPA interviewed staff. LPA reviewed R1's file. Based on interviews, texts messages and records review, staff did not provide a copy of the admissions agreement to authorized representative. LPA reviewed text messages between facility Care Coordinator and authorized representative requesting copies of signed agreement with no response from facility Care Coordinator. LPA reviewed Admissions Agreement, which was signed but only partially filled out not listing R1's monthly rent. Substantiatedthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Dec 11, 2024 · control 24-AS-20241206091140
Nov 20, 2024Substantiated
Allegation investigated: Facility staff do not keep the facility clean or sanitary Facility staff increased resident rent beyond the allowed SSI/SSP amount
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Shawna Doucette and Brianna Miranda conducted a visit to commence a complaint investigation. LPA's identified themselves and discussed the purpose of the visit and the elements of the allegations with Care Coordinator Lena Pokol. LPA contacted Administrator via telephone who gave persmission for Care Coordinator to sign for this report. Based on records review and interviews, R1 is on SSI and received a letter stating facility is raising the rent. LPA reviewed R1's admissions agreement, which states R1 pays $3731.77. LPA's interviewed R2 who is also on SSI and R2 recieved a letter from the facility to raise the rent. LPA obtained copies of letters sent out by facility. Based on tour of the facility, staff do not keep facility clean or sanitary. R1's carpet was dirty and trash was found outside in an open trash bag next to the dining door. Facility was cited during the annual inspection on 10/09/24 and 10/10/24. Substantiatedthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Nov 20, 2024 · control 24-AS-20240913133620
Nov 20, 2024Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Oct 10, 2024Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Oct 10, 2024Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Oct 9, 2024Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Sep 16, 2024Substantiated
Allegation investigated: Staff mismanage residents' medication(s). Uncleared staff worked at the facility. Staff do not safeguard residents' personal possessions. Staff speak inappropriately to resident(s) in care.
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Shawna Doucette and Brianna Miranda conducted a visit to commence a complaint investigation. LPA's identified themselves and discussed the purpose of the visit and the elements of the allegations with Administrator Linda Poythress. LPA's toured the facility, obtained copies of the staff schedule, and interviewed staff and residents. Based on records review and interviews, R1's centrally stored log showed a log of 29 pills, however the pill bottle showed an amount of 90 pills. Based on records review in LIS and Guardian, S2, S3 and S4 are not fingerprint cleared in the system. S2 and S3 were working during the time of the visit. S4 was not present, but has been working at the facility for about 2 weeks. Based on interviews, staff are using other residents belongings for another resident if a resident runs out of incontinence supplies. Substantiatedthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Sep 16, 2024 · control 24-AS-20240911100801
Sep 16, 2024Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Oct 10, 2023Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
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Is High Desert Haven licensed?
No — not currently. The CDSS state record checked August 2, 2026 lists High Desert Haven in Ridgecrest (Kern County), California license #157209068, as “Closed, Change Of Ownership”, formerly licensed for 82 residents. State records list 28 inspection and complaint documents since 2021; the most recent, a complaint investigation report dated March 26, 2025, was marked “Substantiated” by the state.
Can High Desert Haven care for dementia, hospice, bedridden, or non-ambulatory residents?
From the CDSS license record, checked August 2, 2026.
The CDSS license record checked August 2, 2026 lists High Desert Haven with clearances for wheelchair / non-ambulatory, dementia / memory care, hospice care, and bedridden. Clearances describe what the license permits, not day-to-day staffing — confirm current scope and availability with the home directly on a tour.
From the California state record. Some approvals are bed- or room-specific — always confirm current scope with the facility.
What the state record says, word for word
Verbatim, from the CDSS license recordAGE RANGE 60 AND OVER; 44 AMBULATORY; 32 NON-AMBULATORY; 6 BEDRIDDEN; ALL ROOMS APPROVED FOR NON-AMBULATORY; ROOMS WITH EXITS TO INSIDE AND OUTSIDE APPROVED FOR BEDRIDDEN; HOSPICE WAIVER APPROVED FOR 10; NEW MANAGEMENT CO; HIGH DESERT HAVEN LLC EFFECTIVE 07/01/2024
How much does High Desert Haven cost?
California's public licensing record does not include High Desert Haven's monthly price, so we never show or estimate one for a specific home. As county-level context only, assisted living in Kern County typically runs $3,500–$5,500/mo and small board-and-care homes $3,000–$5,000/mo (market research compiled June 2026 — ranges, not quotes; California's 2026 SSI/SSP board-and-care payment standard is $1,626.07/month, of which $1,444.07 is the room-and-board portion paid to the home). Ask the home for its own rate sheet and what the base rate includes — or use the cost section at the top of this page.
Does High Desert Haven accept Medi-Cal or the Assisted Living Waiver?
Yes — Medi-Cal can help pay for care at High Desert Haven through California's Assisted Living Waiver (ALW): the home appears on the Department of Health Care Services participant list checked August 9, 2026. The waiver pays for assisted-living care services — not room and board — for eligible Medi-Cal members, and each home takes a limited number of waiver residents, so ask the home about a current ALW opening.
Medi-Cal / ALW homes in Kern County →Assisted living on Medi-Cal in California →See the DHCS list →
75 of 82 beds occupied (91%) when the state visited on March 26, 2025. Availability changes constantly — confirm a current opening with the home.
What do state inspections show for High Desert Haven?
Verbatim from CDSS complaint-investigation reports — the state's own words, never summarized by us. Record checked August 2, 2026.
The CDSS state record checked August 2, 2026 lists 35 state visits and 28 dated documents since 2021 for High Desert Haven; 10 complaint-investigation narratives are transcribed verbatim below. The most recent, dated March 26, 2025, records an allegation the state marked “Substantiated”. Open any entry to read the state's full finding, word for word.
Most licensed homes receive some findings over 36 months; what matters is what was found and whether it was corrected. Counts here are shown compared with homes of similar size, and the state's own words appear in full below.
2025
2024
2022
Transcribed from CDSS complaint-investigation reports · record checked August 2, 2026.
What the state has logged
California has logged 35 state visits for this home as of August 2, 2026. These are the home's own counts, straight from that record — shown beside the statewide median for larger communities (16+ beds), computed across all 1,244 licensed homes of that size, because larger and longer-licensed homes naturally accumulate more visits and reports. They are facts, not a grade — a citation may be minor and since corrected, and an “unsubstantiated” complaint is not a finding of wrongdoing.
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