TITLE: REPORTING OF ABUSE, NEGLECT OR MISTREATMENT Policy 2.1 Rev. July 2023
PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all Kokua Services’ employees, volunteers, interns and work study students understand that they are “mandatory reporters” and are required by law to report observed or suspected abuse, neglect, abandonment, exploitation or financial exploitation of vulnerable adults and children. A. REPORTING ABUSE Any employee, volunteer, intern or work study student that suspects or observes abuse, neglect, abandonment or exploitation of a client must report that abuse or neglect to Residential Care Services within 24 hours. Individuals are also required to report any client bruises or injuries of unknown origin that require treatment beyond first aid. The report must be phoned into the Complaint Line at 1-800-562-6078. A report of abuse must include a description of the incident, the name of the victim, name of the alleged perpetrator, the address and telephone of the victim, the name of the client’s DDA case manager. A person making a report has the right to request anonymity when making a report. All employees are responsible to understand their responsibilities as mandatory reporters and to fulfill those responsibilities. Failure to report may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. Alternatively staff may report via RCS online at: https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/altsaapps/OCR/facilityOCR.FacRptInputFacility.executeLoa d.action Note: Kokua’s provider code for reporting is 2011069 Client Program Coordinators or other staff providing follow-up to an incident of suspected abuse or neglect should fax the follow-up material to the CRU (crisis resolution unit). If there is reason to believe that there has been physical or sexual assault of a vulnerable adult, financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, violation of a no-contact order held by a vulnerable adult or any alleged crime against a vulnerable adult, local law enforcement must also be notified immediately, or as soon as the safety of the client is assured. B. APS/RCS INVESTIGATIONS Staff persons, volunteers, interns or work study students are prohibited by law from releasing any information regarding an ongoing abuse/neglect investigation. This prohibition includes discussing the report with anyone, even the client’s guardian. If a guardian or family member requests information, they are to be given only the name and phone number of the social worker conducting the investigation. C. EMERGENCY PROTECTION OF CLIENTS In any emergency, the first priority for all Kokua Services staff must always be protection of the client. Emergency protection includes, but is not limited to: 1. Immediate face-to-face contact at the scene. 2. Locating and transporting the client to a safe location.