100-9          REPORTING ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Division of Public Assistance (DPA Division of Public Assistance) personnel may suspect abuse or neglect involving adults or children in families applying for or receiving Public Assistance benefits.  Staff will report incidents of suspected abuse or neglect to agencies within the Department of Health and Social Services.  If a report is made, the staff member must carefully document on a Report of Contact (Gen 56A) form the event observed and how/when it was reported, including the names of any other witnesses.

100-9 A.      CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Division of Public Assistance (DPA Division of Public Assistance) staff will report observed or suspected child abuse or neglect as allowed by Alaska Statute (AS 47.17.020).

Because of the potential consequences to an abused or neglected child, the report must be made without delay.  If the situation is one in which the observer cannot be certain that abuse or neglect is occurring, but they suspect it may be occurring, they should discuss their suspicion with their supervisor.  However, no Division of Public Assistance staff member should hesitate to make a report and to thereby allow the Office of Children Services’ worker to determine for themselves if action is necessary.

Anyone who reports a suspected case of child abuse or neglect in good faith is granted immunity from civil and criminal court action, even if the report proves to be erroneous.  Also, there is no violation of confidentiality in reporting a case of suspected abuse or neglect to the Office of Children Services, no matter what Division of Public Assistance program is involved or the client's status with that program.

Common symptoms of child abuse and neglect:

1. Repeated injuries, such as numerous bruises, welts, burns or bites. Parents may seem unconcerned, or offer unlikely explanations of how the injuries occurred or even deny their occurrence.
    

2. Neglected appearance, children who appear badly nourished, quite ill or always unhealthy, or are frequently inadequately clothed.   
    

3. Overly critical parents, who frequently verbally or physically punish, criticize or correct their children, often when there is no indication that correction or punishment is deserved.

100-9 B.      ADULT ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Adult Protective Services in the Division of Senior and Disability Services (DSDS) of the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS Department of Health and Social Services) is the agency responsible for preventing or stopping harm to vulnerable adults.

Alaska law requires that protective services not interfere with the elderly or disabled adults who are capable of caring for themselves.

Vulnerable adults have a physical or mental impairment or condition that prevents them from protecting themselves or from seeking help from someone else.  Alaska law defines vulnerable adults to include adults 18 years of age or older, not just the elderly.  The harm they suffer may result from abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect or self-neglect. The following are examples of things to report:

1. • ABANDONMENT is the desertion of a vulnerable adult by a caregiver.
      

   • ABUSE is the intentional or reckless non-accidental, non-therapeutic infliction of pain, injury, mental distress, or sexual assault.
      

   • EXPLOITATION is the unjust or improper use of another person or their resources for one's own benefit.
      

   • NEGLECT is the intentional failure of a caregiver to provide essential services.
      

   • SELF-NEGLECT is the act or omission by a vulnerable adult that results, or could result, in the deprivation of essential services necessary to maintain minimal mental, emotional, or physical health and safety.  See Alaska Statute 47.24.010-.900 (Amended 1994)

100-9 C.     COMPLETING THE REPORT OF CONTACT FORM

1. The observations and suspicion must be recorded in detail on a Report of Contact (Gen 56A) form.  The record must be as specific and factual as possible.  For example:  "3/15/08.  While she was waiting in the office for an interview, I observed Mrs. X pinch her baby's arm twice, apparently to make it stop crying. The baby's upper arms and his cheeks appeared to be severely bruised and scratched".
    

2. Immediately after completing the Report of Contact (Gen 56A) form, the person making the report must telephone the nearest Office of Children Services or the Adult Protective Services in Anchorage give them an oral report of what was observed, and provide whatever additional information is requested.
    

3. When the call is complete, enter on the Report of Contact form the name of the person to whom the report was made and the date and time of the call, then sign, date and place it in the case file.