Page 37 - Policies and Procedures

e. Caregiver behavior which is out of control and threatening to a child’s safety,
e.g., driving while intoxicated with children in the car or a caregiver who is
not taking prescribed medication.

f. May also be due to drug or alcohol abuse; or a mental, emotional, or physical
problem.

15. Domestic violence is a pattern of assaultive and/or coercive behaviors including
physical, sexual, and emotional abuses, as well as economic coercion that adults use
against their intimate partners to gain power and control in that relationship. The
presence of domestic violence is a risk for children. However, not all situations of
domestic violence requires a report to DCS or law enforcement. DCS has the authority
to intervene with families based on whether a child is being physically abused,
sexually abused, neglected, suffering emotional abuse or is being subjected to an
activity or condition likely to result in substantial harm. If you know a child is
witnessing repeated or serious domestic violence and you are unsure of the impact on
the child, call and consult a DCS screener.

16. Documentation Requirements:

a. All allegations or reports of abuse or neglect must be documented in the
progress note section of the resident’s medical record. In addition, an
Incident Report form must be completed and forwarded to the Executive
Director.

b. Reporting is done immediately after the incident occurs (if witnessed) or as soon
as one becomes aware of such an occurrence (receiving information from
another person or from the resident themselves.)

c. The Incident Report must be received by the Executive Director no later than
24 hours after the event/notification. However, the Executive Director would
already know about the event/incident since this policy states that in any
instance of abuse or knowledge of abuse, must be reported to the Executive
Director immediately.

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Hopess – Policy and Procedure Manual