Incident Reporting for Foster Parents

What is an Incident Report (IR)? Any event affecting a child that is potentially of serious consequence All serious incidents will be reported in TFACTS by DCS staff or provider staff in accordance with DCS policy.

Why do we need to report IRs? Best practice and program fidelity compel DCS to record and track incidents for the children served. Tracking incidents provides both quantitative and qualitative data to monitor and support program efficiency.

Incident Types Abduction Abuse or neglect Arrest of child or youth Arrest of parent, surrogate, or staff person Assault Contraband Emergency mental health services Emergency/urgent medical treatment Medication error Physical restraint Seclusion Runaway (off facility property and out of physical sight of staff)

Abduction A child or youth is taken from the placement by unauthorized individuals (i.e., alleged perpetrators of abuse, non-custodial parents or relatives). This category does not apply to incidents of runaways.

Abduction Case Example The biological parent has an unsupervised visitation with the custodial child. The child was not returned at the appointed time. When called, the parent refused to return the child.

Abuse or Neglect Any person in contact with the youth is alleged to have physically, sexually, or verbally abused or neglected a child or youth. Possible types Environmental neglect Nutritional neglect Lack of supervision Abandonment Sexual contact Adult on child Child on child Drug exposed infant or child Psychological harm/trauma Physical Note: All situations of sexual contact should be reported, even if the child/youth states the contact is consensual.

Abuse or Neglect Case Example Custodial child reports that she and her boyfriend had consensual sex. This should be reported as Abuse and Neglect: Child on Child. Staff does not decide whether or not abuse has occurred. You are required to report the incident.

Arrest Of child or youth Of parent, surrogate, or staff A child or youth is arrested while in the custody or control of DCS, and the arrest has been confirmed by a law enforcement agency Of parent, surrogate, or staff The arrest of a DCS or contract agency staff member, including foster parents or others affiliated with the youth and/or family, that has been confirmed by a law enforcement agency Considerations: Outside facility and licensing practice During employment

Assault A willful and malicious attack by a child/youth on another person (this is not meant to include horseplay). Clarification Assault is a physical attack by the child/youth, not by the caregiver/foster parent (see abuse/neglect). It is not a verbal threat and does not include sexual contact (see abuse/neglect).

Contraband Any item possessed by a child/youth or found within the placement location that is prohibited by law or by the rules/regulations of the placement location and is rationally related to legitimate security, safety, or treatment concerns. Possible types Tobacco Alcohol Illegal drugs Prescription drugs Drug paraphernalia Weapons Clarification: Each incident of contraband should be reported.

Emergency Medical Treatment A child/youth has been injured or has suffered an illness that requires emergency medical attention. Clarification: This is an unplanned emergency event. A scheduled surgery would not be considered emergency medical treatment.

Medication Error A medication error is when a medication is not administered according to the prescribing provider’s orders and/or according to DCS policy and procedure.

Mental Health Crisis A child or youth has engaged in or experienced: self injurious behavior, suicidal ideation or behavior, homicidal ideation, or behavioral or acute psychotic episode

Physical Restraint The involuntary immobilization of a child/youth without the use of mechanical devices. Reference DCS Policy 27.3

Runaway A child or youth leaves a program without permission and his/her whereabouts are unknown or not sanctioned. Reference DCS Policy 20.10

Seclusion The placement or confinement of an individual alone in a locked room or egress is prevented Reference DCS Policy 27.2 The time-limited placement or confinement of an individual alone in any room or area from which egress is prevented.