Training and Responsibilities Danielle’s Law Training and Responsibilities Danielle’s Law was named after Danielle J. Gruskowski, who lived in a group home. Danielle died after developing a high fever and experiencing difficulty breathing. Because 911 was not called, she did not receive medical treatment in time to save her life. Danielle’s Law emphasizes the importance of calling 911 in a life-threatening emergency. Issued July 2005

Danielle’s Law Anyone who works with individuals with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injury must call 911 in life-threatening emergencies. Danielle’s Law applies to the following direct care staff: Community Care Residence Providers Direct care staff and health professionals in state facilities, developmental centers or brain injury programs Agency staff in residential, respite, day program, or other contracted services Tutors

Danielle’s Law Penalties Staff may lose their jobs or pay a large monetary fine if they fail to call 911 Individuals who violate Danielle’s Law may be fined. Staff who are licensed health care professionals who violate Danielle’s Law may lose their license. Health Care Professionals may lose their licenses

Definition of a Life-threatening Emergency An occurrence or threat of a potentially fatal injury Impairment to a bodily function The definition of “life-threatening” includes situations in which death may be imminent, and situations in which there is an injury to bodily functions or a body part. For example, a burn situation may be life- threatening due to the risk of infection. Dysfunction of a bodily organ or part

Employee/Provider Responsibilities Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies File an incident report according to Department and Division procedures After calling 911 for a life-threatening emergency, the call must be reported to DDD Regional Office or the Critical Incident Management Unit (TBI programs) as a Incident Report. A record of all calls should be kept on file. Maintain a record of all 911 calls

Services Responsibilities Department of Human Services Responsibilities Ensures training is provided to service providers Maintains records of provider calls to 911 This training will fulfill the requirements of Danielle’s Law. The training was designed to be utilized for Community Care Residences and will be made available for provider agencies, traumatic brain injury programs, and developmental center staff. Reviews potential violations of Danielle’s Law

Services Responsibilities Department of Human Services Responsibilities (continued) Maintains records of all violations Reviews violation records when licenses and contracts are issued or renewed The Department of Human Services has a process in place for reviewing violations of Danielle’s Law and is maintaining a record of violations which can be utilized to make decisions regarding licensing of programs.

Civil Penalties to Individual Violators of Danielle’s Law First offense: $5,000.00 Second offense: $10,000.00 The penalties for violation of Danielle’s Law are severe. No one can afford not to call 911 in event of a life-threatening emergency. Each individual who violates the law is subject to a possible fine. Third and each subsequent offense: $25,000.00

Life-threatening Events How to Respond to Life-threatening Events Check – for a life-threatening situation Call – 911 Care – follow the directions of Emergency Responders The procedure for response to a life-threatening emergency is consistent with the American Red Cross Standard First Aid training. Check the individual for symptoms of a life-threatening emergency Call 911 and follow the directions of the EMS dispatcher. Provide care that you were trained to do if you have completed a standard first aid or CPR course.

Call 911 for Life-threatening Emergencies Medical Life-threatening Conditions Examples of medical emergencies include the following: (This list does not contain all situations that may be life-threatening.) Is unresponsive to pain or stimuli Is unconscious, unusually confused or seems to be losing consciousness Has trouble breathing, is not breathing, is breathing in a strange way Has persistent fever that doesn’t respond to PRN medication and results in additional symptoms, such as difficulties breathing Has weak pulse or no pulse Has persistent chest pain, discomfort or pressure for more than 3-5 minutes or that goes away and comes back Has severe or uncontrollable bleeding from any body part (leg or arm) Has weak. low, or no blood pressure Has visible or non visible signs of a break or fracture to a major limb or bone. (Non-visible, body part or limb is not functioning normal) Complains of sudden onset of severe headache or has unusually slurred speech Has a seizure that lasts more than five minutes, recurs, results in injury or occurs in someone who is pregnant or diabetic. Also call if it is the first seizure or if there are multiple seizures. Has serious injuries to head, neck, or back Unsafe Situations

Call 911 in Unsafe Situations as Indicated in Red Cross Training Fire or explosion Downed electrical wires Possible poisonous agents Natural gas odor in the building This list does not include all situations that may be unsafe and are potentially life-threatening. The American Red Cross Training provides these examples of when 911 should be called. Situations in which a natural gas odor in the building occurs may be very dangerous, and require that staff follow the emergency procedures recommended by the utility company. In the event of a fire in the building or a natural gas odor in the building, leave the building and call 911 from a safe area outside of the building. Included in this list are situations in which licensing regulations require a 911 response. Terrorist type threats or acts, such as bomb threat, bio-toxic agents

Danielle’s Law Penalties No Call to 911 = VIOLATION It is important to note that a delay in calling 911 is also a violation. The Department of Human Services has a process in place for reviewing incidents to determine if a Danielle’s Law violation has occurred. Delayed Call to 911 = VIOLATION

911 Call When In Doubt Danielle’s Law Remember that when Danielle’s situation occurred, she had a high fever, was perspiring profusely, and was gasping for air. Staff did not call 911. Don’t let anyone discourage you from making a call to 911 if you think it is a life-threatening emergency.

DDD Regional Offices Northern Region Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Sussex, Morris, and Warren Counties (973) 927-2600 (Flanders Office) (973) 977-4004 (Paterson Office) Lower Central Region Mercer, Middlesex, Ocean, Hunterdon and Monmouth Counties (609) 292-1922 (Trenton Office) (732)863-4500 (Freehold Office) Southern Region Burlington, Camden, Atlantic, Salem, Cape May, Gloucester, and Cumberland Counties (856) 770-5900 (Voorhees Office) (609) 476-5200(Mays Landing Office) Upper Central Region Essex, Somerset, and Union Counties (908) 266-7800 When a life-threatening emergency occurs, and 911 is called, the case manager can be contacted at your county regional office, during the working hours or you can speak to the On-Call worker after hours and on the holidays.