Professional ethics Advocating

Designed toProtect.

 People who suffer from mental and or physical disabilities children, youth and seniors where caregivers are providing services such as personal care, grocery shopping, meal prep and have access to finances, ◦ licensed facility designed to serve children/adults with mental retardation, a physical handicap or functional impairment or… ◦ Regardless of residence is unable or unlikely to report maltreatment because of physical or mental limitations or emotional status.

 Caregiver ◦ Individual or organization who provide care and services to a vulnerable adult or someone who assumes responsibility for individual voluntarily or by contract/agreement  Disability ◦ Mental retardation or related condition, physical handicap or mental impairment or emotional status.

 Licensed facility: ◦ Licensed by the Department of Health or Human Services.  Mandated Reporter ◦ Individuals who, because of job description, are bound by law to report maltreatment  Non-therapeutic: ◦ Does not benefit the individual, intended to harm or exploit.

 Abuse ◦ Assault ◦ Mistreatment ◦ Use of drugs ◦ Solicitation ◦ Prostitution ◦ Criminal Sexual Conduct

 Neglect ◦ Failure to provide  Food  Clothing  Shelter  Health care (except for religious reasons)  Supervision

 Financial Exploitation ◦ Breach of fiduciary obligation by responsible party when expenditures of funds are… ◦ Unauthorized ◦ Unlawful ◦ Deceptive ◦ Withheld ◦ Denied services or basic needs (funds withheld)  Includes ◦ Borrowing ◦ Accepting gifts (not handmade)

 Mandated reporters are ◦ professionals identified by law who MUST make a report if they have reason to believe that the abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult has occurred.  Why we do it ◦ Advocacy  Vulnerable adults cannot or will not report that they are being mistreated

 Failure to Report ◦ Civil penalties ◦ Criminal penalties  No Retaliation ◦ Misdemeanor Contact your supervisor or Human Resources for further instruction.

 Time line ◦ 24 hours to complete reporting process  Document ◦ Facts, Facts, Facts ◦ Incident report ◦ CEP report ◦ Non Public Data  Report to ◦ Supervisor ◦ Operations Manager or Program Director

 Common Entry Point ◦ Adult Services – Ministry ◦ Licensing ◦ Police  Internal Process ◦ Operations Manager or Program Director  Internal Investigation  Disciplinary process  Procedural changes  Reporting Requirements

 Important Numbers: ◦ Head Office ◦ Police  ◦ Licensing Board

 Examples ◦ Abuse ◦ Neglect ◦ Financial  When in Doubt