6 Pa. Code § 15.42 - Standards for initiating and conducting investigations
(a)
Requirements by report
category.
(1)
Emergency
report.
(i) The investigation of a
report categorized as emergency shall be initiated immediately following the
referral of the report. The protective services caseworker shall make every
attempt to ensure the immediate safety of the older adult and to conduct a face
to face visit as soon as possible. The agency shall assure that reasonable
attempts will be made to conduct a face to face visit within 24 hours after the
report is received.
(ii) When,
after reasonable efforts to gain access to the older adult, the protective
services caseworker is denied access, the caseworker shall document the efforts
made and take action, as appropriate, under §
15.61 or §
15.71 (relating to access to
persons; and involuntary intervention by emergency court
order).
(2)
Priority report. The investigation of a report categorized as
priority shall be initiated as soon as possible. The agency shall assure that
reasonable attempts to initiate the investigation will be made within 24 hours
after the report is received. The investigation of a priority report is
initiated only by contact with the older adult reported to need protective
services. The protective services caseworker shall make every attempt to visit
with the older adult face to face within the 24 hours provided. When, after
reasonable efforts to gain access to the older adult, the caseworker is denied
access, the caseworker shall document the efforts made and take action, as
appropriate, under §
15.61 or §
15.71.
(3)
Nonpriority report.
(i) The investigation of a report categorized
as nonpriority shall be initiated in a timely manner but never later than 72
hours after the report was received. At the discretion of the agency, the
initiation of an investigation of a nonpriority report shall include a visit to
the older adult reported to need protective services when details in the report
indicate a need to see and talk with the older adult face to face to secure or
verify facts essential to the ongoing investigation.
(ii) The investigation of a report
categorized as nonpriority shall include at least one visit to the older adult
reported to need protective services at an appropriate point in the course of
the investigation. Every attempt shall be made to visit with the older adult
face to face. When, after reasonable efforts to gain access to the older adult,
the protective services caseworker is denied access, the caseworker shall
document the efforts made and, when appropriate, take action under §
15.61 or §
15.71.
(4)
No need report. The investigation of a report categorized as
no need for protective services shall consist of the protective services
caseworker's review of the report categorization. If the caseworker agrees with
the initial categorization, appropriate referrals shall be made within 72 hours
after the report was received, to the area agency on aging service management
system or, if concerning an adult under 60 years of age to another community
agency, if available. If the caseworker does not agree with the initial
categorization, the report shall be placed in another category in this
subsection and addressed under the applicable provisions for investigating a
report in that category.
(b)
Reports involving county or area
agency on aging employees. If the agency is required to investigate a
report which alleges that abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment has been
perpetrated by an employee of the county, the area agency on aging or its
subcontractor, the agency shall notify the Department as early as possible
during the current or next day of normal business hours. The notification shall
be made by phone to a person designated by the Department and shall include the
pertinent details of the report. A copy of the completed report of need shall
be immediately forwarded by mail to the Department. Copies of written records
of investigative activities shall also be forwarded to the Department for
review. The Department reserves the right to intervene in the agency's
investigation of a report under this subsection if it is determined appropriate
to assure a fully objective investigation.
(c)
Written records of investigative
activities. The investigative activities, including home visits and
other contacts with the older adult or other persons or organizations needed to
facilitate the investigation, shall be documented in writing and placed in the
case record. Documentation may include dated and signed photographs and
statements related to suspected abuse.
(d)
Completing investigations of
reports. The agency shall make all reasonable efforts to complete an
investigation of a report of need for protective services under this section as
soon as possible and, in cases of abuse and neglect, at least within 20 days of
the receipt of the report. The investigation of the report is completed only
when the report has been determined to be substantiated or unsubstantiated and,
if substantiated, after necessary steps have been taken to reduce an imminent
risk to the older adult's person or property.
(e)
Department conducting its own
investigation. If the Department determines that an agency is unable
to conduct, or has not conducted, what the Department considers an acceptable
protective services investigation, the Department may intervene in the agency's
investigation, or conduct its own investigation.
Notes
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No prior version found.