Revised 6-1-10

1.   (a) Reports.  The hotline staff accepts all information and records it, in the Intake Section of the Adult Protective Services (APS) Computer System including the name of the reporter, if possible.  Anonymous reports are handled in the same manner as those made by a person who identifies himself or herself.

(b) Guidelines for hotline staff.  When a report falls within the Emergency Guidelines for hotline staff in (c) of this Instruction, hotline staff refers to the latest contact list provided by the Family Support Services Division (FSSD) APS Unit and immediately telephones the appropriate APS specialist IV staff.  Hotline staff who receive APS calls after hours always call the APS specialist IV when:

(1) the reported allegations fall within the emergency guidelines in (c) of this Instruction;

(2) the situation does not fall within the emergency guidelines, but information given by the reporter indicates immediate action may be necessary; or

(3) hotline staff is unable to decide whether the situation reported falls within the emergency guidelines.

(c) Emergency guidelines for hotline staff.  When hotline staff receives a call that meets the emergency guidelines in (1) through (17) of this Instruction, hotline staff asks the reporter if 911 or the local emergency services number has been called.  If local emergency services have not been called and immediate help is needed, hotline staff tells the reporter to call 911 or other local emergency numbers.  Hotline staff tells the APS specialist IV whether the reporter called local emergency services or was asked to call.  APS situations are considered emergency reports when:

(1) abuse is occurring at the time of the report;

(2) immediate medical attention is needed to treat conditions that could result in irreversible physical damage or death, such as unconsciousness, acute pain, severe respiratory distress, or suspected gangrene;

(3) there is threat of suicide of the alleged victim (AV);

(4) there is threat of homicide to the AV;

(5) there is reason to believe the AV or alleged perpetrator (AP) is exhibiting psychotic or bizarre behavior which places the AV in immediate danger;

(6) sexual, physical, or the threat of such abuse is reported and the AP currently has access to the AV;

(7) the report indicates sexual abuse that occurred within the last 72 hours;

(8) the caregiver refers self for fear he or she may harm AV;

(9) there is reason to believe the AP may flee the investigation and move AV to an unknown location;

(10) the AV needs total care and has been left without a caregiver.  Examples include: the caregiver is hospitalized, deceased, or abandons the AV;

(11) the AV lacks basic physical necessities severe enough to result in freezing, serious heat stress, or starvation;

(12) there is neglect or self-neglect whether AV is without essentials for daily living or critically needed supervision, and AV's impaired judgment or physical condition places AV in immediate danger;

(13) there are visible injuries, bruising to vital areas, or other possible life threatening conditions;

(14) there is sudden deterioration in AV's condition, and AV may be in imminent danger;

(15) there is an environmental hazard or condition that places AV in immediate danger;

(16) there is punishment or confinement of AV, such as locking in a closet or tying to a bed; or

(17) there are any other factors, such as repeated incidents or reports, that are believed to indicate imminent danger.

(d) If a report from the hotline is made to the incorrect human services center (HSC), the APS specialist receiving the report is responsible for notifying the appropriate APS staff.

(e) Hotline staff do not screen APS reports.  Some APS reports are sent to investigative bodies other than local APS, as indicated in (1) through (4) of this Instruction.

(1) If the AV is a resident of Northern Oklahoma Resource Center of Enid (NORCE), the Greer Center, or Southern Oklahoma Resource Center (SORC) of Pauls Valley, or is known to be a Hissom Class member, the report is made to the Office of Client Advocacy (OCA) at 405-525-4850 or fax 405-525-4855 or, after regular business hours, the OCA on-call ombudsman at 405-203-6056.

(2) If the AV is a resident of a licensed nursing facility, and the alleged perpetrator is a facility employee, the report is made to the FSSD APS Unit, Long Term Care Investigations (LTCI) Section, 405-521-3440.

(3) If the hotline staff determines that the AV is deceased, the caller is referred to the local district attorney's or medical examiner's office.

(4) If the AV is presently incarcerated in a city, county, state, or federal jail or prison, or is a resident of a state or federal hospital, the caller is referred to the internal advocates for the agency that regulates the facility.  If the caller is resistant to being referred elsewhere, the report is accepted and forwarded to the FSSD APS Unit.