Issued 7-1-01

INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-1-26.1

1.  (a) Prior to initiating a home visit with a client for any purpose, the CW worker:

• (1) assesses case record information and determines whether there are any risk factors associated with the family, their home, or their neighborhood.  If the worker believes the home visit cannot be made safely, then the CW supervisor is consulted to determine whether a home visit is appropriate due to the safety concerns.  If not, law enforcement is contacted for assistance;
• (2) prepares either a paper day sheet, or schedule in Microsoft Outlook Calendar, listing the planned visits for the day and maintains that schedule as much as possible.  A copy of the day sheet is left in plain sight on the CW worker’s desk or left with the supervisor.  If there are major changes in the schedule, the CW worker informs the county office of the changes;
• (3) arranges the work schedule in order for new or questionable visits to be made early in the day;
• (4) notifies office staff when he or she leaves and returns.  If the worker plans to go home after the last field visit, he or she notifies the county office after the last visit is finished; and
• (5) is aware of the areas in the neighborhood where help could be obtained if an emergency occurred.
• (b) County offices keep supplies of basic safety equipment items for the CW worker to keep in the car when making home visits.  The CW worker carries:
  • (1) a cellular phone, whenever possible;
  • (2) one change of clothing;
  • (3) clean towels for clean-up or decontamination;
  • (4) surgical gloves for handling children that may be injured or exposed to methamphetamine;
  • (5) disinfectant hand wipes;
  • (6) plastic trash bags for covering car seats and floorboards, and for carrying clothes that may need decontamination; and
  • (7) dust masks to limit breathing of chemical or other fumes.
• (c) When preparing to park and leave the vehicle used for making the home visit, the CW worker is to:
  • (1) park in the open and near a light source that offers the safest walking route to the home;
  • (2) locate the clients’ building before exiting the car when the clients’ residence is in an apartment complex, whenever possible;
  • (3) park on the street rather than a driveway, and in the direction in which the worker plans to leave; and
  • (4) take only the items necessary to complete the home visit.  Purses or wallets are concealed if left in a parked and locked car.
• (d) When approaching the residence, the CW worker:
  • (1) looks and listens for signs of someone in the residence and assesses whether there is any indication of danger involving the occupants of the residence;
  • (2) is aware of any smells associated with substance abuse;
  • (3) observes the outside of the residence, the surrounding homes, any animals or unfamiliar vehicles; and  
  • (4) if carrying a cellular phone, programs the phone so that a 911 call can be made easily in an emergency.
• (e) In order to make a safe entrance into the residence, the CW worker:
  • (1) goes only to the door that is in plain sight of the street and stands to the side of the door when knocking;
  • (2) as the door is opened, looks quickly inside to determine if there are any threats to safety;
  • (3) does not enter the home if an unseen person calls for the worker to come in;
  • (4) quickly evaluates the clients’ attitude and demeanor to determine if there are warning signs of aggression, violence, substance use, or suspicious behavior;
  • (5) does not enter the home if an adult is not present.  If there are children in the home who may be unable to care for themselves alone, law enforcement assistance is immediately requested; and
  • (6) does not enter the home when law enforcement accompanies the CW worker for the home visit and there is no adult present in the home. If law enforcement makes the decision to enter, the CW worker remains outside the residence in order to ensure the worker’s physical safety.  If law enforcement requests the assistance of the CW worker in the residence due to an emergency with the child, do not enter the residence until it has been secured by law enforcement and is determined safe to enter;
  • (7) does not attempt to aggressively persuade the client if he or she refuses to allow access to the home.  If denied, the worker leaves the residence and consults with a supervisor; and
  • (8) leaves the residence if the worker does not feel safe entering the home, and consults with a supervisor.
• (f) When in the client’s residence, the CW worker is particularly aware of any signs of risk.  The worker:
  • (1) once inside the clients’ residence, stays near an exit and remains alert and observant;
  • (2) pays attention to any unusual smells, particularly those associated with the manufacture or use of drugs;
  • (3) remains aware of the possibility of any other persons in the residence and inquires about anyone that may appear to be in another room;
  • (4) does not go into any other parts of the residence without the client’s permission.  Proceeds with caution when entering any room; and  
  • (5) leaves immediately if there is risk to safety.
• (g) When leaving the client's residence, the CW worker remains alert to safety risks by:
  • (1) observing any activity or persons near the residence or in the neighborhood;
  • (2) having car keys in hand when walking to the parked car; and
  • (3) not lingering to make phone calls or notes, but instead leaving the neighborhood immediately.
• (h) If a worker has an ongoing CW case either through Permanency Planning or Family-Centered Services in which there have been or are new allegations of methamphetamine use or manufacture, the same precautions are taken as in an investigation.  [OAC 340: 75-3-8.7]