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Policy Manual

CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS
Special Investigations

34-12-9.2
Reports of Abuse or Neglect Concerning Private Facilities and Agencies

Policy A report of abuse, neglect or in danger of abuse concerning a child in a Department licensed private facility or agency approved home, as defined in 34-12-9, shall be investigated by the regional office in accordance with established investigation procedures.

However, due to the fact that the report involves a licensed facility or agency, additional procedures need to be followed to ensure a coordinated Department response, as specified below.
Notifications Upon receipt of the Hotline report and assignment to an investigator, the Regional Administrator, or management designee, shall notify the following persons:
  • the Director of Licensing, and forward a copy of the report, if not previously done by Hotline

Note: If a facility is dually licensed, the DCF Director of Licensing shall notify the other licensing agency.
  • the Director of Child Welfare Services, and forward a copy of the report
  • the Executive Director of the facility or agency

Note: The Regional Administrator shall determine whether to notify the Executive Director before or after the investigator’s initial visit to the facility or agency home.

Note: If the Executive Director is the alleged perpetrator, the President of the Board of Directors shall be notified.
  • Department Social Worker and the child’s parents if the child is receiving services from the Department.
Executive Director’s Responsibilities Upon notice of an allegation, the Executive Director of a facility shall take the following actions:
  • obtain basic information from the child relating to the allegation in order to ensure the child’s immediate safety, and
  • take any actions necessary to immediately ensure the safety of the child
  • notify the child’s parents
  • obtain an emergency medical examination and care for the child, as appropriate
  • cooperate with the investigator by making all records, documents, foster or adoptive parents, staff members, and residents available, as appropriate, for a complete investigation
  • immediately place the employee on leave or non-client duty, or foster or adoptive family on hold, dependent upon the effect of the allegation on the facility’s or agency’s mandate and the safety and well-being of children and staff.
Upon Completion of the Investigation Upon completion of the investigation, the investigator shall forward a copy of the investigation report to the
  • Director of Licensing
  • Regional Administrator
  • Director of Child Welfare Services.

The investigator shall also notify

  • the Executive Director
  • Department staff, if a Department child was involved
  • the parents.
Licensing Action The Director of Licensing shall prepare a recommendation to the Director of the Quality Assurance Unit and the Director of the Division of Program Development and Planning concerning any proposed licensing action.

The action may include limitation of the license; i.e., reduced bed capacity; or a decision to not renew or revoke the license; or other recommendations.
Limit, Not Renew or Revoke the License The table below presents the procedures when the decision is to limit, not renew or revoke the license:
Persons Responsible Actions
Director of Licensing, Director of Quality Assurance, and Director of Program Development and Planning in coordination with the Commissioner’s Office
  • Consider the ramifications of moving children and notifying parents.
  • Ensure, in conjunction with the assigned Assistant Attorney General, the legal sufficiency of documentation in order to take licensing action.
  • Officially notify the Executive Director and President of the Board of Directors of the facility or agency of the intended licensing action, and advise them of their right to an administrative hearing.
  The table below presents the procedures to use if the licensee does not request a hearing within the designated time period or, when a hearing is held, the hearings officer upholds the Department’s proposed licensing action:

 

Person Responsible Actions
Director of Licensing Ensure that
  • all activity is recorded in the licensing record
  • all children have been moved or

    • in the case of a child placing agency, that homes have been closed or transferred to another licensed agency

  • all records of clients have been properly transferred to the receiving facility or agency or to the Department
  • the licensee is closed in LINK
  • the licensee has turned in the license to the Department and ceased operation.

 Connecticut Department of Children and Families                               Effective Date:October 1, 1996 (Revised)