MANDATORY

REPORTING
For Vulnerable Adults​​i n Alaska
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What would you
have done?

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IS DOLLY A VULNERABLE ADULT?
Based on this scenario
Definition
 A vulnerable adult is anyone over the age
of 18, who because of a physical or mental
impairment, is unable to meet the person's
own needs or to seek help without
assistance,
 Dolly is a vulnerable adult.
 She receives supervision from others who
provide care.
 It is unclear if Dolly can report, however
Dolly would have to tell someone at the
facility where she lives to report the
abuse or she would have to wait to talk
with her mother when she visits.
 It appears that Dolly must seek the
assistance from others. She may struggle
to communicate her needs.
WHAT RISK FACTORS DO YOU SEE WITH DOLLY?

FUNCTIONAL COGNITIVE RELIES ON OTHERS

LIMITATIONS LIMITATIONS FOR CARE/SAFETY

FACILITY MAY NOT

REPORT THE
LEARNED COMPLIANCE ALLEGATIONS
DESIRE FOR BOUNDARY AND
FRIENDSHIP/CONNE TRUST
CTION CHALLENGES

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 Yes, high suspicion for abuse

WAS THIS There is visible unexplained

ABUSE? bruising.

Dolly’s behavior also changes when

staff enter the room. (Notice her
facial expression and demeanor)

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WHAT TYPE(S) OF ABUSE MIGHT
BE PRESENT?

Emotional/mental
Physical abuse Neglect
abuse​

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SHOULD YOU REPORT?
WHO:
Anyone can initiate the report to APS. A
report should have been made immediately as
soon as bruises were noticed. Mother can
report, Dolly can report, or anyone who works
with Dolly or knows Dolly.

WHEN:
Mandatory reporters have 24 hours from the time
they suspect abuse or notice bruises.
HOW:
Pictures can be taken by staff at the facility or
other medical care team and documented. If a
crime has been committed or there is a
suspicion of a crime, such as physical or
sexual assault, the police (Nome PD or AST)
MUST be called.
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Click to add photo

JOE

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 What would you
have done?

PITCH DECK 8/03/20XX 10

IS JOE A VULNERABLE ADULT?
Based on this scenario
Definition
 A vulnerable adult is anyone over the age
of 18, who because of a physical or mental
impairment, is unable to meet the person's
own needs or to seek help without
assistance,
 Based on this scenario, it is unclear
if Joe is an actual vulnerable adult.
However, the video does indicate that.
Joe is weak and may not be able to
care for himself without assistance.
WHAT RISK FACTORS DO YOU SEE WITH JOE?

ISOLATION/ ILLNESS (PHYSICAL AND/OR

SECLUSION MENTAL)

NEW PURCHASES NOT

NORMAL FOR JOE
CHANGES IN
NEW VISITOR TO THE HOME BEHAVIOR

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 Possibly, abuse and neglect may
be present.

WAS THIS
ABUSE?
Joe’s home is neglected, he
appears depressed, is no longer as
sociable as before, and makes
statements that others are making
decisions for him.

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 Financial
WHAT Exploitation​
TYPE(S)
OF ABUSE
MIGHT BE Self-neglect
PRESENT?

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SHOULD YOU REPORT?

WHO:
Anyone can report to APS.

WHEN:
Mandatory reporters must make a report
within 24 hours of having knowledge or
suspicion of abuse, exploitation, or neglect.

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Click to add photo

Roy 16
 What would you
have done?

PITCH DECK 8/03/20XX 17

IS ROY A VULNERABLE ADULT?
Based on this scenario
Definition
 A vulnerable adult is anyone over the age
of 18, who because of a physical or mental
impairment, is unable to meet the person's
own needs or to seek help without
assistance,
 Roy may be a vulnerable adult. It is
unclear if he can help himself,
however the bus driver has noticed
that he has lost weight and appears
more confused. Roy is receiving
assistance from others.
WHAT RISK FACTORS DO YOU SEE WITH ROY?
COGNITIVE
LIMITATIONS
ISOLATION/ HOME
SECLUSION UNKEMPT

PHYSICAL
LIMITATIONS ILLNESS
CHANGES IN
BEHAVIOR
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 Possibly
self-neglect/abuse.
WAS THIS
ABUSE?
Roy may not be able
to help himself due to
impairments.​

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 Self- neglect​

WHAT
TYPE(S)
OF ABUSE
Neglect by care-giver
MIGHT BE (as Roy is said to have
PRESENT? professional helpers)

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SHOULD YOU REPORT?

WHO:
Anyone can report to APS. Family, caregivers,
the bus driver, neighbors all can report.

WHEN:
Mandatory reports must report any allegation
of self-neglect within 24 hours.

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Click to add photo

8/03/20XX 23
WHAT MUST BE REPORTED TO
APS?
 Any incident in which a vulnerable adult suffers harm from abandonment,
abuse, exploitation, neglect or self-neglect. Mandated reporters are
encouraged to use the “Report of Harm for the Protection of Vulnerable
Adults” form to report incidents to Adult Protective Services.A report must
be received by Adult Protective Services within 24 hours of the
reporter becoming aware of the alleged abuse, exploitation, or neglect.
Should the form be inaccessible or unusable for any reason, mandated
reporters are instructed to not delay reporting and may call Adult
Protective Services at 1-800-478-9996 (in state only) or 907-269-3666.

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TO WHOM SHOULD REPORTS
BE MADE?
 Reports should be made to Adult Protective Services within 24 hours.
Mandated reporters who knowingly fail to report the abandonment, abuse,
exploitation, neglect or self neglect of a vulnerable adult may be found
guilty of a class B misdemeanor. In the case of an emergency, reporters
may contact their local law enforcement before contacting Adult Protective
Services.

Note: A mandatory reporter should not delegate

his/her duty to report.
Example: Informing social services of an
issue/concern, does not replace your duty to report to
APS yourself

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PITCH DECK 8/03/20XX 26
HOW IS CONFIDENTIALITY
PROTECTED?
 Investigatory reports and reports of the abandonment, abuse, exploitation,
neglect or self-neglect of a vulnerable adult are confidential and are not
subject to public inspection and copying. Investigative reports may be
used by appropriate agencies or individuals inside and outside the state in
connection with investigations or judicial proceedings involving the
abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect or self-neglect of a vulnerable
adult. Individuals who report abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect or
self-neglect of a vulnerable adult may remain anonymous.

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CAN I BE SUED FOR
REPORTING?
 No
 Persons who make reports in good faith are immune from liability and
protected by law from retaliation.

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SUMMARY
How to make a report of harm on a
vulnerable adult:
 Call 1-800-478-9996 (in-state) or
907-269-3666
 or
 Complete the online Centralized
Report.

 Search: Alaska APS report

 If an emergency or you suspect a

crime: also report to law enforcement
 Troopers: 907-443-2835
 Nome Police: 907-443-5262

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