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Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families
Department Operating Procedure
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Page 1 of 2
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Revision History:
November 10, 2016 V.1
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Title:
Critical Information - Communication
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Related Forms:
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I. PURPOSE
Staff of the Department of Children, Youth and Families (Department) may receive critical information in the conduct of their responsibilities that should be communicated to senior staff to aid in decision-making. This Department Operating Procedure provides direction to staff on the nature of critical information and the process for communicating it through the chain of command.
II. TERMS DEFINED
None Identified
III. PROCEDURE
A. The following is deemed Critical Information:
1. Child or youth fatality (with or without prior Department involvement where a child maltreatment investigation is opened).
2. Near fatality of a child or youth (with or without prior Department involvement where a child maltreatment investigation is opened).
3. Reports of any physical abuse or neglect resulting in injury or any sexual abuse of a child/youth in a Department licensed facility or facility where a child/youth opened to the Department is placed.
4. Abduction of a child/youth open to or involved with the Department
5. Abduction of any child from a child care home or center.
6. Fatality or serious injury requiring immediate medical attention involving Department staff that occurs on the job.
7. Department staff charged with a criminal offense or incarcerated.
8. Provider staff, who works directly with children/youth, charged with a criminal offense or incarcerated (if this information becomes known to Department staff)
9. A child, age 12 or younger, open to the Department who is missing or cannot be located by Department staff for more than one hour.
10. A child, age 13 or older, open to the Department who is missing or cannot be located by Department staff for more than 24 hours.
11. Child/youth opened to the Department admitted to the hospital due to a potentially fatal medical condition or injury.
12. Child/youth opened to or involved with the Department charged with a violent felony/delinquent offense or felony/delinquent sexual offense (excluding instances where this offense is what initially led to the Department’s involvement).
13. Escape of a youth from the Training School.
14. Fire/other disaster to a home/facility housing children/youth open to the Department or to a child care home or facility.
15. Any instance in which immediate licensing action is taken with respect to a Department licensed facility.
16. Threat(s) to Department offices or to Department staff (in the performance of their job or directly related to the performance of their job) that causes any Department staff member to be fearful for his/her safety.
17. Fire or property damage to a Department building.
18. Any interruption of Department operations caused by weather, natural or manmade disaster, or other catastrophic event or situation.
19. Any department staff involved in a motor vehicle accident during working hours while operating a state and/or personal vehicle.
B. Critical Information- Chain of Communication:
1. Department staff who becomes aware of critical information as specified above immediately communicates the information to his or her supervisor. If supervisor is not available, this information is immediately communicated to the covering supervisor and/or division administrator.
2. The supervisor or administrator who receives the critical information communicates it to the division administrator and the Chief of Staff.
3. The Chief of Staff advises the Director of the critical information, and any other Department staff member he/she determines should be notified.
4. Case Activity Notes or other documentation are completed in compliance with Department protocol.
5. If Department staff learn additional details about the critical information event, this information is communicated up the chain of command as described above.
C. In accordance with the DOP: 100.0265; Child Fatality and Near Fatality Public Disclosure, child/youth fatalities and near fatalities that occur in cases active in any division of the Department for monitoring, services, or supports including guardianship and adoption subsidies must be reported to the Child Protective Hotline by the primary service worker.