Embedded Files
- Authorized By: District Director of Health
- Initial Effective Date: 10/21/2015 (LMS)
- Replaces: New Policy
- Reviewed: 10/1/2022 (GM+SD)
- Revised: 3/21/2019; Moved to Google Sites 8/12/2021
- Contact: Programs Manager for Clinical Services and/or Director of Clinical Services
Reporting Requirements
Reporting Requirements
Any person who has reason to believe a child or vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected or exploited must report this in accordance with the provisions of KRS Chapter 209 (vulnerable adults) and KRS Chapter 620 (children).
Upon the request of a victim, Health Department staff must report an act of domestic or dating violence and abuse in accordance with KRS Chapter 209A (Spousal Abuse or Neglect).
Failure to report suspected child abuse and neglect is punishable by law. In contrast, anyone who in good faith reports suspected child abuse or neglect is immune from civil and criminal liability.
When in doubt, report.
Procedures for Reporting Suspected Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation/Dependency of Child or Vulnerable Adult
Procedures for Reporting Suspected Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation/Dependency of Child or Vulnerable Adult
Follow these steps:
When you feel the child/vulnerable adult is in imminent danger and needs immediate protection, call the local police department and note the name of the individual taking the report.
Make the report by phone to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in the county of the child/adult’s residency or through the 24 hour hotline at 1-877-597-2331.
Complete the NKYHEALTH-1 Suspected Abuse/Neglect, Dependency or Exploitation Reporting form with as much detail of the situation you have and fax it to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services by the end of the day on which the report is made. Be sure to include the name of the police individual taking the report if the police have been notified.
How to Report Domestic or Dating Violence
How to Report Domestic or Dating Violence
Upon request of the victim, follow these steps:
Discuss the report with the victim.
Make the report to the local police department in the county of the victim's residency and note the name of the individual taking the report.
Complete the NKYHEALTH-1 Suspected Abuse/Neglect, Dependency or Exploitation Reporting form with as much detail of the situation you have and fax it to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services by the end of the day in which the report is made. Be sure to include the name of the police individual taking the report.
Additionally, if a staff member believes that the death of a patient is related to domestic or dating violence and abuse, that staff member must report this information to a law enforcement officer in the county of the victim's residency.
NKYHEALTH-1 Suspected Abuse/Neglect, Dependency or Exploitation Reporting Form
NKYHEALTH-1 Suspected Abuse/Neglect, Dependency or Exploitation Reporting Form
NKYHEALTH-1 Suspected Abuse Reporting Form.pdfWhat to Do Immediately After Reporting Abuse
What to Do Immediately After Reporting Abuse
All staff making a report must notify their supervisor immediately after making the report (and may consult their supervisor in advance if desired.)
In addition:
Clinical Services Staff reporting on a client in one of the Health Centers will document in the client record’s patient management medical section using specific subjective and objective data, which may include subjective comments from the caregiver, child or adult, such as, “My child is so clumsy, she ran into the door causing the bruise on her cheek.” Objective observations should include specific information, for example, “Quarter size bruise noted on right cheek”. The bruise itself may not be suspicious, however, the information gathered and response from the caregiver, child or adult could trigger a suspicion of abuse. The NKYHEALTH-1 must be filed in the Administrative Section of the medical record. This must be completed no later than the close of the same business day in which the report was made.
HIV Case Management Staff reporting on a client of the program will file the NKYHEALTH-1 and any associated documentation in the client’s record where so designated by the program.
All Other Staff will scan the NKYHEALTH-1 form as a .PDF to the Clinical Services Programs Manager on the same business day. The Programs Manager will determine if the victim is a client of the Health Department. If they are a client, the NKYHEALTH-1 will be routed to the appropriate health center or to the HIV program and placed in the client’s record. If the victim is not a client, then the Programs Manager will scan the NKYHEALTH-1 and save it in an electronic file on the S: drive.
Revision Log
Revision Log
10/14/2022
Updated policy header.
Page updated
Report abuse