Check out the latest edition of INW’s newsletter. You’ll find articles celebrating INW’s 5th anniversary as a support services brokerage, details on our successful craft night, information about mandatory abuse reporting, important provider information, community resources, customer success stories and more!
Thanks to J, Beri, Spence and Rob for their work on this edition. Happy Fall 2012!
Click here: INW Newsletter Fall 2012
Are you currently paid to provide supports to an adult receiving brokerage services? If so, you are a Mandatory Abuse Reporter and have certain legal responsibilities. If you have reasonable cause to believe an adult with developmental disabilities has been abused, or that any person with whom you come in contact in your job has abused an adult, you must immediately report the abuse.
Abuse includes but is not limited to: abandonment, financial exploitation, involuntary seclusion, neglect, physical abuse, restraint (not approved in a behavior support plan or by doctor’s order,) sexual abuse or verbal abuse.
If you believe any of these things or another concerning/suspicious event has taken place, you must:
Please note: Mandatory Abuse Reporters are not limited to reporting only potential abuse and crimes against people with developmental disabilities. Reporters must also call in any issues involving, children, seniors (people 65 and older,) people with mental health issues and people with physical disabilities. You do not need direct evidence and it is not your responsibility or role to investigate the claim, but you have a legal obligation to pick up the phone and make a report as soon as possible.
Incident Reporting
Additionally, you have a responsibility to report in writing/via phone to Independence Northwest when you have seen, heard or been told about the death of a brokerage customer; when there has been police, ambulance or fire department response; with regard to criminal referrals, medical hospitalizations, emergency room visits, psychiatric hospitalizations or any other incidents that are unusual for the individual/are of concern. You must do so within 24 hours of hearing of/witnessing the event.
When in doubt, report!
Washington County:
Business Hours: 503.846.3150
After Hours: 503.291.9111
Clackamas County:
All Hours: Report directly to Bryan Pollard: 503.557.2874
Multnomah County:
Business Hours: 503.988.3658 (Ask for Adult DD Protective Services Screener)24 Hour Crisis Line: 503.988.4888
Department of Human Services:
If you are unsure who to report adult abuse to, please call the state at1-800-232-3020
Child Abuse Reporting:
Multnomah: 800-509-5439
Washington: 800-275-8952
Clackamas: 971-673-7112
Click here to read a brochure on Mandatory Abuse Reporting in Oregon.
Write Around Portland is hosting a FREE Community Writing Workshop at Independent Living Resources in NE Portland.
Explore the power of writing and community in a safe, respectful and creative environment. Writing journals, pens and light snack provided. Bus tickets may be available for those who qualify. Priority registration given to individuals who have not previously participated in a Write Around Portland workshop.
MONDAYS – 1:30 – 3:30
10 WEEKS: September 24 to December 3, 2012
(Note: ILR is closed on Nov 12th, so no workshop that day)
LOCATION: 1839 NE Couch Street Portland OR
Pre-registration is required – to register, sign up at the front desk at ILR.
For more info: www.writearound.org
The folks at Clackamas County Developmental Disabilities Program are offering a great training opportunity for all professionals serving people with disabilities: a one hour training on Abuse Reporting led by Abuse Investigator Brian Pollard.
WHAT: Abuse Reporting Training
WHEN: Tuesday September 18th, 2012 from 11am to 12 noon
WHERE: Clackamas County Public Services Building (2051 Kaen Road Room 369B Oregon City, OR 97045)
Abuse Reporting is geared toward adults eligible for DD Services, their families, Personal Support Workers, Foster Care Providers and staff, Residential and Vocational staff. Adults eligible for DD services are a protected class and therefore those paid to support them are Mandatory Abuse Reporters. The class will address when and how to report abuse and neglect of adults eligible for DD services.
If you are a Personal Support Worker, Domestic Employee or Independent Contractor, we at Independence Northwest strongly urge you consider this training opportunity.
Please contact Robyn Hoffman at 503.557.2872 or robynhof@co.clackamas.or.us for any questions and to RSVP. Space is limited, so please register to reserve your place.
INW will be hosting Craft Nights on the 3rd Thursday of every month.
We suggest a $3 donation to go toward supplies, provided by INW – however, no one will be turned away.
If you have personal care support needs, please bring a provider or support person with you. Kids are welcome with appropriate supervision.
Please RSVP by calling J at 503.546.2950. Limited space available. RSVP required.
INW will be hosting its first Craft Night on Thursday, August 16th from 4:30pm to 6:00pm at the Independence Northwest offices.