10/08

ABBREVIATED APS CQA TIP SHEET

  • This format can only be used in APS CQA’s where the finding is unsubstantiated.
  • This format is not to be used for specialized referrals such as an employee investigation, fatality reports, or reports involving agencies that are contracted to provide services such as; Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Personal Care Homes, Family Care Homes, Supports for Community Living, and Home Health Agencies.
  • The FSOS has the option of excluding any referral from this abbreviated format at any point.

When the Abbreviated CQA is used, the information listed below must be included in the following sections:

  • Maltreatment/Presenting Problems Screen:

Include the following statement for all unsubstantiated APS reports: No maltreatment was found or observed and this report is unsubstantiated. This report is being written up using the abbreviated CQA format. By including this, anyone reading this CQA will understand why the format being used is different from the typical CQA.

  • Family Functioning:

Discuss the life cycle stage and any strengths or weaknesses that were identified. Also document the adult’s level of functioning and include a brief statement discussing the adult’s history of abuse and education/employment and training.

  • Take out Victim Perpetrator Screens
  • Screening Instruments:

Document any information regarding children in the sequence of events.

  • Systems of Support:

Identify household member, family member, guardians, conservators, care network, and any other individuals/organizations that provide support to the adult. Describe how these support systems help the adult with safety and document contact information.

  • Sequence of Events:

A summary of the investigation is included in this section. A list of individuals interviewed with dates and times should be included in this section in addition to any additional collateral information that helped to determine the finding of the report. Field staff should document any attempts to make personal contact with the victim and document the date and time the report was initiated.

  • Family Safety Evaluation:

If no abuse/neglect/or exploitation is found or observed then this section should be omitted. If field staff determines there are safety issues however, no abuse/neglect/exploitation is identified field staff can document how the concerns were addressed in the sequence of events section.

  • Conclusion Section:

If the APS report is unsubstantiated omit this section and document the conclusion of the investigation in the Investigation Results Section.

  • Referral Results Summary Screen:

In this section field staff should provide a summary explaining how they determined the finding. Field staff should also document if a findings notification letter was mailed in this section.