3007 Findings and Disposition | APS-5500-MANUAL
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Georgia Division of Aging Services |
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Chapter: |
3000 Investigation and Assessment |
Effective Date: |
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Section Title: |
Findings and Disposition |
Reviewed or Updated in: |
MT 2019-04 |
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Section Number: |
3007 |
Previous Update: |
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Summary Statement
The case manager shall use the information gathered during the investigation/assessment to make a final case disposition, of “Substantiated”, “Unsubstantiated” or “Inconclusive”. Additionally, the level of risk to the client based upon their personal vulnerability, social vulnerability and risk for further endangerment is determined. The findings and disposition shall be made within 45 calendar days of acceptance of the report.
Basic Considerations
The final case disposition shall be supported by the documented evidence gathered, assessments and interviews with both the client and collaterals.
Disposition of Investigation
Cases will be evaluated in each area of maltreatment and given a disposition of substantiated, unsubstantiated or inconclusive. Thus, one case may have multiple dispositions.
Substantiated Disposition
Based upon evidence gathered and professional judgment, there is preponderance of evidence that abuse, neglect and/or exploitation has occurred.
Unsubstantiated Disposition
Based upon evidence gathered and professional judgment, there is preponderance of evidence that abuse, neglect and/or exploitation has not occurred.
Inconclusive Disposition
Based upon insufficient evidence to determine if abuse, neglect and/or exploitation has occurred. The subject of the report, key collaterals and/or collateral documentation was unavailable.
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Unable to Locate
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Death of client during investigation; and
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Cannot meet preponderance of evidence standard that A/N/E has or has not occurred;
Case managers shall make every attempt to gather information and evidence from independent sources prior to seeking a disposition of 'Inconclusive'.
Findings of Investigation
Based upon the comprehensive assessment, an overall level of risk will be evaluated on three factors: Personal Vulnerability, Social Vulnerability and Risk of Further Endangerment.
Personal Vulnerability
The inability to independently manage Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) due to a mental or physical impairment.
Social Vulnerability
The lack of a formal and informal support network to assist with management of ADLs and IADLs; and/or social isolation.
Risk for Further Endangerment
Factors present that indicate that A/N/E is likely to occur or reoccur:
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The client lacks or has refused needed resources to ensure safety and protection;
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The client has untreated physical and/or mental health concerns; or
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The client is isolated and lacks a support system.
Procedure
Procedures following Case Determination
The Supervisor shall review the case findings and approve case dispositions.
In all Substantiated and Unsubstantiated cases, decisions must be made based upon the level of risk if continuing services are needed. Client consent is required prior to pursuing services on their behalf. Services may include referrals to the ADRC, other providers, coordination with other supports, and/or short-term APS on-going case management.
The Client shall be made aware of specific areas of risk identified during the investigation and available options for mitigating identified risk.
Requirements for On-going Case Management
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Completed APS investigation;
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Client consent;
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Identified risk for endangerment; and
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Expectation that specific short-term intervention will result in mitigating the future risk of A/N/E.
When services are refused, the capacity to understand outcome must be balanced against the level of risk if intervention does not occur. When capacity is low, and the level of risk is high where imminent threat exists, APS will evaluate to determine if additions legal step need to be taken to assure protection.
Substantiated
Disabled Adult and Abuse Report (DAAR) shall be sent to Law Enforcement on all substantiated cases, except self-abuse and self-neglect.
Adult Protective Services Investigators are responsible for forwarding the completed DAAR to Law Enforcement as soon as enough evidence is gathered to have a reasonable determination to believe that Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation has occurred.
If there is reasonable determination of A/N/E the final disposition statement within the electronic record shall reflect 'Personal Vulnerability', 'Social Vulnerability' and 'Risk for Further Endangerment'.
Unsubstantiated
If there is no evidence of Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation a DAAR will not be sent, however the final disposition statement in the DAS Data System will still reflect 'Personal Vulnerability', 'Social Vulnerability' and 'Risk for Further Endangerment'.