Child Abuse and Neglect: Mandated Reporting
Every employee of a home health agency is a "health care professional" and a mandated reporter under Ohio law. Anyone who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child under 18, or a person under 21 with a developmental disability or physical impairment, has suffered or faces a threat of abuse or neglect must immediately report it to the public children services agency or a peace officer in the county. Sets out how to report, protection for reporters, the penalty for not reporting, and what the Agency does next.
About this policy
- Policy number
- OH-HH-SG-02
- Version
- 1.0
- Main rule
- ORC 2151.421
- Library
- Ohio home health · 59 policies
- Category
- Safeguarding
- Sections
- 18
In short
- Every employee of a home health agency must report suspected abuse or neglect of a child, or of a young person under 21 with a disability.
- Report immediately to the county children services agency or the police. Call 855-O-H-CHILD (855-642-4453) any time. Call 911 first if a child is in danger.
- You do not need proof, and you must report even if the child is not our patient.
- Then tell the clinical manager and record the date, time and who you spoke to.
- Reporters are protected by law. Not reporting is a crime in Ohio.
What's inside
18 sections. The full text comes with the One-time Policy Pack.
- Terms of Reference
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Scope
- 3. Definitions
- 4. Policy Statement (ORC 2151.421)
- 5. Signs to Act On
- 6. How to Report
- 7. When Another Route Also Applies
- 8. Protection for Reporters and Confidentiality
- 9. Penalty for Not Reporting
- 10. After a Report
- 11. Responsibilities
- 12. Records and Compliance Monitoring
- 13. Staff Training
- 14. References
- 15. Related Policies and Forms
- 16. Approval
- 17. Revision History
An inspector may ask
- Who in your agency must report suspected child abuse, and to whom?
- Your nurse visits an adult patient and sees a child in the home with injuries. What does she do?
See Cura Core with your agency's name on it.
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