20.9 Determining the Findings of an Adult Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation Investigation

​​The SSW

1. Makes a written report of the investigative findings and, if necessary, a recommendation for further action upon completion of a thorough investigation, which may include interviewing all relevant parties, gathering supportive facts, obtaining written documentation, and assessing risk;
2. Documents the investigative findings as follows, once the investigation is complete: 
1. Substantiated–Substantiated means that an SSW has determined that an adult is the victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. A substantiated finding is made because of a personal interview with the alleged victim and one of the following conditions:
1. An interview with the alleged perpetrator, if conducting the interview does not pose a threat to the victim, in which the individual admits to abusing, neglecting, or exploiting the victim; or
2. The presence of evidentiary or supportive facts, such as medical evidence, observation of injuries, or witness testimony that reveals a preponderance of evidence. These examples are combined with other strong collaborating facts and documented in the adult assessment;
2. Found and Substantiated–An investigative finding is found and substantiated when an SSW discovers during an investigation, or through a routine service contact, that an adult was the victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and the incident was not previously reported through the department’s intake process. The SSW uses the same standards for a finding of found and substantiated as for a substantiated finding;
3. Unsubstantiated–A finding of unsubstantiated is used when:
1. Contact with the alleged victim reveals no evidence, facts, indicators, or justification to substantiate abuse, neglect, or exploitation; or
2. The location of the adult is known and attempts at contacting or conducting a personal interview with the alleged victim have been unsuccessful, and there is a lack of supportive evidence to indicate abuse, neglect, or exploitation;
4. Unable to Locate–An investigative finding of unable to locate is used when the SSW cannot locate an alleged victim after repeated diligent efforts.
   
5. Not an Adult-KRS 209.020(4)–This investigative finding is used when the SSW determines that the alleged victim does not meet the statutory definition of adult.
   
1. ​This finding can only be made if face-to-face contact with the alleged victim has occurred within ten (10) working days of the assigned by supervisor date;
2. All investigations submitted for closure as Not an Adult-KRS 209.020(4) require second level approval from a service region administrative associate (SRAA) or service region clinical associate (SRCA) within ten (10) working days of receipt of the assigned by supervisor date;
   
3. This assessment must be completed and approved by the FSOS in TWIST within fifteen (15) working days of the assigned by supervisor date;
4. The SSW is required to make referrals for services requested by the alleged victim before case closure;
5. Forgo the interview with the alleged perpetrator and do not send a notification letter to the alleged perpetrator;
6. If necessary, consultation regarding the appropriate use of the Not an Adult-KRS 209.020(4) determination can be requested through the Adult Protection Branch by emailing: DCBSAdultProtection@ky.gov; and
7. The SSW only needs to verbally notify the alleged victim of case closure;
   

The FSOS or designee: 

1. Reviews and approves the investigative finding. ₁