Section 270.250  Minimum Assessment and Classification Standards

a)         A provider agency designated to receive reports of alleged or suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation under the Act shall, upon receiving such a report, conduct a face-to-face assessment with respect to such report. The assessment shall include, but not be limited to, a visit to the residence of the eligible adult who is the subject of the report and may include interviews or consultation with service agencies or individuals who may have knowledge of the eligible adult's circumstances. [320 ILCS 20/5(a)]

b)         A decision on the merits of each report must be made according to the following:

1)         Verified:  When there is clear and convincing evidence resulting in a determination that the specific injury or harm was the result of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.

2)         Some Indication:  When there is a fair preponderance of evidence that suggests some indication of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation exists.

3)         No Indication:  When there is a lack of credible evidence indicating that abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation exists.

4)         Unable to Verify:  This determination is used when the report does not meet the eligibility criteria of the program, the elder abuse provider agency is unable to locate the alleged victim, the elder abuse provider agency staff has been unable to gain access to the alleged victim, or the alleged victim refuses the assessment.

c)         Each report must be either substantiated, unsubstantiated, or unable to substantiate, as follows:

1)         Substantiated: When one or more of the alleged types of ANE was classified as either "verified" or "some indication".

2)         Unsubstantiated: When all of the alleged types of ANE were determined to lack credible evidence that indicated abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.

3)         Unable to substantiate: When the provider agency was unable to locate the alleged victim; unable to access the alleged victim; the alleged victim refused to cooperate; or the alleged victim was deceased.

d)         If, after the assessment, the provider agency determines that the case is substantiated and the victim has consented to services, it shall develop a service care plan for the eligible adult.

e)         The elder abuse provider agency shall establish a case record to document each report of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, to include the following information where available and when applicable to the case:

1)         essential client information, such as name, address, age, and phone number;

2)         descriptions of the reported, suspected or alleged abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation;

3)         investigative reports;

4)         injury location charts;

5)         records of financial transactions;

6)         summaries of conversations and communications with the eligible adult, the alleged or suspected abuser, and other sources of information;

7)         information relating to the mental competency of the eligible adult;

8)         information on the assessment of the eligible adult, including medical or psychiatric reports;

9)         summaries of the substantiation decision;

10)         summaries of services or interventions offered or arranged; and

11)         reports on the termination, resolution or closure of the case.

(Source:  Amended at 26 Ill. Reg. 3964, effective March 15, 2002)