MANDATED REPORTER
Scope:
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and interns of We Do Life…
Together (WDLT) who, through the course of their work, interact with Individuals
with disabilities or receive information concerning possible abuse or neglect.
Policy and Policy Definitions:
This policy outlines the responsibility of all employees, contractors, and interns of
WDLT to report suspected abuse or neglect of Individuals with disabilities, in
compliance with the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Abuse and Neglect Policy and Connecticut State law.
To ensure clarity, the following terms are defined:
• Abuse: The willful infliction by a caregiver of physical pain or injury, or the
willful deprivation of services necessary to the physical safety of an Individual.
• Financial Exploitation: The theft or misappropriation of property and/or
monetary resources which are intended to be used for or by an Individual.
• Mandated Reporter: Any employee, contractor, or intern who has interactions
with vulnerable Individuals and is legally required to report suspected abuse or
neglect.
• Neglect: The failure by a caregiver, through action or inaction, to provide an
Individual with the services necessary to maintain his or her physical and mental
health and safety, including incidents of inappropriate or unwanted Individual to
Individual sexual contact. Neglect is also a situation in which an Individual lives
alone and is not able to provide for him/herself the services which are necessary to
maintain his physical, mental health or safety.
• Programmatic Neglect: Failure to provide oversight in developing or
implementing an Individual’s program, and/or ensuring staff training which
ensures an Individual’s wellbeing and safety.