5-015.12 Determination of Case Status
473 NAC 5-015.12
Upon completion of the abuse/neglect investigation, investigative staff shall determine whether abuse/neglect occurred and make a determination of case status. The worker shall identify case status as one of the following:
1. Court-Substantiated - when a guardian or a conservator is appointed by a court, when a client is committed by a district mental health board, or when the alleged perpetrator is found guilty or pleads guilty to charges stemming from the alleged abuse/neglect.
2. Petition-to-be-Filed - when the worker determines that the best interest of the client would be served by guardianship, conservatorship, or mental health commitment, and has requested that an attorney file a petition for guardianship, conservator- ship, or mental health commitment.
3. Investigation Inconclusive/Acceptance of Services - when the worker determines the adult is endangered in his/her environment and/or is unable to care for or protect himself/herself without assistance from others, but legal intervention is not required or is not possible. The adult is willing to accept services.
4. Investigation Inconclusive/Refusal of Services - when the worker determines the adult is endangered in his/her environment and/or is unable to care for or protect himself/herself without assistance from others, but legal intervention is not possible and the adult refuses services.
5. Unfounded Complaint - when the worker determines through the investigation and needs assessment that there is no evidence that abuse/neglect occurred or when the worker has been unable, for good cause, to gather sufficient facts to support a decision within the time frames allowed (or with an approved extension of time), the report must be determined unfounded. NOTE: The Department shall advise any other individuals or agencies that received a copy of the record to amend, expunge, or destroy that record.
6. Unable to locate. See 474 NAC 5-015.11B.
7. Information Only - when the situation is resolved without worker - client contact (e.g., when a collateral contact is sufficient or when a licensing standards issue is reported to the Nebraska Department of Health).