CLIENT REPORTING MEASURES

Reporting Abuse, Neglect, & Exploitation

Section 393.13(3)(a), Florida Statutes

Persons with developmental disabilities shall have a right to dignity, privacy, and humane care, including the right to be free from abuse, including sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Staff who work with you will help you to understand what abuse, neglect, and exploitation mean. There are 4 kinds of abuse including physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual. Physical abuse is when you are hurt physically such as being hit, pushed, bitten, or choked. Emotional abuse when you are hurt emotionally, such as when someone curses or swears at you, blames you for things, hurts how you feel about yourself, or criticizes your thoughts and feelings. Psychological abuse is when someone makes you afraid or confused such as threatening you or throwing, breaking, or hiding things. Sexual abuse is any non-consenting sexual act or behavior.

If you suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation, talk to staff or anyone you trust. Call 1-800-962-2873. TTY users call 1-800-453-5145.

Reporting Rights Violations

The United States Constitution

The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which limit the power of the U.S. federal government. These limitations serve to protect the natural rights of liberty and property including freedoms of religion, speech, a free press, free assembly, and free association, as well as the right to keep and bear arms.

Title XXIX Chapter 393.13 Treatment of persons with developmental disabilities also known as "The Bill of Rights of Persons with Developmental Disabilities"

The purpose of "The Bill of Rights of Persons with Developmental Disabilities" is to re-confirm that persons with developmental disabilities have all the rights of any citizen of the state and the United States and to explain the existing legal and human rights of persons with developmental disabilities. It ensures that the system of care provided to individuals with developmental disabilities must be designed to meet the needs of the clients as well as protect the integrity of their legal and human rights and that the design and delivery of treatment and services to persons with developmental disabilities should be directed by the principles of self-determination.

If you feel your rights have been violated, talk to staff or anyone you trust.

Incidents

Anytime there is an incident involving a client, staff are required to report the incident. Incidents include such events as hospitalizations, law enforcement involvement, altercations, injuries requiring more than first aid, and medication errors. Any suspicion of abuse, neglect, or exploitation will also be reported as an incident. If you believe an incident has occurred, talk to staff or anyone you trust.

Grievances

Grievances include such things as conflicts (between neighbors, roommates, family, etc) and complaints (about staff, provider, etc). You have the right to have your grievance addressed.

Steps to take if you have a problem:

1.	If the problem is between you and your roommate, friend, neighbor, or other non-staff person, try to resolve the issue yourself. Staff will assist you with this, if necessary.

2.	If the problem concerns staff or your provider, then talk to the person to find a resolution.

3.	If the problem cannot be resolved, talk to the program administrator.

4.	Complete the Grievance Form, if the problem is not resolved.

5.	If the problem is still not resolved, talk to your support coordinator.

6.	If you feel your grievance still has not been resolved, complete the Grievance Form, give it to the Program Administrator, and the matter will be turned over to APD at your request within 10 days. You are entitled to have your grievance responded to in writing within 30 days.