If someone is in immediate danger, CALL 911.

Olivia Cleveland, Investigative Agent

Phone: (419) 447-7521
ext. 1142
Email: ocleveland@senecadd.org
Fax: (419) 448-5294

To report allegations of abuse, neglect or other Major Unusual Incidents:

1.

During business hours, call (419) 447-7521, extension 1142 to speak with Olivia Cleveland, or press 0 to speak to an operator.
2.

After hours, holidays, or weekend calls should be made to (419) 937-4023.
3.

Reports may also be made to Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Abuse and Neglect hotline during business hours, or you may report abuse or neglect online.

Report MUIs »
What Happens When a MUI Occurs? »
Examples of MUIs »
Examples of UIs »
Importance of Reporting »
FAQs »

Reporting Health, Safety and Welfare Concerns

The health, safety and welfare of people we support is our primary concern. Seneca County Opportunity Center takes this role very seriously and has many safeguards in place to ensure there is ongoing oversight. If you have any concerns about an individual and their services at any time, please contact us.

Not sure if your situation is a MUI?

SEE EXAMPLES

What Happens When a Major Unusual Incident Occurs?

An MUI is any alleged, suspected or actual incident that adversely affects the health, safety or welfare of an individual with a disability.
MUIs can be reported by individuals with disabilities, staff, families, providers, or the general public.
For incidents of an alleged crime, we work with the local law enforcement.

Step 1

A MUI or an UI occurs.

Step 2

Someone reports the incident.

Step 3

Investigative Agent initiates an investigation.

Step 4

Causes and contributing factors are identified.

Step 5

A prevention plan is put in place.

Examples of Major Unusual Incidents

Physical abuse
Significant injury
Sexual abuse
Verbal abuse
Attempted suicide
Death
Exploitation
Medical emergency
Missing individual
Neglect
Unapproved behavior support
Unscheduled hospital admission or a significant injury
Failure to report
Prohibited sexual relations
Rights code violations
Peer to peer acts

Examples of Unusual Incidents

ER or Urgent Care visits
Dental injuries
Falls
An injury that is not a significant injury
Medication errors without a likely risk to health and welfare
Overnight relocation of an individual due to a fire, natural disaster, or mechanical failure
An incident involving two individuals served that is not a peer-to-peer act
Rights code violations or unapproved behavior supports without a likely risk to health and welfare
Program implantation incidents

Why is it important to report an incident?

The MUI reporting system helps protect all individuals with developmental disabilities by allowing agencies to identify causes and factors that lead up to an incident.

Reporting an MUI reduces the likelihood of the incident occurring again. It also provides critical data that helps to determine trends and preventative plans that will lead to better protections.

FAQs About Reporting Abuse

What is a UI (Unusual Incident) and how is It different than a MUI?

An Unusual Incident is an incident that is not consistent with a person’s care or service plan.
Unusual Incidents are not as serious as MUIs but need to be investigated to ensure everyone is safe and to prevent future occurrences.
Unusual Incidents are investigated by providers, while MUIs are investigated by county boards of developmental disabilities or developmental center investigators.
MUIS may require law enforcement and other agencies to be involved.

What are different types of MUIs?

Ohio Administrative Code 513-17-02 provides 19 MUI Classifications

Accidental or Suspicious Death
Attempted Suicide
Exploitation
Failure to Report
Law Enforcement
Medical Emergency
Misappropriation
Missing Individual
Neglect
Non-Accidental or Suspicious Death
Peer-to-Peer Act
Physical Abuse
Prohibited Sexual RElations
Rights Code Violation
Sexual Abuse
Significant Injury
Unanticipated Hospitalizations
Unapproved Behavior Support
Verbal Abuse

Who reports MUIs?

People with developmental disabilities regardless of service reception
Providers of service, both in the home and in the community
Family members and caregivers
All county board staff
General public
Anyone paid to provide Medicaid waiver services

Whom do you report it to?

Law Enforcement, as applicable
Children or Adult Protective Services
Seneca County Board of DD staff
DODD’s Abuse and Neglect hotline during business hours, or the DODD’s online reporting system.

Who investigates?

MUIs are investigated by an Investigative Agent hired by the county board.
Law enforcement or other agencies may investigate if necessary.
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities may investigate when it is a conflict of interest for the county board to investigate.

What does the Investigative Agent do when a report is made?

Ensures immediate actions and proper notifications are made
Notifies proper authorities when needed
Reports occurrences to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities within 24 hours of knowledge of the incident

What’s the role of the provider?

Take immediate action to protect the person’s health and safety
Notify the legal guardian the same day as the incident
Report all incidents, no later than 4 hours after being made aware, to the SCBDD about MUI allegations
Notify law enforcement and/or children services of alleged crime if abuse or neglect is suspected and the person is younger than 21
Share a written incident report with the county board by 3 p.m. on the first working day following the day they became aware
Implement prevention plans to reduce future incidents

What’s the role of SCBDD?

Ensure health and welfare by identifying the MUI and supporting the provider in taking immediate actions to meet the needs of the person served
Work with the individual team to create a prevention plan
Provide linkage, resources and support to the individual and their team

What’s the role of the DODD?

Review all initial reports to ensure that immediate actions have occurred, notifications are made, and the MUIs have been classified appropriately
Conduct investigations where it is a conflict for the county boards to do so
Review cases prior to closure to ensure appropriate causes and contributing factors have been identified and that a prevention plan has been developed
Manage the Abuser Registry
Conduct MUI training for people with disabilities, families, county boards, and providers
Create Health and Welfare Alerts
Assess statewide patterns and trends about MUIs
Conduct mortality reviews

Visit https://dodd.ohio.gov/health-and-welfare for more information.

Why are families contacted for info?

The MUI system is set up to help protect all individuals in the Developmental Disabilities system. By looking at individual and group data, we can see trends that can be addressed leading to better protections. These trends and patterns may include

lack of access to adequate health care
lack of diagnosis
lack of identification of new problems for people with certain syndromes
lack of necessary supports

Reporting helps DODD and SCOC to get a better picture of what is happening and helps both departments to make improvements in the system that benefit everyone.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

REPORT ABUSE/MUI