In the event of a critical incident, involving any Massachesetts, Out-Of-State or Privately Funded student enrolled in a Hillcrest program, immediate notifications must be made by the Director of Quality Assurance, Program Director or designee.  Additional notifications must also be made in accordance with individual student’s placement agency’s agreement/contract and home state’s regulations.  Immediate notification is defined as within 24hrs of the incident unless otherwise specified.  When notification requirements conflict between agencies, the lesser time frame must be adhered to.

Immediate Electronic Notification through their web-based monitoring system to MA DESE is required for the following critical incidents that occur during school hours only for any enrolled student:

• The Death of Any Student: Immediate verbal and written notification to the student’s parents/guardians and school district;
• The filing of a 51A with DCF or a complaint filed with the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC),  against the school or a school staff member   for alleged abuse  or  neglect of any student;
• Any action taken by federal, state, or local agency that  might  jeopardize the agency’s licensing approval with ESE (i.e. federal or state investigations; closure of intake);
• Any legal proceeding brought against the agency/school or its employee(s) arising out of circumstances related to the care or education of any of its students;
• The hospitalization of a student (including out-patient emergency room and urgent care facility visits) due to physical injury at school or previously unidentified illness, accident or disorder which occurs while a student if in the program;
• A student run from the program; and
• Any other incident of a serious nature that occurs to a student or staff in the program (Some examples include: any police involvement, any media involvement, weapons,  alcohol or drug possession or use while in the program, firesetting).
• Massachusetts students ONLY: Emergency termination of a student under circumstances in which the student presents a clear and present threat to health and safety of him/herself or others pursuant 28.09(12)(b), that occurs during both school and residential hours.

Additional Notifications – In addition to the above list, the following critical incidents require immediate notification to be made in accordance with an individual student’s placement agency’s agreement/contract and home state’s regulations:

• Any injury resulting from a motor vehicle accident during a school or program -related event; and
• A serious injury resulting from a restraint

Agency-specific criteria for critical incidents and reporting forms/procedures can be found in the Critical Incidents folder in Google Suite Drive.