Best Practices show using a team approach to develop a Prevention Plan is crucial for a strong plan. Follow these simple tips to create an effective and collaborative Prevention Plan.

A person’s support team is responsible for developing MUI prevention plans to address all of the cause and contributing factors to an MUI identified by an Investigative Agent (per OAC 5123-17-02(K)(2). While a person’s SSA is the point person who needs to ensure a prevention plan is developed and submitted, SSAs should not create these prevention plans alone. Timely cooperation from providers and other team members is essential to developing a strong prevention plan that will protect an individual.

TIP: Important team members to include when developing a prevention plan:

• The Individual/Guardian;
• The Provider of Incident;
• Other Relevant Service Providers;
• Health Care Professionals;
• Identified Natural Supports;
• & Other Team Members (such as SLP, OT/PT, Behavior Health, SWAT SSAs)

TIP: Important factors to consider when developing comprehensive prevention plans:

• Know your due dates. Prevention plans must be submitted to the IA for approval prior to the cases due date to DODD. IAs cannot close a MUI investigation without a team & an IA-approved prevention plan
• Be thorough. Make sure the plan addresses each identified cause/contributing factor
• Be specific. Identify who is going to do what, when they are going to do it, where the plan will take effect, and how it will be implemented
• Don’t forget training. Remember training of some sort will be needed for almost all prevention plans, even if there is not a change to the ISP. If any new information is being relayed to a DSP or other team members, formal verification is required (per rule) that this information was relayed and understood
• Think long term. The plan should incorporate long-term planning and not just restate the immediate actions
• Include the team. Include input from a variety of sources, including the individual/guardian when appropriate
• Consider the impact on other services. Be sure to take into consideration if the plan will affect other service areas and if other providers of services will need to be notified of the plan
• Include a plan for monitoring and re-evaluation. If the plan is not working like it was intended, change it to better meet the needs of the person served
• Do not blame or punish. A prevention plan should never blame or punish the victim. Consider if the preventive measures will make a positive difference in the life of this individual.

While IAs are not considered an official part of an individual’s team, IAs are available to act as a resource for prevention plan development. The typical IA in Summit County will investigate over 160 cases each year and can be a great resource for prevention plan ideas. If you need suggestions for a particular MUI, please reach out to the assigned IA for further suggestions.