Consumers & Families

Consumers Involved in a Crime

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To ensure that ELARC families and consumers are informed, we have posted these important protocols should your loved one be arrested or be the victim of a crime. Links and telephone numbers to local law enforcement agencies can be found here as well.

police lights

ARREST

When a consumer is arrested, there are some accommodations that can be made that are in accordance with the law. Care providers, family, and/or vendors should inform the arresting officer that the individual is a consumer of ELARC, and give the name and number of the individual's Service Coordinator. Alert the arresting officer of all medical conditions (e.g., seizure disorder, Epilepsy, etc.) and if the consumer is taking any medications (e.g., anticonvulsants, psychotropic medications, etc.). Request from the arresting officer that the consumer be separated from the general population for safety purposes.

Obtain the arresting officer's name, badge number, phone number of the arresting agency, arresting agency’s name (Sheriff or City Police), and the arrest report number.

Ask the arresting officer where the consumer will be taken to be booked.

Call or go to the police department and ask when the consumer will be arraigned.

Call ELARC (626) 299-4700 immediately and speak with your assigned Service Coordinator (SC). If he or she is not available, ask to speak with the Officer of the Day (OD). If you are calling outside of business hours, ask to speak with the On Duty Supervisor. Provide the SC, OD, or On Duty Supervisor with all information regarding the arrest.

VICTIM OF A CRIME

When a consumer is a victim of a crime, his or her IMMEDIATE Health & Safety must be assured and secured. This may entail the report being taken by a police officer at a hospital or safe location.

Family Members, care givers, vendor staff, or Service Coordinators must report the crime to the local police. When reporting the crime to the police, inform the police/investigating officer that the individual has a disability and is an ELARC consumer.

  • Be sure to obtain the officer's name, badge number, phone number, police agency name, and report number.
  • The Consumer/Victim may be eligible for the Victim-Witness Assistance Program (CalVCP). Click here to view and complete the application for the CalVCP.
  • Click here for instructions on how complete and return the form. 
  • If the crime is gang-related, the victim may be eligible for a Criminal Protective Order, relocation assistance, or court escort.

The Victims of Crime Resource Center (VCRC) provides free information on victim's legal rights. Visit their website to find information on:

  • Marsy's Law
  • Elder Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
  • Victim Services
  • Live Chat and much more.

You may also read more about them in this PDF document.

 

ELARC SERVICE COORDINATOR PROTOCOL

There is in place a Law Enforcement Procedure for ELARC staff that addresses communication between the Regional Center and law enforcement. When ELARC is notified or has knowledge that a consumer has been arrested and/or some type of forensic involvement has occurred, in best practice the following protocol should be implemented:

The Service Coordinator (SC) immediately generates a Special Incident Report (SIR), and completes as much information as possible (e.g., arresting agency, booking number, alleged/informed charge, arraignment date, court hearing date, etc.). Please note that there may be a discrepancy as to the alleged incident as well as when it was reported to ELARC.

The SC provides follow up that ELARC might require and who to notify if difficulties are encountered. If the consumer requires anticonvulsant and/or psychotropic medication, the SC will follow up with the in-custody physician and/or psychiatrist.

The SC will notify his or her supervisor of the incident and discuss any prior/high risk behavior and/or history of past forensic involvement of the consumer. The SC will review the current and, if available, prior case files to assess prior forensic involvement.

The SC will discuss the case with ELARC's Forensic Services Specialist.

The SC will complete an Interdisciplinary Documentation (ID) note for all of the above steps when completed.

For Adult Consumers, SCs can obtain the booking number and next hearing date via the Inmate Information Center on the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD) website.

For Minors, the consumer will be held in a Juvenile Hall facility until a court disposition is obtained. SCs will obtain from the family and/or service provider as much information as possible. There is no Juvenile Law Enforcement Liaison that exists in juvenile cases at this time. It is the responsibility of the SC to work with the family and all court personnel to ensure that the consumer’s needs are met as best as possible.

It is imperative that a representative/SC of ELARC be present at court hearings/appearances. Do not rely on or allow a vendor to represent ELARC or the family/care giver. Consultation with the Forensic Services Specialist throughout the court proceedings is critically important. The Forensics Services Specialist will assist the SC/ELARC staff in navigating all court proceedings.

SCs, along with ELARC's Forensic Services Specialist, should work collaboratively with all court counsel to assist in the best possible outcome for the consumer. Contact with the involved attorneys early on in the proceedings is highly recommended. The court should be made aware that the defendant is an ELARC consumer.

COURT PREPARATION | COURT FOLLOW UP | PROGRESS REPORTS

In addition to attending ALL court proceedings, having contact with the attorneys and other court personnel, SCs may be requested to prepare a court report with recommendations. All reports that are submitted to the court MUST be completed by the Service Coordinator. Court reports will need to be discussed and reviewed by the unit supervisor and the Forensic Services Specialist.

Additionally, ELARC has access to the Regional Center Law Enforcement Liaison who can assist in the following:

1.   Identify if a consumer is a Regional Center consumer, and if so, which Regional Center catchment area; request for protective housing/DD Pod within the jail.

2.  Notify the appropriate Regional Center that the consumer is in custody, who the SC is, and the next court hearing date; if the individual is NOT a Regional Center consumer, the jail liaison will direct the individual to the ELARC Assessment and Intake Unit.

3.  Relay to the Regional Center the consumer’s booking number, and type of charge.

If you have any questions regarding a consumer being arrested or to report a crime, please contact the arresting agency and your Service Coordinator.