Emergency Policies & Preparedness

At Ignite Families, we recognize that families and staff rely on us to be prepared for any emergency. Our policies align with Joint Commission Emergency Management Standards and Indiana state requirements to ensure we remain operational and protective of those we serve.

Key Components

96-Hour Emergency Operations Plan

Our facilities are prepared to operate for up to four days during an emergency, including maintaining staff coverage, communication channels, and client support.

Roles and Responsibilities

Each staff member is assigned specific emergency duties (ex: case documentation, family contact, safety checks). A designated Emergency Coordinator ensures communication between staff, families, and state agencies.

Communication Protocols

Staff are trained in phone trees, text alert systems, and electronic communication for rapid updates. Families are informed of emergency changes in visitation or casework schedules as soon as possible.

Evacuation & Shelter-in-Place

Exits are clearly marked and kept clear at all times. Families and staff are trained on evacuation routes and shelter-in-place procedures.

Sentinel Event Response

Any major event (such as serious injury, abuse, or facility crisis) is investigated immediately with corrective action taken and reported to oversight agencies.

Purpose: To ensure zero lapses in safety and continuity of care, even under crisis conditions.

Workforce Safety & Well-Being

Our employees are the backbone of Ignite Families. Their safety and well-being are vital to serving families effectively. We commit to creating a workplace that prioritizes physical safety, emotional health, and resilience.

Safety Framework

Workplace Violence Prevention Program

  • Zero tolerance for harassment, threats, or violence.
  • Clear reporting procedures (incident report form, direct supervisor, emergency line).
  • Designated Safety Officer reviews and responds to every incident.

Annual Risk Analysis

  • Yearly evaluations of workplace risks (physical spaces, visitations, community settings).
  • Immediate mitigation steps taken when risks are identified.

Training & Education

  • All staff trained at hire and annually in:
    1. De-escalation and conflict resolution
    2. Identifying high-risk situations in home visits
    3. Reporting safety incidents promptly

Well-being Framework

Resilience Supports

  • Peer support groups and mentorship programs.
  • Access to mental health and counseling resources.
  • Encouragement of self-care practices (sleep, nutrition, stress management).

Leadership Accountability

  • Supervisors required to monitor signs of burnout.
  • Regular check-ins with staff on caseload, workload, and wellness.

Purpose: To ensure employees feel safe, supported, and able to serve families with full presence and professionalism.

Child Abuse Recognition & Reporting

As a social services provider in Indiana, Ignite Families holds the legal and ethical responsibility to identify and report suspected child abuse or neglect immediately. Every staff member is a mandatory reporter.

Signs of Child Abuse

Physical Abuse

unexplained bruises, burns, broken bones.

Emotional Abuse

withdrawal, fearfulness, sudden changes in behavior.

Neglect

malnutrition, poor hygiene, lack of supervision, missing medical care.

Sexual Abuse

age-inappropriate knowledge, avoidance of certain individuals, unexplained injuries.

Reporting Responsibilities

All staff are mandatory reporters under Indiana law. You cannot delegate the responsibility; if you suspect it, you must report it.

Immunity for Reporters: Indiana law protects those who report in good faith from liability.

How to Report

  • Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline (24/7): 1-800-800-5556 (anonymous reports accepted).
  • If a child is in immediate danger: call 911 first.
  • DCS Ombudsman (complaints about how reports are handled):

Purpose: To ensure no child ever falls through the cracks, and that all staff understand both the signs and the process for reporting.

Visitation Safety Protocols

Visitation is an essential part of reunification and case management. Safety for both children and families is our top priority. Ignite Families follows strict protocols during supervised visitation.

Do’s

Verify visitor identity before visits begin.

Ensure all visits are conducted in approved, supervised settings.

Maintain line-of-sight supervision at all times.

Document visits thoroughly: attendance, interactions, incidents.

Don’ts

Never leave a child alone with an unauthorized individual.

Do not allow physical discipline, derogatory language, or unsafe behaviors.

Never permit visits in unsafe or unmonitored areas.

Emergencies During Visits

If immediate danger is present: Call 911.

Report incident to supervisor immediately.

Complete incident report within 24 hours.

Purpose: To protect children while supporting family connections in a safe, structured environment.

Additional Learning Library Sections

Visitation is an essential part of reunification and case management. Safety for both children and families is our top priority. Ignite Families follows strict protocols during supervised visitation.

Respite & Crisis Care

Staff must be trained on placement disruption protocols—knowing how to stabilize a child when sudden moves occur.

Crisis teams must coordinate with DCS within 1 hour of placement disruption.

All staff should keep a Crisis Contact List on hand: DCS caseworkers, supervisors, foster families, and emergency law enforcement contacts.

Provide immediate support to children experiencing placement transitions with trauma-informed techniques (comfort items, calm space, reassurance).

Burnout Prevention & Staff Resilience

Workload management strategies

Encourage pacing, case prioritization, and time-blocking.

Stress management techniques

Breathing exercises, short breaks, mindfulness.

Peer support systems

Every new hire is paired with a mentor for their first 90 days.

Open-door policy

Supervisors must check in bi-weekly on staff morale and emotional well-being.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Confidential access to counseling and support services.

Sentinel Event Reporting

Sentinel events are rare but critical. Examples: serious injury to a child during services, suicide attempts during care, or violence occurring in visitation.

01

Immediate action: Ensure safety of all involved.

02

Notification: Contact supervisor and Rod Strozier II within 1 hour.

03

Documentation: Complete Sentinel Event Report within 24 hours.

04

Investigation: Internal review conducted within 72 hours.

05

Corrective Action Plan: Developed and submitted to oversight bodies as required by The Joint Commission.

Drug Overdose Response Policy

Families we serve may struggle with substance use disorders, and overdose situations may occur during home visits, community sessions, or even in visitation settings. Staff must know how to recognize, respond, and act decisively.

Signs & Symptoms of Overdose

  • Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
  • Blue/pale lips or fingertips
  • Unresponsiveness or inability to wake up
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Gurgling, choking, or snoring-like sounds
  • Vomiting, seizures, or limp body

Immediate Response Steps

  1. Call 911 immediately (always first step).
  2. Check responsiveness and breathing.
  3. Administer Narcan (Naloxone) if available.
  4. Begin rescue breathing or CPR if trained and necessary.
  5. Stay with the individual until emergency responders arrive.

Narcan (Naloxone) Use:

  • What it is: Narcan is a life-saving medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses.
  • How it works: It binds to opioid receptors and blocks/reverses the effects of opioids.
  • Administration:
    1. Remove Narcan spray from package.
    2. Place nozzle into one nostril.
    3. Firmly press plunger to release dose.
    4. If no response in 2–3 minutes, administer a second dose in the other nostril.
  • Aftercare: Once revived, individuals may be disoriented or aggressive. Keep them safe and calm until EMS arrives.

Staff Protocol:

  • All staff must complete annual overdose response training, including hands-on Narcan use.
  • Narcan kits must be kept on hand in field bags and office visitation rooms.
  • Every overdose incident must be reported as a sentinel event and documented immediately.

Purpose: To protect families, staff, and community members, while reinforcing our readiness to respond to real-world crises with professionalism and care.

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Policy

All Ignite Families staff are required to complete CPR training and certification through an accredited provider (e.g., Red Cross, AHA).

When to Use CPR:

  • No breathing or only gasping.
  • No pulse within 10 seconds.

Adult/Child CPR Steps

  • Call 911.
  • Push hard and fast in the center of the chest (100–120 compressions per minute).
  • Provide rescue breaths if trained: 2 breaths after every 30 compressions.

Infant CPR (under 1 year)

  • Use two fingers in the center of the chest.
  • Depth: ~1.5 inches.
  • 30 compressions + 2 breaths.

Purpose: To ensure immediate life-saving action until EMS arrives.

Car Seat Safety Policy

Proper car seat installation is critical for child safety. Ignite Families staff supervising transportation or coaching parents must know these guidelines (based on Indiana law and CDC recommendations).

Rear-Facing Seats

  • For infants and toddlers up to 2 years OR until they reach the seat’s height/weight limit.
  • Typical limits: 22–35 pounds.
  • Install at 40° angle, straps at or below child’s shoulders.

Forward-Facing Seats

  • For children at least 2 years AND 20+ pounds, but ideally after age 4.
  • Use harness straps at or above shoulders.
  • Tighten harness so you cannot pinch extra material.

General Rules

  • Car seats should never be placed in the front seat with an active airbag.
  • Always check installation with the seat belt lock system or LATCH system.
  • Parents should have car seat inspected by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Purpose: To minimize injuries and fatalities in motor vehicle accidents.

Pandemic Response Plan

Ignite Families will comply with DCS, CDC, and state health department guidance during any national or statewide health crisis (COVID-19, flu pandemic, etc.).

Core Strategies

Coordination with Authorities

  • Follow CDC infection control protocols.
  • Report staff exposures to DCS and health department.

Service Adaptations

  • Use telehealth/virtual visitation where permitted.
  • Outdoor or socially distanced visitation as appropriate.
  • PPE (masks, gloves, sanitizer) required in in-person services.

Workforce Safety

  • Symptom screening before entering homes/visitation centers.
  • Paid sick leave for symptomatic staff to prevent spread.

Purpose: To protect staff and families while ensuring continuity of services.

Active Shooter Protocol

Ignite Families follows the DHS “Run, Hide, Fight” protocol.

If inside a building

  • Run – evacuate if safe. Leave belongings.
  • Hide – lock/barricade doors, silence phones, stay out of sight.
  • Fight – only as last resort, use objects to defend yourself.

If with clients/children

  • Keep children with you at all times.
  • Do not attempt to reunite families until law enforcement declares the area safe.

Who to Call

  • Call 911 immediately when safe.
  • Notify supervisor and Emergency Coordinator.

Purpose: To reduce risk of injury and protect staff/clients during violent events.

Kidnapping/Abduction Protocol

If Attempted Abduction During Visitation

  • Call 911 immediately.
  • Yell loudly for help.
  • Use safe intervention techniques to maintain control of child without escalating violence.
  • Alert supervisor and document incident.

If Successful Abduction

  • Provide law enforcement with:
    • Child description
    • Suspect description
    • Vehicle/license info
    • Last known direction
  • Notify DCS and family caseworker immediately.

Purpose: To safeguard children in supervised visitation and respond effectively if incidents occur.

Fire Safety Plan

If Fire Occurs

  • Activate fire alarm and call 911.
  • Evacuate clients/children immediately.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • Gather at designated assembly area.
  • Take attendance and notify responders if anyone is missing.

Using a Fire Extinguisher (PASS Method)

  • Pull the pin.
  • Aim at the base of the fire.
  • Squeeze handle.
  • Sweep side to side.

Purpose: To ensure safe evacuation and effective small fire response.

Tornado & Earthquake Plan

Tornado (common in Indiana)

  • If indoors: Move to basement, storm shelter, or interior hallway away from windows.
  • If outdoors (park, restaurant, etc.): Seek nearest sturdy shelter. If none, lie flat in a ditch/low area covering head/neck.

Earthquake

  • If indoors: Drop, cover, and hold on under sturdy furniture. Stay away from windows.
  • If outdoors: Move away from buildings, trees, and power lines.
  • If driving: Pull over, stop, and remain in vehicle until shaking stops.

Purpose: To ensure staff can protect themselves and clients during natural disasters in both office and community settings.