CLEVELAND 2020 


 


DEAF PATHWAYS 


COLLABORATION CHARTE
R 


 


 

 

 

 

 

Opti-Speech Clinical Trial at CHSC

CONTENTS 
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 2 
ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................................................... 2 
GLOSSARY OF TERMS .................................................................................................................................... 2 
VISION STATEMENT ...................................................................................................................................... 6 
MISSION STATEMENT ................................................................................................................................... 6 
VALUES AND ASSUMPTIONS ......................................................................................................................... 7 
Values ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 
Assumptions .............................................................................................................................................. 8 
MEMBER AGENCIES ...................................................................................................................................... 9 
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) ......................................................................................................... 9 
Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center (CHSC) .......................................................................................... 9 
COMMITMENT & CONTRIBUTIONS ............................................................................................................ 10 
COMMUNICATION PLAN ............................................................................................................................. 13 
Internal Communication ......................................................................................................................... 13 
External Communication ........................................................................................................................ 14 
Communication with Vera Institute of Justice .................................................................................... 14 
DECISION-MAKING PROTOCOL ................................................................................................................... 15 
Consensus Model .................................................................................................................................... 15 
Majority Rule Model ............................................................................................................................... 16 
Unilateral Model ..................................................................................................................................... 16 
Agency-level Decisions ............................................................................................................................ 17 
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT PLAN ................................................................................................................. 17 
CONFIDENTIALITY ....................................................................................................................................... 18 
MANDATED REPORTING ............................................................................................................................. 19 
WORK PLAN ................................................................................................................................................ 20 
CONTACT US ............................................................................................................................................... 20 
Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center .................................................................................................... 20 
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center .................................................................................................................. 20 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................................... 20 
APPENDIX 1: MEDIA DOCUMENT ............................................................................................................... 22 
APPENDIX 2: OHIO REVISED CODE .............................................................................................................. 24 

INTRODUCTION 

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center are embarking on this 
charter process to better plan for and serve Deaf and Hard of Hearing survivors of rape and 
sexual abuse. Our two agencies saw a gap in services for this population of survivors and 
applied for the OVW Disabilities Grant in 2019. Upon receiving the grant, Deaf Pathways was 
created to better serve each agency’s respective service area. We look forward to collaborating 
throughout this process to learn from one another, improve our services, and offer equitable 
access to survivors. 

ACRONYMS 

ASL: American Sign Language 

CCDHH: Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 

CDI: Certified Deaf Interpreter 

CHSC: Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center 

CODA: Children of Deaf Adults 

CRCC: Cleveland Rape Crisis Center 

D/HoH: Deaf or Hard of Hearing 

LEP: Limited English Proficient 

KODA: Kids of Deaf Adults 

OAD: Ohio Association of the Deaf, Inc. 

OVW: Office on Violence Against Women 

RID: The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf 

SA: Sexual Assault 

SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

SV: Sexual Violence 

TIC: Trauma Informed Care 

VRI: Video Remote Interpreting 

VRS: Video Relay Service 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

Ally: A person who holds a privilege, acknowledges that privilege, and works to end 
oppression. An ally in the Deaf community refers to an individual who is supportive of ASL, Deaf 
Culture, Deaf life, and the diverse, intersecting identities within Deaf Culture. A Deaf Ally 
advocates against audism and promotes the equitable treatment of Deaf individuals. 

ASL: ASL is the language of Deaf people in North America. It is a visual-spatial language with its 
own linguistic properties. ASL is not a written language, nor is it signs based on English, 


although English idioms and phrases can be borrowed. ASL is not a universal language, as there 
are many sign languages all over the world, just like spoken languages.1 

1 https://education.victimsofcrime.org/lessons/translating-justice-what-is-language-access-and-why-does-it-
matter/, May 2020 

2 Ibid. 

3 https://education.victimsofcrime.org/lessons/translating-justice-what-is-language-access-and-why-
does-it-matter/, May 2020 

4 Ibid. 

5 Ibid. 

 

Audism: Discrimination or prejudice based on a person’s ability to hear. Audism is also 
understood as “hearing superiority.” The belief that one is superior based on the ability to hear 
or behave in the manner of one who hears. In other words, the idea that life without hearing is 
less valuable.2 

 

Certified Deaf Interpreter: A CDI is a Deaf specialist who provides cultural and linguistic 
expertise. As a native signer with a lifetime of experience as a Deaf individual, the CDI is also 
trained to ensure that communication is effective. The CDI is a valuable asset to any situation 
that requires complicated and sometimes emotional communication situations, and who often 
works as a unit with an ASL interpreter.3 

 

Certified Interpreter: A certified interpreter is an interpreter who has passed a valid and 
reliable certification exam administered by an independent entity such as the National Center 
for State Courts (ACEBO).4 

 

Co-Advocacy: Co-advocacy is a collaborative process that starts with an agreement that victim-
related service programs will work together to ensure that they are providing culturally and 
linguistically appropriate resources and services. It requires ongoing communication and 
sharing of information, resources, and tools between culturally specific and non-culturally 
specific service programs, as well as working together with the victim or survivor to ensure his 
or her needs are met.5 

 

Deaf: A capital Deaf denotes a cultural distinction, defining a group of people who are deaf and 
identify themselves as members of a linguistic and cultural group. This is akin to other ethnic 
groups, such as Hispanic, African-American, Pacific Islander, and so on. 

 

Deaf Culture: Gallaudet University states, “American Deaf culture centers on the use of ASL and 
identification and unity with other people who are Deaf. A Deaf sociolinguist, Dr. Barbara 
Kannapel, developed a definition of the American Deaf culture that includes a set of learned 
behaviors of a group of people who are deaf and who have their own language (ASL), values, 


rules, and traditions6.” Deaf culture is key to Deaf identity and also includes the use of art, 
literacy traditions, history, and social beliefs. 

6 Clerc Center- Gallaudet University - https://www3.gallaudet.edu/clerc-center/info-to-go/deaf-
culture/american-deaf-culture.html 

7 https://www.racialequitytools.org/glossary#diversity, 2020. 

8 Neil Glickman, Language Deprivation and Deaf Mental Health, 2019. 

Diversity: Diversity refers to all the ways in which people differ, and it encompasses all the 
different characteristics that make one individual or group different from another. It is all-
inclusive and recognizes everyone and every group as part of the diversity that should be 
valued.7 

Equal vs Equitable: 

• Equality: Refers to the distribution of the same resources between individuals and 
groups 
• Equity: Refers to providing all people the resources that they need in order to achieve 
the same or comparable outcomes 


 

Hard of Hearing: Having some degree of hearing loss ranging from mild to profound. People 
who are hard of hearing may benefit from the use of hearing aids or other assistive listening 
devices. In the U.S. context, they depend primarily upon spoken English in communicating with 
others. 

 

Intersectionality: Coined in 1989 by Kimberlé Crenshaw. Intersectionality describes the 
experience of multiple oppressions simultaneously. It examines how intersections between 
identities interact with systems of oppression, contributing to systemic injustice and social 
inequalities. 

 

Language Deprivation Syndrome: Language Deprivation or Language Deprivation Syndrome is 
defined by Sanjay Gulati as incomplete neurodevelopment as a result of incomplete language 
acquisition in those critical years of life (0-5). It results from a child not being exposed to a 
consistent and fully elaborated language. It is a functional disability that involves a constellation 
of social, emotional, intellectual and other consequences. Because language mediates and 
underlies every human activity understanding the effects of LDS requires understanding of 
many different fields. The result of this early deprivation of language is a devastating and 
preventable intellectual disability.8 

Qualified Interpreter: is a definition under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires 
that individuals needing sign language interpreting services receive them from qualified 
interpreters. The federal regulations define “qualified interpreter” very specifically, as “… an 
interpreter who is able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially both receptively and 


expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary.” “Certified interpreter” (see above) 
goes one step further; although certification is not a federal requirement, it remains the best 
way to provide the quality assurance necessary to meet the requirements of federal law when 
you provide communications access through sign language interpreting. 

 

Rape: Rape is a form of sexual assault, but not all sexual assault is rape. The term rape is often 
used as a legal definition to specifically include sexual penetration without consent. For its 
Uniform Crime Reports, the FBI defines rape as “penetration, no matter how slight, of the 
vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another 
person, without the consent of the victim.”9 

9 https://www.rainn.org/articles/sexual-assault, May 2020 

10 Ibid. 

11 https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/global_campaign/en/chap6.pdf, May 2020 

12 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a 
Trauma-Informed Approach. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4884. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration, 2014. 

 

Sexual Assault: The term sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without 
explicit consent of the victim. Some forms of sexual assault include: 

• Attempted rape 
• Fondling or unwanted sexual touching 
• Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or penetrating the 
perpetrator’s body 
• Penetration of the victim’s body, also known as rape10 


 

Sexual Violence: any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or 
advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person’s sexuality using coercion, 
by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not 
limited to home and work.11 

 

Trauma: SAMHSA describes individual trauma as resulting from "an event, series of events, or 
set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or 
life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, 
physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being."12 Trauma can also be historical and 
communal, such as trauma and emotional harm caused by years of oppression aimed at one or 
more cultural, racial or ethnic group. 

 

Trauma Informed Care: A program, organization, or system that is trauma-informed realizes 
the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognizes the 
signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system; 


and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and 
practices, and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization.13 

13 Ibid 

 

Video Relay Service: VRS is a video telecommunication service that allows Deaf, hard of 
hearing, and individuals with speech needs to communicate over video telephones and similar 
technologies with hearing people in real-time, via a sign language interpreter. 

 

Video Remote Interpreting: VRI is a video telecommunication service that uses devices such as 
web cameras or videophones to provide sign language or spoken language interpreting 
services. This is done through a remote or offsite interpreter, in order to communicate with 
persons with whom there is a communication barrier. 

VISION STATEMENT 

Deaf Pathways envisions a society where all service providers and systems are trauma 
informed, fully resourced, and prepared to offer equitable and accessible services to Deaf and 
Hard of Hearing survivors of rape and sexual abuse. We envision services that promote healing 
and empowerment in a timely, trustful, and safe manner that elevates Deaf Culture, as well as 
all variations of communication preferences and access. Deaf Pathways envisions a future of 
empowered individuals and agencies where equity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people and 
sexual violence survivors remain at the forefront of services. 

MISSION STATEMENT 

Deaf Pathways’ mission is to create sustainable systems change within our agencies by: 

• Prioritizing a client-focused approach and letting the input of those we serve guide our 
practices 
• Identifying and addressing barriers within the Deaf community and working to eliminate 
those barriers to receiving services 
• Providing creative resources, education, and training to agency staff to respond to 
current and future needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing survivors of sexual assault 
• Implementing strategies for effective communication, such as using in-person ASL 
interpreters, especially when serving survivors of sexual violence experiencing trauma 
• Providing outreach and education to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community regarding 
sexual violence and the accessible services that are available 
• Promoting healing and empowering survivors to make their own informed decisions 
• Promoting transparency and educating agency staff continuously on topics such as, but 
not limited to: trauma informed care, how to respond to disclosures of sexual violence, 
Deaf Culture and barriers to services. 
• Leveraging existing collaborations with systems and other service providers to inform 
best practices and decisions that impact our clients 



• Advocating for Deaf survivors of sexual violence outside of our own agencies and 
communities 


VALUES AND ASSUMPTIONS 

The members of Deaf Pathways have determined that for effective and sustainable 
collaboration, we must outline a set of values and assumptions that we will adhere to and 
believe to be true. These will guide us in our planning and implementation process and bring us 
closer to accomplishing our mission and vision. 

Values 

Deaf Pathways values the following: 

• Deep and meaningful relationships that allow for successful collaboration and 
sustainable programming. 
• The expertise of each individual involved in our collaboration--the team at Cleveland 
Rape Crisis Center and Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center are experts in their field 
and we value their input on how to best serve survivors of rape and sexual abuse within 
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community 
• Equitable access to communication and accessible services for all individuals 
• Cultural humility and respect for differences in identity, language, and racial and ethnic 
backgrounds 
• The six pillars of Trauma-Informed Care14, which consist of: 
o Safety: All clients and members of Deaf Pathways feel physically and 
psychologically safe 
o Trustworthiness and Transparency: Deaf Pathways values building and 
maintaining trust through transparency and open communication 
o Peer Support: We value the concept of mutual self-help and utilizing stories and 
lived experiences to promote recovery and healing 
o Collaboration and Mutuality: Everyone has a role to play in a trauma-informed 
approach and healing happens in relationships. Meaningful sharing of power 
and decision-making is valued and important. 
o Empowerment and Choice: Throughout the collaboration and with clients 
served, individuals’ strengths and experiences are recognized and built upon 
o Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues: Deaf Pathways actively moves past 
cultural stereotypes and biases (e.g. based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, 
age, religion, gender-identity, geography, ability etc.) and values the 
incorporation of policies, protocols, and processes that are responsive to the 
racial, ethnic, and cultural needs of individuals served; and recognizes and 
addresses historical trauma 





14 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a 
Trauma-Informed Approach. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 14-4884. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration, 2014. 


• Human dignity and the right to a life free from violence and harm 
• Recovery and healing from sexual violence 
• Believing survivors when they disclose sexual abuse 
• Life-long learning and the pursuit of continuous education 
• The art of advocacy, which includes listening empathetically, offering support and 
resources, and uplifting the experiences of survivors as they navigate services and 
systems 
• Confidentiality: We support an individual’s right to manage and disclose personal 
information while still being committed to respecting the mandated reporting 
requirements outlined in the Ohio Revised Code 
• Timely access for services for all survivors, no matter their language or additional 
accommodation requests 


Assumptions 

• ASL and English are two completely different languages that hold equal merit and 
should be treated as such 
• All individuals have different lived experiences that shape how they navigate the world. 
• Identity is complex and individuals may be marginalized in more than one way. 
Intersectionality must be acknowledged and respected to properly serve survivors 
• There is a long history of limited educational access for Deaf individuals and as a result, 
members within the Deaf community may have a limited understanding of the 
definition and scope of sexual violence 
• Members of the Deaf Community have their own cultural norms and values that differ 
from those of hearing individuals 
• There is still silence, shame and stigma that surrounds sexual violence in society today 
• In society, survivors are often not believed when they come forward about their sexual 
assault. Furthermore, Deaf survivors are even less believed than their hearing 
counterparts when they disclose sexual violence has occurred 
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing survivors have many additional barriers to disclosing sexual 
violence and receiving services than hearing survivors 
• The number one reason survivors do not come forward is a fear of not being believed 
• Healing is not linear and survivors recover at their own time and pace. Survivors have 
the right to choose what services are right for them and when they want to receive 
them. 
• Sexual violence is used as a means of power and control 
• Sexual violence can happen to anyone and spans across all demographics. It does not 
discriminate around race, sexual orientation, ability, gender identity, religion, 
socioeconomic status, etc. 
• All individuals are resilient and have inner strength 



MEMBER AGENCIES 

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) 

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is one of the largest free-standing Rape Crisis Centers in the US, 
reaching more than 40,000 individuals each year with its comprehensive services. 

Founded in 1974, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has grown from a grassroots, volunteer-run 
hotline service to assist survivors of rape and sexual abuse to a 70+ employee nonprofit 
organization providing leading counseling services, victim assistance in the justice system, 
and 24-hour services to survivors of rape and sexual abuse in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and 
Ashtabula Counties. 

CRCC’s vision is the elimination of sexual violence. CRCC’s mission is supports survivors of rape 
and sexual abuse, promotes healing and prevention and advocates for social change. The 
organization also serves survivors of human trafficking. 

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center also offers education programs to hundreds of organizations, 
schools and businesses throughout Northeast Ohio including Cuyahoga County, Lake County, 
Geauga County and Ashtabula County. We believe that outreach to the community and 
education and prevention services are vital components in eliminating sexual violence. 

CRCC has extensive experience in successfully conducting outreach in underserved 
communities. Using a multi-pronged approach is crucial; from social media to simply showing 
up at community events, the primary lesson is to listen to members of the community about 
what is most effective and to build and nurture trust. 

The representatives from CRCC are: 

Kirsti Mouncey, LISW-S, LCDCIII, Chief Program Officer 

Wendy Leatherberry, Director of Grants and Contracts 

Sharon Kidd, Director of Education and Outreach 

Rachel Wright, Deaf Pathways Manager. She is employed by Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and is 
the liaison between both agencies. 

Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center (CHSC) 

Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center (CHSC) is the oldest freestanding speech and hearing center 
in the United States. Founded in 1921, it remains Northeast Ohio’s only non-profit agency 
dedicated to helping individuals gain or regain their ability to communicate with others and live 
more independently, serving adults and children in Northeast Ohio who are D/deaf, hard of 
hearing, or have communication challenges. Today, CHSC serves thousands of Northeast 
Ohioans, providing clinical services in speech-language pathology, audiology, outreach to 
families of infants and toddlers who are deaf or have profound hearing loss, and services for 
those who are deaf or hard of hearing. CHSC’s Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of 


Hearing, the first center of its kind in Ohio, was established in 1975 and provides case 
management, advocacy, information and referral, and sign language interpreting 
services. CHSC is accredited by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and is a certified 
Medicaid and Medicare provider. 

CHSC envisions a community where every individual communicates effectively and offers a 
wide variety of programs and services to meet the needs of the largely underserved Deaf and 
Hard of Hearing community. The agency’s Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 
provides support services and case management for persons who are Deaf and their families; 
vocational rehabilitation programing for those seeking employment; advocacy and ADA 
consultation; training and professional development on Deaf Culture; information and referral; 
summer youth programs; and ASL instruction. In addition, several of the staff are trained 
advocates and they provide services and advocacy in a culturally competent and trauma 
informed manner to Deaf victims/survivors of sexual assault, stalking, intimate partner 
violence. The team also provides training and education to social service agencies as well as the 
criminal justice system to more effectively interface with crime victims who are deaf. Finally, 
the agency provides 24-hour sign language interpreting across 8 northeastern Ohio counties. 

 

The representatives from CHSC are: 

Maria O’Neil Ruddock, Director of the Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 

Sandra Hatibovic, Community Outreach Specialist/Deaf Advocate 

Kate Slosar, Senior Program Associate for the Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of 
Hearing 

Emily Parrino, Grants Manager 

*Both CHSC and CRCC hold Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) 
accreditation. 

COMMITMENT & CONTRIBUTIONS 

Deaf Pathways’ partnering agencies are committed to promoting sustainable agency-wide 
changes to better serve Deaf and Hard of Hearing survivors of rape and sexual abuse. CRCC and 
CHSC have both identified key individuals who will regularly commit to serve on Deaf Pathways 
and carry out collaborative duties. 

 

CRCC is serving as the lead agency for Deaf Pathways and employs the Project Manager and 
CRCC’s agency representatives. Additional CRCC staff will participate in planning as needed. 
CRCC will oversee the financial management of the grant and provide expertise on sexual 
violence services. CHSC employees three agency representatives, who will provide expertise on 
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community and Deaf services. Additional CHSC staff will 
participate in planning as needed. 

 


Deaf Pathways members adhere to the following shared commitments: 

• Providing language accessibility at every stage of the grant process and having 
interpreters from Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center available for all internal, 
external, and client focused communications as needed 
• Sending and reviewing materials in a timely manner and providing timely feedback 
when requested by the Project Manager 
• Attending weekly meetings and arriving prepared to actively participate 
o If a member cannot attend a meeting, they will inform the Project Manager at 
least three days before the meeting (barring any emergencies) to allow ample 
time to reschedule interpreters or other scheduling concerns 



• Rescheduling meetings if: 
o The Project Manager is absent 
o If one CRCC representative is absent 
o If there are fewer than two representatives from CHSC 
o If interpreters are not available 



• Attending all mandatory virtual and in-person meetings and trainings by OVW and Vera 
Institute of Justice 
• Being responsive to the technical assistance provided by Vera Institute of Justice 
• Informing the leadership teams at partner agencies on decisions made and pulling in 
higher leadership as necessary throughout the planning and implementation process 
• Providing onboarding and cross-training to each member within Deaf Pathways so 
every member has a clear and concise understanding of the work done at CRCC and 
CHSC 
• Flexibility in the midst of COVID-19, as well as any emergency that may arise locally, 
nationally, or globally 
• Approaching the collaboration with an open mind and learning lens 
• Meeting deliverable deadlines and adhering to the schedule set forth by OVW and Vera 
Institute of Justice 
• Revisiting our shared mission, vision, values and assumptions if conflict arises or if there 
is a change to our collaborative structure 


 

In addition to the shared collaborative commitments and contributions, individuals within Deaf 
Pathways each have a critical role to play in the collaborative with specific commitments based 
on their roles. 

The Deaf Pathways Project Manager commits to the following: 

• Creating meeting agendas, taking meeting notes, and sending both documents to the 
collaborative in a timely manner 
• Learning ASL and taking courses to improve communication abilities with the Deaf and 
Hard of Hearing Community 



• Attending events within the Deaf Community deemed appropriate by CHSC 
representatives 
• Attending staff meetings at CHSC when appropriate, as well as smaller team meetings as 
needed 
• Continuous learning and practicing cultural humility around Deaf Culture and the Deaf 
Community 
• Providing updates and feedback from Vera Institute of Justice Technical Assistance and 
keeping the collaborative in the loop of any changes or suggestions posed by Jannette 
Brickman or OVW. 
• Participating in bi-annual Performance Indicators as required by OVW, as well as all 
technical assistance activities identified by OVW or the TA provider, including any in-
person meetings. 
• Provides updates and feedback about the project to representatives of CRCC and the 
agency as a whole 
• Serves as a point person about the project and regarding issues of deaf survivors to 
CRCC staff and leadership 
• Assures communication plan between CRCC and CHCS is upheld and executed, and 
regular exchange of information between both agencies occurs outside of scheduled 
meetings 
• Delegating tasks in a clear and concise manner, explaining what is expected of 
collaboration members and when. 


 

In addition to the shared commitments listed above, the CHSC Representatives commit to the 
following: 

• Sharing expertise on the Deaf Community, the Hard of Hearing Community, and Deaf 
Culture 
• Sharing their experience from coordinating with their direct service partners on Deaf 
Action, OAD, Deaf Ohioans, and additional local and statewide groups 
• Garnering agency-wide buy-in on Deaf Pathways initiatives 
• Ensuring interpretation services for meetings, trainings, and events are scheduled 
• Providing documentation of work done and invoices for timely reimbursement of 
money 
• Working in direct partnership with CRCC around anything grant related 
• Responsive to any requests of OVW that might come through CRCC 


 

In addition to the shared commitments listed above, CRCC Representatives commit to the 
following: 

• Sharing expertise on Sexual Violence and Trauma Informed Care 
• Garnering agency-wide buy-in on Deaf Pathways initiatives 
• Responding to requests by the Project Manager around grant reporting needs 



• Committed to being the lead agency and communicating with OVW and reporting as 
requested by OVW. 
• Completing and responsible for semi-annual progress reports 
• Completing quarterly financial reports 


COMMUNICATION PLAN 

The members of Deaf Pathways believe communication is vital as we forge ahead in our 
collaborative goal to serve Deaf and Hard of Hearing survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Having 
a clear and concise communication plan internally and externally will allow us to not only plan 
effectively, but also implement changes that positively impact our clients. 

 

Internal Communication 

Deaf Pathways Specific 

This charter is currently being written in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as such, Deaf 
Pathways currently uses remote video platforms, email, and occasional texts/phone calls as our 
main avenues for communication. As social distancing measures lax within Cleveland, Ohio, and 
the nation as a whole, Deaf Pathways will take every measure to ensure safe meeting 
procedures and remain flexible with our use of technology. We will follow the protocols set 
forth by both CRCC and CHSC and keep the lines of communication open while planning 
meetings and events. COVID-19 has taught us that emergency communication plans are 
extremely important to have in place and we will continue to have the above flexibility and 
open communication guide us in the case that emergent issues arise in the future. 

As language access is prioritized and nonnegotiable in our work, interpreters will be utilized at 
every Deaf Pathways meeting and will be used in-person or via Zoom. Deaf Pathways 
recognizes that in-person interpretation is the golden standard, but when emergencies arise 
that make meeting in-person impossible, Zoom will be utilized in place of in-person 
interpretation. To ensure seamless, accurate, and effective communication within team 
meetings the same team of interpreters will be utilized. Should the team not be available, the 
meeting will be rescheduled. 

Weekly meetings may be recorded as needed or suggested by group members, but it is not 
necessary to do so. Meetings will be held weekly and members will come prepared to discuss 
ideas, make decisions, and engage in dialogues around best practices as we move forward in 
our work. 

Internal Communication to CRCC and CHSC as a whole 

Any communication regarding Deaf Pathways between Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and 
Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center is considered internal communication. While not 
everyone at each agency is participating in the collaboration, it is vital that our respective 
agencies are informed and up to date on planning and implementation around our initiative. 


While communicating updates from our collaboration to our agencies as a whole, Deaf 
Pathways will adhere to the following: 

o Directors meetings may be used by the Director of Education and Outreach to inform 
higher level leadership of updates or any changes to Deaf Pathways during the planning 
and implementation phases. These meetings will be attended by Directors only, unless 
an additional team member is invited to present to the leadership team. Directors are 
expected to share and disseminate the information to their teams and individual 
contributors 
o All Deaf Pathways members may participate in All-Staff meetings at each agency. This 
will give CRCC and CHSC staff an introduction to who we are, who is involved in our 
collaboration, and an opportunity to better understand the nature of our collaborative. 
All-Staff meetings may be used to communicate large changes or exciting news in-
person as deemed necessary by the leadership teams at CRCC and CHSC 
o Internal Newsletters may be used at CRCC and CHSC to inform agency staff of emergent 
news from Deaf Pathways. The Project Manager will work closely with the collaborative 
to discuss the message that will be shared. 


External Communication 

Any communication that occurs outside of Deaf Pathways or its partner agencies is considered 
external communication. Our collaboration agrees that any communication with outside 
sources must be vetted and agreed upon by Deaf Pathways members before any action is 
taken. The following guidelines will be followed when initiating communication with external 
sources: 

Communication with Vera Institute of Justice 

The Project Manager is the designated individual who will regularly engage in incoming and 
outgoing communication with Technical Assistance from Vera. The Project Manager will 
participate in weekly check-ins, as well as emails, phone calls, site visits, and additional 
meetings as necessary. In addition, the Project Manager will engage regularly with the Mighty 
Network, consisting of all members of other projects across the nation who are embarking on 
the same grant process within their states, and the Project Director Listserv, an email listserv 
consisting of only project managers of other collaborations. 

 

As agreed upon by our TA representative at Vera, no communication with Vera, unless 
otherwise specified, is confidential and additional Deaf Pathways members may have access to 
information given to the Project Manager at any time. If at any point there are concerns that 
the Project Manager is failing to communicate decisions passed down from Vera or OVW, 
collaborative members may contact our designated Technical Assistance contact at any time. 

 


Communication with Office on Violence Against Women 

All incoming and outgoing communication with the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence 
Against Women, including all fiscal and project-related information, is designated to the Grants 
and Contracts Team at Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. 

 

Media 

All media inquiries will be passed to the Director of Community Engagement at CRCC. The 
Director will work closely with members of Deaf Pathways for talking points, quotes, and any 
additional information needed. Deaf Pathways has outlined three potential media scenarios 
and a plan for each possibility. 

o Planned Press Releases/Joint Statements 
o Conversations with community members 
o Incident-Specific Requests 


All three scenarios will go to the Director of Community Engagement. Deaf Pathways has 
created a one-page talking point document for reference (see addendum 1). 

DECISION-MAKING PROTOCOL 

Deaf Pathways values the expertise, knowledge, and input of every member of our 
collaboration. We believe it is critical that decisions are made with feedback from every Deaf 
Pathways member and that we make decisions that weigh the perspectives of both CHSC and 
CRCC. We have agreed upon a decision-making protocol that emphasizes participation, 
transparency, and fairness. We have outlined four different decision-making philosophies for 
specific decisions regarding Deaf Pathways below. 

Consensus Model 

Consensus decision-making is a group decision-making process in which collaboration members 
develop and agree to support a decision in the best interest of the group or common 
goal. Instead of simply voting for an item and implementing majority rule, consensus is 
committed to finding solutions that everyone actively supports, or at least can live with. 

Deaf Pathways will strive to use consensus as our main model for internal decision making. 
Examples include decisions around identity (i.e.: the name of the collaboration, our charter, 
staff and partners involved, logo, or other determinations that affect who we are and how we 
function as a group) and decisions around planning and implementation that affect internal 
functions of the collaboration. All partners will be encouraged to participate openly in 
discussions and share their knowledge and expertise. 

 

This model will allow us to defer to the experts in our group to explain their reasoning and 
point of view, as well as allow for questions and additional feedback. 


While the collaboration recognizes that this model is important for gaining input and 
agreement from each participating member, it is also time consuming. We recognize the need 
to build consensus while also meeting deadlines. When time is pressed, the consensus model 
may not be the most effective way to make decisions. 

If an idea has been presented and discussed by the collaboration, yet consensus is not yet met, 
we will implement the following numerical options: 

5: Full endorsement 

4: Agreement, with need for clarification 

3: Neutral, but willing to move forward 

2: Disagreement, more discussion is needed 

1: Absolute veto 

 

All members will be asked to vote and all votes will hold equal weight in the decision-making 
process. If there is a 2 or 1 vote, we will return to the discussion and clarify any lingering 
questions or concerns. The group will determine a timeframe to discuss each concern further 
and the timeframe will be determined on a case by case basis. If there is still not consensus 
after this discussion, the group may opt to enforce majority rule, or call upon the Conflict 
Resolution plan outlined in the charter. 

Majority Rule Model 

The Majority Rule model requires over half of participants to agree on a decision for it to be 
implemented. This model will be used if the consensus model is not effective, or if not much 
discussion is required. Members will give a yes or no vote on the decision at hand. 

Majority rule decisions will be used when not much discussion is needed, or when everyone 
seems to be in favor. If there are individuals who vote “no” during the process, a timeframe for 
more discussion will be determined to better understand why a “no” vote was given. This 
timeframe duration will be determined on a case by case basis. After discussion, the group will 
vote again and a decision will be made based on the second vote. 

If the outcome of a vote is not in the best interest of the project, one of the partner 
organization or the populations we serve, a veto can be evoked. A veto (Latin for "I forbid") is 
the power to unilaterally stop the voting process and allow for additional gathering of 
perspectives. A veto can be evoked by an expert on what is being discussed, or senior level 
leadership member in attendance (as they are expert on the organization they represent). 

Unilateral Model 

Unilateral decisions are defined as decisions that one person makes for the group. Deaf 
Pathways values collaboration and will not use this decision-making philosophy often, however, 
there are times when it is appropriate to utilize this model. Such times include: 


1. The Project Manager implementing suggested deadlines set forth by Vera and OVW, as 
well as decisions around meetings, creating the agenda, and cancelling meetings for the 
group 
2. Performance Indicator due dates and the information needed to complete them will be 
collected unilaterally by the Project Manager 
3. Budget and financial information will be reported unilaterally by the Grants and 
Contracts team at CRCC 


Deaf Pathways participants will not use this model when discussion is needed by the group, or 
where decisions are made that affect who we are or how we function as a collaboration. 

Agency-level Decisions 

Any decisions that go beyond Deaf Pathways and into the partner agencies, particularly around 
financial situations, grant decisions, media, HR, or policy changes at CRCC and CHSC must be 
elevated to agency leadership. These decisions will be consulted by agency Directors and 
Chiefs. Members of the collaboration commit to regularly updating agency leadership at both 
CRCC and CHSC of our progress and consulting them when agency-level decisions must be 
made. 

In addition, Deaf Pathways notes that if decisions cannot be agreed upon within any model and 
conflict arises, members of the collaboration will consult our Conflict Resolution Plan. If further 
action is needed, the Project Manager will invite Technical Assistance from Vera to 
collaborative meetings for assistance. 

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT PLAN 

Deaf Pathways understands that conflict is normal in any collaborative partnership, as no one is 
expected to agree with every proposed idea every time. Our collaboration is comprised of 
various cultures, languages, and backgrounds, and it is critical that we respond to all 
communication with cultural humility and open minds. Conflict is natural and part of the 
process, and when handled with respect, honesty, and transparency, Deaf Pathways sees 
conflict as an opportunity for growth, learning, and understanding. Deaf Pathways has outlined 
a Conflict Resolution Plan to ensure a healthy and supportive working environment for all 
collaborative members. 

 

Conflict may arise in various forms. There may be conflict within the collaboration itself, or 
conflict among partner agencies. We agree that no matter the form conflict takes, it is 
important to utilize person-first language, seek resolution with respect, and disagree with 
“ideas” and not “people.” 

 

If conflict arises between collaboration members, all partners agree to seek resolution within 
our weekly program meetings. It is important to look back at our shared values, assumptions, 
mission and vision when addressing conflict within the group. This exercise will help ground us 


in our work and support healthy communication. Collaboration members will refrain from side 
conversations and separate meetings around the issue and focus on direct, respectful 
communication. 

 

If conflict arises outside of the collaboration but within partner agencies and affecting the 
collaboration process or deliverables, collaboration members will inform the Project Manager 
and work toward a peaceful solution. 

 

If conflict arises concerning the Project Manager, the concerned party will communicate with 
the Project Manager first, and if the conflict is not resolved, then the concerned party will 
contact the Project Manager’s direct supervisor. 

 

If a solution cannot be found or agreed upon using the methods detailed above, the Project 
Manager will invite Technical Assistance from Vera to weekly meetings for assistance. We will 
consult the Office on Violence Against Women only if all other conflict resolution methods have 
not produced a resolution. 

CONFIDENTIALITY 

Deaf Pathways believes that confidentiality is a key factor in creating a safe space for clients to 
share information that may be difficult. Confidentiality means that information shared within a 
client-helper relationship will not be shared outside that relationship. We value the 
confidentiality of every survivor and remain committed to protecting client information. All 
members of Deaf Pathways will refrain from using any language that discloses someone’s 
identity if discussing client cases as a means of educating our partners on our services, the 
potential impact of revised policies, or highlighting gaps in services. We also recognize that the 
Deaf community is very small and the act of not disclosing identifying information is challenging 
to uphold. 

Knowing this challenge, it is a possibility that a client’s identity may become known during a 
Deaf Pathways meeting. We will do everything we can to mitigate this possibility, but if it does 
occur, all members of Deaf Pathways will strictly contain that information inside the meeting. 
No information will leave our group nor will the identifying information go into our meeting 
notes. 

The providers obligation to keep client information confidential is supported through state and 
federal law. Balancing the ethical responsibility to protect client confidentiality and the legal 
obligation to protect clients from harm can be difficult, and exceptions to confidentially exist 
and will be outlined in the next section. 


MANDATED REPORTING 

Ohio law does not include Deaf individuals, specifically, in any of the mandatory reporting 
statutes. It does make provisions for the mandatory reporting of suspected child 
abuse/neglect, the abuse/neglect/exploitation of an elder adult, and the suspected 
abuse/neglect of an individual with developmental disabilities or a dependent adult, and when 
there is a risk of imminent danger to self or to another person. 

Mandatory reporting involving a Deaf individual is necessary if the situation meets the 
requirements of any of the existing statutes. 

Collaboration team members recognize that all information shared with the service providers at 
CRCC/CHSC is confidential. No information will be voluntarily released to a third party, or 
shared, without written consent. Verbal consent for limited release of information may be 
necessary in special circumstances. During the course of services at CRCC, it may be necessary 
for providers to discuss a case together to coordinate services. There are specific and limited 
exceptions to confidentiality which include the following: 

1. When there is a risk of imminent danger to self or to another person (Duty to Warn) 
2. When there is a suspicion that a child, elder, or dependent adult is being sexually or 
physically abused or is at risk of such abuse 


During the needs assessment phase of this project, participants will be asked not to describe 
any specific details of their story or specific experiences of abuse or victimization and all focus 
groups will be tailored to avoid any inadvertent disclosure that would trigger a mandatory 
report. The focus of any and all interviews is to determine the needs and service gaps for Deaf 
and Hard of Hearing individuals and survivors of sexual violence. Nevertheless, needs 
assessment participants will be advised of CRCC and CHSC’s mandatory reporting policies and 
procedures and will be asked to sign an informed consent form. We will provide very specific 
protocols in our Needs Assessment Plan. 

Deaf Pathways follows any and all mandatory reporting protocols of CRCC/CHSC: 

• Both agencies have reviewed and interpreted the Ohio Revised Code to mean that all 
employees of CRCC and CHSC are considered mandatory reporters (See Appendix 2 for 
the Ohio Revised Code). 
• Should a mandatory reporting situation arise, the employee receiving the information is 
required to consult with their supervisor and potentially the CPO or Executive Director 
to decide if a report to authorities needs to be made 
• If a report is made, the employee is required to then fill out an incident report 


Collaboration team members understand the parameters of the mandatory reporting statutes 
and will abide by them. 


WORK PLAN 

Collaboration Charter 

April, May, June 2020 

 Approval by OVW 

July 2020 

Statement of Focus & Approval by OVW 

August 2020 

Develop Needs Assessment Plan 

August & September 2020 

 Approval by OVW 

October 2020 

Complete Performance Indicators 

September 2020 (while conducting NA) 

Conduct Needs Assessment* 

October & November 2020 

Develop Findings Report 

December 2020 & January 2021 

 Approval by OVW 

February 2021 

Develop Strategic Plan 

March & April 2021 

 Approval by OVW 

May 2021 

*Supplement needs assessment for survivors 
and people we serve due to COVID-19 if 
necessary 

 

Implementation 

May 2021-October 2022 



 

CONTACT US 

Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center 

11635 Euclid Ave. 
Cleveland, OH 44106-4319 

216-231-8787 

https://www.chsc.org/ 

 

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center 

1228 Euclid Avenue, Suite 200 

Cleveland, OH 44115 

216-619-6194 

https://clevelandrapecrisis.org/ 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

This charter may be revised by future team members to meet the evolving needs of the 
collaboration. The following collaboration team members are the original authors of this 
charter and worked diligently to build a strong relationship among the partner agencies: 


• Sandra Hatibovic, Community Outreach Specialist/Deaf Advocate, Cleveland Hearing and Speech 
Center 

• Sharon Kidd, Director of Education and Outreach, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center 

• Wendy Leatherberry, Director of Grants and Contracts, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center 

• Kirsti Mouncey, LISW-S, LCDCIII Chief Program Officer, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center 

• Maria O’Neil Ruddock, PsyD, Director of Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 
Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center 

• Kate Slosar, Senior Program Associate, Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 
Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center 

• Rachel Wright, Deaf Pathways Manager, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center 

 

Deaf Pathways would also like to acknowledge and thank Vera Institute of Justice for their 
Technical Support and guidance through this process. We have learned so much and greatly 
appreciate the expertise and support provided to our team. 

• Jannette Brickman, JD, MA, Senior Program Associate, Vera Institute of Justice 

 

We would also like to acknowledge the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against 
Women for the opportunity to use grant funding to make this collaboration a reality. 

• Silvia Pauling, MA, Program Manager 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


APPENDIX 1: MEDIA DOCUMENT 

Deaf Pathways Vision: 

Deaf Pathways envisions a society where all service providers and systems are trauma informed, fully 
resourced, and prepared to offer equitable and accessible services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing survivors 
of rape and sexual abuse. We envision services that promote healing and empowerment in a timely, 
trustful, and safe manner that elevates Deaf Culture, as well as all variations of communication 
preferences and access. Deaf Pathways envisions a future of empowered individuals and agencies where 
equity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people and sexual violence survivors remain at the forefront of 
services. 

Deaf Pathways Mission: 

Deaf Pathways’ mission is to create sustainable systems change within our agencies by: 

• Prioritizing a client-focused approach and letting the input of those we serve guide our practices 
• Identifying and addressing barriers within the Deaf community and working to eliminate those 
barriers to receiving services 
• Providing creative resources, education, and training to agency staff to respond to current and 
future needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing survivors of sexual assault 
• Implementing strategies for effective communication, such as using in-person ASL interpreters, 
especially when serving survivors of sexual violence experiencing trauma 
• Providing outreach and education to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community regarding sexual 
violence and the accessible services that are available 
• Promoting healing and empowering survivors to make their own informed decisions 
• Promoting transparency and educating agency staff continuously on topics such as, but not 
limited to: trauma informed care, how to respond to disclosures of sexual violence, Deaf Culture 
and barriers to services. 
• Leveraging existing collaborations with systems and other service providers to inform best 
practices and decisions that impact our clients 
• Advocating for Deaf survivors of sexual violence outside of our own agencies and communities 


 

Statistics 

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals are 1.5 times more likely to be victims of sexual 
harassment, sexual assault, psychological abuse, and physical abuse than their hearing 
counterparts15 
• A 2014 study found that Deaf adults were more likely to experience forced sexual experiences 
than hearing adults. Deaf survey respondents experienced forced sexual incidents at rates that 
were at least twice those reported by hearing respondents in other surveys.16 
• According to a 2015 Rochester Institute of Technology study, Deaf and Hard of Hearing college 
students are 2.5 times more likely to experience a negative sexual experience and are 2.6 times 
more likely to experience completed rape than hearing students.17 


15 Nancy Smith and Charity Hope. Culture, Language, and Access: Key Considerations for Serving Deaf Survivors of 
Domestic and Sexual Violence. New York: Vera Institute of Justice, 2015 

16 Ibid. 

17 Vogt, Taylor Victoria, "Exploring Negative Sexual Experiences, Attitudes, and Behaviors by Auditory Status" 
(2015). Thesis. Rochester Institute of Technology. 


Barriers to Reporting18 

18 Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence. “Resources for Advocates: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Survivors of Sexual 
Violence,” https://www.oaesv.org/site/assets/files/1324/oaesv-deaf-survivors.pdf. 

 

• Lack of understanding among service providers: Sometimes first/secondary responders and 
service providers regard survivors who are Deaf/HoH as less credible or believable because of 
misconceptions about deafness, disabilities, and/or sexual assault. These assumptions 
discourage survivors from coming forward and make them feel alienated, re-victimized, and 
adversely impacts their safety with intricate familial, personal, and professional connections 
within the Deaf community if they do 
• Language Barriers: ASL is how the vast majority of Deaf/HOH individuals in the U.S. 
communicate. Throughout the healing process – from seeking help, to reporting the crime, to 
accessing healing services -- survivors who are Deaf/HOH often interact with service providers 
who do not understand the importance of, or know to how to access ASL interpreters or 
interpretive technology. Linguistic accessibility equals empowerment and safety, and facilitates 
healing for survivors. 
• Community or cultural pressures or stigma: For Deaf\HOH survivors, lifeline to the Deaf 
community provides a sense of identity, belonging, linguistic access, social opportunities, and 
person and professional affiliations. Survivors who identify as being part of the Deaf community 
do not always feel supported by others in that community if they report a sexual assault, 
especially if the perpetrator is also a member of the Deaf community. In addition, it is often 
difficult to maintain privacy surrounding the assault. 


Partner organizations 

Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center is the premier provider of hearing, speech-language, and deaf 
services, education and advocacy, helping people connect through communication. 

https://www.chsc.org/ 

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center supports survivors of rape and sexual abuse, promotes healing and 
prevention and advocates for social change. 

https://clevelandrapecrisis.org/ 

 

If someone you love is Deaf and has been a victim of sexual assault, call or text Cleveland Rape Crisis 
Center’s hotline at 216-619-6192 or chat at www.clevelandrapecrisis.org. 

 

 

 

 

 


APPENDIX 2: OHIO REVISED CODE 

Per Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 2151.421(A)(1)(a), a child is an individual “under eighteen years of 
age, or a person under twenty-one years of age with a developmental disability or physical 
impairment” 

For a victim of elder abuse, the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 5101.60(C), defines an adult as “any 
person sixty years of age or older within this state who is handicapped by the infirmities of 
aging or who has a physical or mental impairment which prevents the person from providing 
for the person’s own care or protection, and who resides in an independent living 
arrangement”. 

Per ORC 2151.421(A)(1)(a), only certain professionals who are “acting in an official or 
professional capacity” and know, or have “reasonable cause to suspect based on facts that 
would cause a reasonable person in a similar position to suspect” the abuse/neglect of a child 
are required to report it. 

ORC 2151.421(A)(1)(b) outlines the certain professionals who are required to report: “…speech 
pathologist or audiologist… person engaged in social work or the practice of professional 
counseling”, and many others. In addition, ORC 2151.421(B) states that “anyone who knows, or 
has reasonable cause to suspect…that a child… has suffered or faces a threat of suffering… 
abuse or neglect…may report or cause reports to be made…”. 

Furthermore, per ORC 2151.421(D)(1), “when a municipal or county peace officer receives a 
report concerning the possible abuse or neglect of a child or the possible threat of abuse or 
neglect of a child, upon receipt of the report, the municipal or county peace officer who 
receives the report shall refer the report to the appropriate public children services agency”. 
For mandated professionals, failure to report suspected child abuse/neglect is a misdemeanor 
of the fourth degree or first degree as outlined in ORC 2151.99(C)(1)(2). 

Per ORC 5101.61(A), “…any peace officer, …and any person engaged in social work or 
counseling having reasonable cause to believe that an adult is being abused, neglected, or 
exploited, or is in a condition which is the result of abuse, neglect, or exploitation shall 
immediately report such belief to the county department of job and family services”. 
Furthermore, per ORC 5101.61(B), “any person having reasonable cause to believe that an adult 
has suffered abuse, neglect, or exploitation may report, or cause reports to be made of such 
belief”. 

Per ORC 5123.61(C)(1), “any person listed in division (C)(2) of this section, having reason to 
believe that an individual with a developmental disability has suffered or faces a substantial risk 
of suffering any wound, injury, disability, or condition of such a nature as to reasonably indicate 
abuse or neglect of that individual, shall immediately report or cause reports to be made of 
such information to…a law enforcement agency or to the county board of developmental 


disabilities”. ORC 5123.61(C)(2)(b) states “all of the following persons are required to make a 
report under division (C)(1) of this section: any… social worker, psychologist” or “…peace 
officer…”. 

ORC 2151.421(C)(1) requires a written report to include “the names and addresses of the child 
and the child’s parents or the person or persons having custody of the child, if known”. ORC 
2151.421(C)(2) further requires a report to include “the child’s age and the extent of the child’s 
injuries, abuse, or neglect that is known or reasonably suspected…to have occurred or of the 
threat of injury, abuse or neglect that is known or reasonably suspected…to exist, including any 
evidence of previous injuries, abuse, or neglect”. Similarly, ORC 5101.61(C)(1) requires a 
written report to include “the name, address, and approximate age of the adult who is the 
subject of the report”. ORC 5101.61 (C)(3) further requires a written report to include “the 
nature and extent of the alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the adult”. ORC 
5123.61(D)(1)(2) requires a written report to include “the names and addresses of the person 
with mental retardation or a developmental disability and the person’s custodian, if known” as 
well as the age of the person. 

ORC 5123.01 (Q) Defines Developmental Disability as: “a severe, chronic disability that is 
characterized by all of the following: 

(1) It is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination of mental and 
physical impairments, other than a mental or physical impairment solely caused by 
mental illness, as defined in division (A) of section 5122.01 of the Revised Code. 

(2) It is manifested before age twenty-two. 

(3) It is likely to continue indefinitely. 

(4) It results in one of the following: 

(a) In the case of a person under three years of age, at least one developmental 
delay, as defined in rules adopted under section 5123.011 of the Revised Code, or 
a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in 
a developmental delay, as defined in those rules; 

(b) In the case of a person at least three years of age but under six years of age, at 
least two developmental delays, as defined in rules adopted under 
section 5123.011 of the Revised Code; 

(c) In the case of a person six years of age or older, a substantial functional 
limitation in at least three of the following areas of major life activity, as 
appropriate for the person's age: self-care, receptive and expressive language, 
learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and, if the 
person is at least sixteen years of age, capacity for economic self-sufficiency. 

(5) It causes the person to need a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, 
or other type of care, treatment, or provision of services for an extended period of time 
that is individually planned and coordinated for the person. 

"Developmental disability" includes intellectual disability.