Audit of the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC)

This is a Massachusetts State Auditor performance audit of the Disabled Persons Protection Commission for July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.

“This report details the audit objectives, scope, methodology, findings, and recommendations for the audit period, July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019.”

Auditors checked whether DPPC fixed issues from a prior audit and whether it was meeting key rules for abuse investigations and protective service plans.

“The objective of our audit was to follow up on the issues identified in our prior audit report (No. 2015-0046-3S) to determine what measures, if any, DPPC had taken to address them, as well as the adequacy of those measures.”

DPPC handles reports of abuse involving adults with disabilities, so delays or weak documentation can affect vulnerable people’s safety and accountability.

“DPPC received 11,900 and 13,102 abuse reports in fiscal years 2018 and 2019, respectively.”

If you or someone you know is an adult with a disability, this agency may be responsible for reviewing abuse reports and making sure protection steps are taken.

“Citizens and mandated reporters1 can submit abuse reports involving adults with disabilities through a 24-hour phone hotline that is operated by DPPC’s Intake Unit from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and by a DPPC-trained independent contractor after hours (from 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.).”

The audit says DPPC had problems ensuring alleged abusers were told their rights, finishing investigations on time, receiving final protection plans, and flagging repeat alleged abusers.

“DPPC did not always identify and properly document individuals who had been identified as alleged abusers in multiple reports.”

The auditor recommended stronger monitoring controls and continued work with partner agencies so deadlines and documentation requirements are met.

“DPPC should continue to work with the Department of Developmental Services, the Department of Mental Health, and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission to complete IRs for emergency cases within 24 hours, IRs for non-emergency cases within 10 days, and 19C reports within 30 days.”

The report matters because the agency’s job is to protect adults with disabilities from caregiver abuse, and the audit found weaknesses in how that work was tracked and completed.

“According to its website, DPPC’s mission is “to protect adults with disabilities from the abusive acts or omissions of their caregivers through investigation, oversight, public awareness and prevention.””

A protective service plan is the written plan for what should happen after abuse is found, including steps to protect the victim from being abused again.

“A PSP includes an assessment of the abuse incident and recommendations to protect the victim from being abused again.”