State and local protective-services officials explain who to call for suspected elder or adult-abuse on Nantucket

Ben Hutchins, learning and development specialist at the Disabled Persons Protection Commission, told the Nantucket Commission on Disability on Jan. 31 that his agency operates the statewide reporting hotline for alleged abuse or neglect of people with disabilities aged 18–59.

"So what we do at the DPPC is we investigate claims of abuse or neglect, against individuals between the ages of 18 to 59," Hutchins said, explaining that DPPC is the reporting agency for cases involving caregiver-perpetrated abuse of that population and works with state partners, including the Department of Developmental Services and the Department of Mental Health.

The exchange clarified which agency to contact for different situations and described how reports are screened, investigated and, when appropriate, referred to criminal authorities. The briefing matters because residents, mandated reporters and local emergency responders told commissioners they were unsure which number to call and how island logistics affect response times.

DPPC investigators are statewide and, when a report suggests criminal conduct, the agency’s colocated state police detective unit can be notified and work alongside civil investigators,…