Adult Protective Services

Researchers have estimated that over 500,000 incidents of adult maltreatment occur in the US each year, but only a small percentage may be formally reported to state adult protective services (APS) agencies responsible for investigating them (Jogerst et al., 2003; Teaster, 2000). The number of reported incidents is steadily increasing as more states require mandatory reporting by social workers or medical service providers and as the US population ages (Jogerst, 2003; NCEA, 1996). While APS is a relatively new human services area, the need for such services is growing and will require effective case management procedures to improve service delivery.

The Structured Decision Making® (SDM) system for APS includes assessments, definitions, and policies and procedures that will assist APS staff in performing intakes, investigations, and case planning by providing a consistent approach to obtaining and evaluating information. Based on a national model of best practices, the SDM® system is intended to promote the safety of vulnerable adults, identify and address their needs, decrease the incidence of self-neglect and maltreatment, enhance service delivery, and provide data needed for program administration.

Overall Goals:

• Promote the safety of vulnerable adults.
• Identify and meet the needs of vulnerable adults.
• Decrease the incidence of self-neglect and maltreatment by others.

System Goals:

• Reduce the rate of subsequent reports and incidents of founded abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect.
• Improve the delivery of appropriate services to vulnerable adults.
• Increase the use of case-level and agencywide data to inform administrative decisions.

Process Goals:

• Improve assessments of client circumstances.
• Increase consistency and accuracy in assessment and case management among staff who receive and investigate reports and provide services to vulnerable adults.
• Increase the efficiency of APS operations by making the best use of available resources.
• Provide management with needed data for program administration, planning, evaluation, and budgeting.

 

Elder Justice Bills Clear Congress, Obama to Sign Into Law  Press release

NCCD's latest APS publication: Structuring Decisions in Adult Protective Services

For more information, please contact Kathy Park.