______________________________________________________________ Understanding Domestic Violence
If you are not feeling sure or you have a certain suspicion of abuse, APS professionals are trained to assess each situation. Based on your report, your local APS agency will determine how best to respond. APS REPORTING PROCESS A concerned individual, whether a citizen, family member, healthcare professional, or mandated reporter, reaches out to their local APS office to express concerns regarding the well- being of a senior or adult with disabilities. Upon receiving the report, a trained professional will carefully review the details to ascertain if they align with the statu- tory requirements for APS services in the respective state or municipality. Here’s an overview of what may constitute abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Should the situation meet the criteria for abuse, neglect, or exploitation, an APS worker will then proceed to make direct contact with the adult in question. During this face-to-face interaction, the APS worker will assess the individual’s safety, identify any assistance required, and determine which services, if any, would be beneficial in preserving their overall well-being and autonomy (NAPSA, 2021). While APS workers help thousands of vulnerable adults every day, competent adults always have the right to decline services. ROLE OF APS WORKER While the roles of APS workers may have slight variations state to state, the following is an example of an Adult Protec- tion Service Specialist (APS Worker) in the state of Oregon. This description gives a thorough and in-depth look into the responsibilities this role maintains while representing Adult Protection Services for older adults and vulnerable adults. The APS worker receives referrals, determines the need for and investigates alleged incidents of adult abuse or neglect. After receiving information this role develops and executes a plan designed to reduce the risk of abuse. They will gather this information through interview complainants, witnesses, alleged victims and perpetrators, and review written documen- tation to collect evidence. APS workers will decide the validity of the allegations; coordinate legal actions to protect victims; write case investigative reports and testify in court hearings. The following are three main components of the role (State of Oregon, n.d.). 1. Protective Service Case Management • This includes receiving referrals, evaluating information, and determining if level of risk is high enough to warrant protective case management. • They gather demographic data and other information about the alleged victim’s family, healthcare needs, and environment.
• They will conduct a preliminary assessment of the alleged victim’s safety, possible risks to the investigator or other factors; determine need for emergency intervention and coordinate actions with law enforcement personnel, district attorneys, or other community partners to arrange for the victim’s safety and security. • They may be asked to provide consultative or expert opinions to prosecutors and judges on adult abuse or neglect to determine need for and obtain restraining orders to protect victims. • Initiate and secure protective actions such as guardian- or conservatorships while evaluate the victim’s support systems, capacity to remain safe or make their own decision, take care of their own needs, or protect her or his own interests. • Develop and manage case plans that arrange for needed services or alternative living arrangements such as assisted living facilities, or personal care. • Monitor progress and well-being of people under case supervision; refer cases to other agency case managers or community partners for on-going support and supervision. • Conduct site/home visits to monitor living conditions and potentially intervene in situations where adults are at high-risk of abuse or neglect within their living situations. If it is determined that victim is at high risk of abuse or neglect, they will develop a service care plan to address the individual’s needs; arrange for services to stabilize the individual’s situation; monitor case for a period and adjust service care plans; refer to community organizations for follow-up or other case managers for on-going case supervision. 2. Investigation • The APS working will investigate complaints of alleged abuse or neglect to adults receiving Medicaid, independently living in the community or in care facilities. • Plan the scope and direction of the investigation by completing the following: ‒ Interview the alleged victims, alleged perpetrators, and witnesses. ‒ Review documents and records such as medical or financial records of alleged victims. Construct and organize detailed financial transactions from disorganized or incomplete records. ‒ Collect and analyze physical and documentary evidence. ‒ Apply statutes and facility regulations to
investigative situations and determine a finding. Evaluate evidence and address issues that arise during the course of the investigation.
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