December 23, 2020
Anyone Can Be Lonely: Addressing Social Isolation & Loneliness in APS​
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association

As we move into the holidays and new year with a continuing pandemic, social isolation and loneliness are frequent topics. Ongoing loss of not only loved ones but traditions and normal routines are also heightened for many. These “ambiguous losses” can add to the challenges of loneliness and isolation.

November 30, 2020
NAMRS: The Latest from Our National Data System​
Author: Andrew Capehart, APS TARC

National data that captures information about APS clients, victims, and perpetrators has long been a dream of administrators and advocates from the federal to the local level. As each year passes, states are becoming more proficient at submitting the needed data so that APS can tell its “story”.

October 29, 2020
Leading a Crisis Program While in the Grips of a Global Crisis​
Author: Deborah Holt-Knight, Deputy Commissioner, Adult Protective Services, Department of Social Services, New York City Human Resources Administration

COVID-19 has touched all our lives in different ways. This blog details New York City APS administrator Deborah Holt-Knight's personal and professional struggles with the pandemic.

September 25, 2020
Texas APS Quality Assurance: Understanding How APS Functions
Author: Michael S. Roberts, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Quality assurance is a long-standing part of how Texas Adult Protective Services measures performance for all levels of staff. By combining quality assurance information with quantitative data from the case management and human resources information systems, APS leadership constructs a meaningful understanding of how APS functions.

September 24, 2020
What’s Happening in Financial Exploitation? More Tools and Resources!​
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association

Financial exploitation, whether by a family member or stranger, can have devastating impacts on any victim. Greater awareness of financial exploitation and tools to assist APS, their partners, and clients is growing. 

August 31, 2020
Civil Legal Aid & APS: Promising Practices & Emerging Models in Response to Elder Abuse​
Author: Sarah Galvan, Justice in Aging and the National Center on Law & Elder Rights​

This post provides information on the spectrum of civil legal aid services for older adults, describes how you can find new and established legal aid partners, and highlights some exciting collaboration models to address elder abuse.

August 28, 2020
Finding Housing and Support Services During a Pandemic​
Author: Maria Greene, APS TARC Team Member​

APS programs and their community partners work diligently to refer and locate housing and support services for adults in need. Finding housing and support services for a person can be challenging even during non-pandemic times. This blog addresses housing and support services for APS clients.

August 27, 2020
Tackling Audism: Confronting Assumptions and Reaching the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association

When you meet with a client or prepare a training what assumptions do you make around communication? Do you consider audience members that are deaf or hard of hearing? This blog posts tackles audism and how it impacts our practice.

July 31, 2020
Updates to the APS Guidelines 2020
Author: Mary Twomey, MSW, Consultant

The National Voluntary Consensus Guidelines for Adult Protective Services (Guidelines) were recently updated. This blog addresses the purposes of the Guidelines, the process for updating them, and key highlights to revisions.

July 30, 2020
Virtual Votes: A Legislative Roundup
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of states have now concluded their legislative sessions or are moving to address emergency budgets changes. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happened nationwide.

June 30, 2020
Work is What you Do, Not Where you Go: Managing a Mobile Workforce Promising Practices​
Author: Michael Curtis, Texas Department of Family & Protective Services

In 2005, the Texas Legislature funded the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS) with the resources to provide Adult Protective Services (APS) staff with the technology to work remotely in the field. This blog includes tips for managing a mobile workforce, including six short podcasts that highlight promising practices.

June 29, 2020
A Source of Pride: What APS Should Know About LGBT Older Adults
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and Pride Month we are highlighting the unique history and needs of older adults who identify as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender). Building this understanding can help APS programs and workers fully serve their community.

May 29, 2020
Does Remote Work Actually Work for APS?
Author: Karl Urban, APS TARC Team Member

The social distancing required by COVID-19 has forced many APS programs to implement a remote work model on the fly.  APS work has always been remote – alleged victims, alleged perpetrators, and evidence don’t show up at APS offices. COVID-19 is forcing us to rethink whether physical offices are critical.

May 28, 2020
Steps of Developing a QA Process​
Authors: Robin Tejada and Stephanie Schneider, Nevada Adult Protective Services

Over the past three years the APS program in Nevada has searched high and low for a Quality Assurance (QA) Best Practice for Adult Protective Services (APS) handbook, but no specific handbook exists. We are happy to share our learning experience with other APS programs.

April 30, 2020
Pandemic Resources for APS​
Author: Maria Greene, APS TARC Team Member

We typically think of emergencies in terms of big weather events so the COVID-19 pandemic has us seeking answers to new questions. This pandemic has temporarily changed the way APS staff work and has significantly reduced or stopped in-person visits with clients.

April 29, 2020
Adapting to a Pandemic the APS Way​
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association

The COVID-19 pandemic has added many new stressors to the day-to-day APS workload. There are several elements in a successful response to the stress that APS workers are encountering now:  skillful leadership, flexibility, and promoting self-care.

March 31, 2020
Understanding the Time it Takes to Do our Work: APS Workloads and Caseloads​
Author: Ying-Ying T. Yuan, PhD, APS TARC Consultant

One of the most common statements by caseworkers is that their caseloads are too high. A second common statement is that “I am not doing the work that I want to do for my clients.” The APS Technical Assistance Resource Center (APS TARC) frequently receives questions about caseload standards. This blog discusses the difference between caseload and workload and why this difference is useful.

March 30, 2020
Surviving the Service Desert​
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association

Many APS workers may find the following scenario familiar: you have investigated the allegations of maltreatment, worked hard to gain the trust of your client, and now you are working with them to determine how to assist them with their needs. However, you quickly realize that your local community does not have the services your client needs to be independent and safe. It may be that the client lives in a “service desert.”

February 28, 2020
The Role of Elder Justice Coordinators in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices
Author: David Degnan, Assistant US Attorney, Elder Justice Coordinator for the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

There are Elder Justice Coordinators in each of the 94 US Attorneys' Offices who pursue financial fraud, neglect and exploitation of older adults. Learn more about their work in this blog post. 

February 27, 2020
Helping APS Clients and Victims Facing Homelessness
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association

APS programs should be aware of those they are serving who are currently homeless, at great risk of becoming homeless, or previously homeless. This blog post explores the intersection of homelessness and victims of adult maltreatment. 

January 31, 2020
Quality Assurance Spotlight: Peer Review
Author: Andrew Capehart, APS TARC Lead

In social services practice, peer review involves a committee or group of individuals who review and discuss each other’s work. Andrew Capehart provides information about this undervalued option for quality assurance.

January 30, 2020
Collaboration Isn’t Always Easy: Successful Suggestions for Building Partnerships​
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association

Collaboration is critical to APS. Kendra Kuehn provides tips for working together and examples of ways that APS professionals have successfully collaborated with community partners.