APS Blog
The APS Blog is updated regularly with posts from contributing authors and new publications from the Adult Protective Services Technical Assistance Resource Center (APS TARC). Check back frequently or subscribe to our email list to receive updates. If you have ideas for future blog post to share with us, reach out to us via the Contact Us page.
Blogs
August 31, 2021
Innovative Efforts: Texas Worker Safety Support Unit
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association
Worker safety is of utmost concern for APS staff. Kendra Kuehn talks to Rachel Duer with the Worker Safety Support Unit at the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services about their work supporting staff to keep them safe.
June 15, 2021
New Funding Shines a Light on the Path Forward for APS
Author: Mary Twomey, MSW, Consultant
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Mary Twomey reflects on the past, present, and future of APS as designated federal funding is made available for the first time.
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May 31, 2021
Adult Protective Services & Mental Health: Practices and Policies
Authors: Matti Robi & Ryan Doyloo, National Adult Protective Services Association
Across the country Adult Protective Services (APS) programs face added challenges in working with clients experiencing mental health concerns, particularly clients who have dual diagnoses. Proper training and robust services are needed for fully supporting clients with dual diagnoses but are not always present.
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April 30, 2021
Next in Line
Author: Maria Greene, APS TARC Team Member
Maria Greene, APS TARC team member, shares her excitement about getting the COVID-19 vaccine and provides information on the lastest guidance from the CDC.
March 30, 2021
Communication is Core: Interviewing Approaches
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association
In this blog, we are looking at just a few interviewing considerations including motivational interviewing, trauma-informed approaches, and a forensic approach to interviewing people with disabilities.
February 26, 2021
Nursing Home Discharges & Resident’s Rights: What APS Needs to Know
Author: Sam Brooks, Program Manager, The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
Involuntary nursing home discharges are among the most problematic issues nursing home residents experience. For the last seven years, discharges have been the top complaint received by long-term care ombudsman programs. This post will inform you of residents rights, common reasons for discharge, and issues around COVID and discharge.
February 25, 2021
New Year, More Training!
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association
The year is off to a fresh start and there’s still time to make a resolution. It’s the right time to plan for staff and supervisor training. This post addresses barriers and facilitators to training as well as tips for creating more valuable training.
January 29, 2021
The Importance of Helping Your Clients Get Vaccinated
Author: Laura Mosqueda MD, Professor of Family Medicine & Geriatrics and Director of the National Center on Elder Abuse, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
APS staff may be the only lifeline for clients who lack a formal or informal support system. Because of this, APS plays an important role in facilitating vaccinations for older adults and adults with disabilities. Dr. Laura Mosqueda, a respected physician and researcher in the field of adult maltreatment, provides more information.
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.
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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 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.
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.
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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.
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