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.
Blog Posts
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April 26, 2023
Medicaid Unwinding: What APS Should Know
Authors: Kendra Kuehn, MSW, NAPSA
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Congress and the federal government worked to meet the nation’s needs with as much flexibility as possible through changes to programs such as Medicaid. This blog post explains the process that federal and state governments are going through to return to normal operations for Medicaid programs, and how that may impact older adults and people with disabilities.
March 24, 2023
Veteran Affairs (VA) Fiduciary Program and How It Intersects with Guardianships and Conservatorships
Authors: Michael Hagenlock, MSW, LCSW, LAC, Supervisor VA Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP)/Mental Health/Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI), Retired Montana APS Bureau Chief
Guardianship and conservatorship are governed by state laws. There are different considerations when addressing the need for a guardian or conservator for a veteran. Michael Hagenlock with the Veteran's Administration (VA) addresses these considerations and discusses the VA Fiduciary Program.
January 31, 2023
Building Collaborations: Fatality Review Teams
Authors: Kendra Kuehn, MSW, APS TARC Team
APS and partners continue to look at how to build stronger systems to support and empower older adults and persons with disabilities. Kendra Kuehn examines such efforts in fatality review teams (sometimes referred to as death review teams) from California, Virginia, and Maine.
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December 30, 2022
Highlights from the Adult Maltreatment Report 2021
Authors: Leslie McGee, APS TARC Team
It's been six years since ACL implemented the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System. In this post, Leslie McGee, one of the authors of the Adult Maltreatment Report, looks at data from the most recent report, trends in data over the past six years, and some of the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the data.
November 30, 2022
From State to Federal: A Legislative Snapshot of the Last 12 Months
Authors: Kendra Kuehn, MSW, APS TARC Team
In reflecting on the past legislative year, we’re seeing APS programs continue their work on coordination, records sharing, perpetrator registries, and addressing financial exploitation. Kendra Kuehn provides a wrap-up of national and state legislation addressing APS.
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October 31, 2022
Language Matters: Innovations Townhall on APS Language Wrap-up
Authors: Krista Brown, APS TARC Team
In September 2022, the APS TARC and partners facilitated a virtual, interactive townhall discussion with representatives from 34 APS programs and other collaborative partners on APS language use. Krista Brown provides a wrap-up of the discussion in this thought-provoking post.
September 28, 2022
Digital Access and Understanding - Supporting APS Populations
Authors: Kendra Kuehn, MSW, APS TARC Team
The shift to the use of online tools and accounts has been happening for several years and has only accelerated after COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Kendra Kuehn examines digital access and understanding for those that APS serves.
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August 31, 2022
The Impact of the Opioid Epidemic on Adult Protective Services
Authors: Pamela B. Teaster, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., Professor and Director, Center for Gerontology, Virginia Tech and Imogen Fua, Senior Research Manager, APS TARC Team
In 2021, the APS TARC conducted a study of the impact of the opioid epidemic on APS during the COVID-19 pandemic. This post highlights key findings, solutions, areas of future research, and more from this groundbreaking report.
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July 29, 2022
APS Research: Slow-cooking Program Improvement
Author: Karl Urban, APS TARC Team
APS research is like making molasses: the raw ingredients (sugar cane) are not that exciting, it’s a slow-cook process that can seem tedious and boring (skimming boiling pots), but the output is sweet nectar of the (programmatic) gods. Karl Urban examines some of the latest and greatest in the world of APS research.
June 30, 2022
The Need for LGBTQ-Inclusive Housing and Culturally Responsive Training
Author: Julia Mauk, Board Member, Rainbow Elder Care of Greater Dayton
Secure, stable, and affordable housing is a necessary component for healthy aging for all. For LGBTQ adults who came of age in the 1960s and 1970s, safe homes are especially important. This post addresses several models for LGBTQ housing.
May 31, 2022
National Elder Fraud Hotline Basics
Author: Lori McGee, Elder Fraud Hotline
Financial exploitation and fraudulent scams aimed at older adults result in the loss of billions every year. Read about the US Department of Justice's National Elder Fraud Hotline, funded by the Office for Victims of Crime, which provides assistance to all adults ages 60 and older who may be victims of financial fraud.
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April 28, 2022
APS Operational Plans: Planting the Seeds for the Future
Author: Jennifer Kirchen, APS TARC Team
APS formula grants opened up a new world of opportunity for improving programs. Jennifer Kirchen highlights state operational plans and the support they received to make them happen.
March 31, 2022
Elder Justice Roadmap: A Progress Update
Author: Georgia J. Anetzberger, PhD, ACSW, Consultant and Adjunct Faculty, Case Western Reserve University
In this blog post, elder abuse researcher Georgia Anetzberger shares information on the history of elder abuse, the publication of the Elder Justice Roadmap, and her perspective on where we are today as a system and where we're going.
February 28, 2022
Equity and Older Adults: How Systemic Inequities Affect Elder Abuse and Adult Protective Services
Author: Sahar Takshi, JD, Staff Attorney, Justice in Aging
The last two years have highlighted deep-rooted systemic racism in our country and exposed the gaps in addressing such inequities. In this blog post, Sahar Takshi introduces the connection between equity and older adults, and provide some tools—including definitions, resources, and promising practices—to apply equity principles to APS.
January 31, 2022
The Long, Long Road of COVID
Author: Karl Urban, APS TARC Team
The APS TARC has been tracking and analyzing the impact of COVID throughout the pandemic and creating resources to support the field. Karl Urban summarizes these resources and explores how we've grown and what we've learned from the pandemic.
December 31, 2021
Immigrant Clients: Casework, Outreach, and Protection
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association
APS clients who are immigrants bring their own unique vulnerabilities and resource challenges, particularly for undocumented immigrants. Kendra Kuehn examines the work and partnerships built by APS that can help connect immigrant clients to greater support and raise awareness.
September 28, 2021
From State to Federal: A Legislative Snapshot
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association
As we enter the fall, the majority of states have concluded their legislative sessions or may be moving into special sessions on issues such as redistricting or addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a synopsis by Kendra Kuehn of what’s happened nationwide.
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.