Older APS Blog Posts
This page is an archive of older blog posts.
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.
Newer APS Blog Posts
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.
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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.
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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.
Older APS Blog Posts
December 31, 2019
Resources for APS: Working with People with Dementia
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association
Kendra Kuehn provides an overview of resources APS staff can use when working with clients with dementia. From the impact on caregivers to training resources and culturally competent services, this blog post will be helpful for both veteran and new APS staff.
December 30, 2019
Highlights from the Adult Maltreatment Report 2018
Author: Leslie McGee, APS TARC Staff
New APS TARC staff member Leslie McGee provides highlights from the recently released Adult Maltreatment Report 2018, which contains new information on APS clients, victims, perpetrators and more.
Septermber 27, 2019
Breaking Silos and Building Networks: Supporting Adults with Disabilities
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association
Today we are going to look at specific programs and organizations across the nation that address or support people with disabilities who have been victims of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. As in all APS work, a key theme is collaboration and support between organizations and agencies.
September 20, 2019
News from the Field - September 2019
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association
Recently, we explored innovative projects in APS programs, many of which have been supported by Administration for Community Living (ACL) APS enhancement grants. This month we will look at how the National Voluntary Consensus Guidelines for State Adult Protective Services Systems (“Guidelines”) developed by ACL are influencing state practice and policy.
August 29, 2019
What is Data Quality?
Author: Jason Cannizzo, APS TARC Staff
Over the past decade terms like big data, data analytics, and business intelligence have become commonplace, often heard in conversations between technology and business communities. The amount of data being collected has exploded in recent years, across all sectors of society. This blog addresses the specifics of what is meant by "data quality."
August 5, 2019
Emergency Client Housing: A Complicated Issue
Author: Andrew Capehart, APS TARC Staff
A call comes into your APS intake hotline on a Friday afternoon. An elderly woman was reported to the police by a neighbor as having been abandoned by her caregiver. The police are calling for help with the elderly woman, who appears severely neglected. Read this post for more information about emergency client housing for clients such as this.
July 25, 2019
News from the Field - July 2019
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association
This post provides an overview of innovative projects in progress to improve services to adult protective services (APS) clients. APS programs, researchers, and federal programs are all testing out new ideas in serving older adults and people with disabilities.
June 28, 2019
News from the Field - June 2019
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association
With the ending of most states’ legislative sessions, this month we will be looking at new statutes impacting adult protective services programs. From funding bills to program changes here is a snapshot of what’s happening nationwide.
May 28, 2019
News from the Field - May 2019
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association
We are looking forward to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15th and all events happening from the national to local level. This post will give you all the latest details.
May 22, 2019
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2019 - Lifting Up Voices
Author: Julie Schoen, National Center on Elder Abuse
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) has a broad perspective on the ever changing, ever engaging social justice issue of elder abuse. The NCEA provides the latest information regarding research, training, best practices, news and resources on elder abuse, neglect and exploitation to professionals and the public. Hear about what's happening for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD).
April 26, 2019
News from the Field - April 2019
Author: Kendra Kuehn, National Adult Protective Services Association
In this new monthly blog, we look forward to sharing what’s going on around the country. The APS Technical Assistance Resource Center (TARC) and the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) provide national and regional conference calls and a listserv to help APS workers and NAPSA members across the nation stay connected and share information and questions.
March 1, 2019
Con Artists Love a Major Disaster
Authors: Maria Greene & André Feijóo, APS TARC Team Members
Older adults and adults with disabilities are prime targets of con artists after a major disaster. Government warnings prior to natural disasters - such as hurricanes, flooding, and tornadoes, or man-made disasters such as chemical spills and wildfires - provide guidance on the safety of people, animals, and property. Read about the scams that target people recovering from a major disaster and how they can be avoided.
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February 1, 2019
Self Defense on the Job Is Like Defensive Driving
Author: Dan Elliot, Cooperative Communication Specialist
There are lots of techniques for being safe at work, but there are things to be considered first, especially for adult protective services investigators dealing with clients in their own homes. This blog will address some of the basics of worker safety.