APS Technical Assistance
Resource Center
Home / Learning & Resources / Blog
APS Technical Assistance
Resource Center
Home / Learning & Resources / Blog
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
HHS Administration for Community Living websites devoted to supporting Elder Justice
 | BlogThe 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 form at the bottom of the page. |
Blog Posts
Advancing Person-Centered Services: Incorporating Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Questions in APS Practice
April 2024
The LGBTQ+ population is aging, and as such there is growing representation of this community among APS caseloads. APS professionals who develop skills and comfort with asking older adults and adults with disabilities about their sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) will find benefits in their risk assessment, service planning, and overall client outcomes.
Ask the Trainer: Perspectives on Cultural Humility and APS
March 2024
The importance of cultural humility and responsiveness is increasingly being recognized in many professions, including in adult protective services (APS). Quatana Hodges, Senior Social Services Supervisor with Orange County, California Adult Protective Services’ Training and Career Development Department, shared her best practices and tools in training APS staff on cultural humility and responsiveness in an interview with Kendra Kuehn.
Collaboration for Adult Protective Services in Indian Country
February 2024
State adult protective services (APS) programs work with Native American tribes within their state areas, and there is a need to develop collaborative and helpful partnerships to benefit those who need services. This blog discusses some helpful approaches and ideas, specifically how the Muckleshoot Tribe operates our APS program.
Affordable Housing and Adult Protective Services
February 2024
Stable and accessible housing is essential to wellbeing and quality of life at all ages. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2030 includes housing stability as a key support to positive health outcomes. But access to stable and affordable housing is becoming more difficult for many older adults and people with disabilities. In this blog, Kendra Kuehn explains affordable housing basics and resources for accessing affordable housing.
Adult Maltreatment Report 2022: Taking NAMRS to the Next Level
January 2024
The National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS) was developed to better understand the phenomena of adult maltreatment and identify system gaps for responding to maltreatment and preventing repeat maltreatment. In this blog, APS TARC staff member and report co-author Leslie McGee examines the forthcoming Adult Maltreatment Report and provides highlights of its upcoming data.
What's New and What's Coming from the National APS Training Center
December 2023
The National APS Training Center (NATC) has been providing training to APS professionals across the country for three years, and it’s just getting started. This month’s blog post, written by NATC Director Chris Dubble, highlights the many accomplishments of the program since its implementation, and discusses plans for the expansion and enhancement of NATC’s ongoing support for APS and our allied professionals.
R3: An Exciting New App to Help Recognize, Report, and Respond to Abuse
November 2023
The Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) and its project partners have released DPPC’s R3 app for adults with disabilities. The R3 app was designed with and for adults with disabilities to help them recognize, report, and respond to abuse. This month’s blog explores how the app was developed and funded, as well as information on how adults with disabilities across the country can utilize this important resource.
Highlights of 2023 Legislation: Collaborations, Teamwork, and Fighting Discrimination
October 2023
As most state legislatures finish their work for 2023, many have passed significant measures impacting adult protective services (APS) programs, clients, and partners. In preparation for the next year, we’re taking the opportunity to look back at what’s happened across the country concerning adult maltreatment legislation.
Mental Health vs. Mental Illness: Distinguishing the Differences
September 2023
One in five adults (21%) are experiencing at least one mental illness, and a little over half of them (55%) have not received any treatment. APS workers are very likely to encounter individuals who are experiencing mental illness, whether they are diagnosed (and/or receiving treatment) or not. This blog post explains the differences between mental health and mental illness and provides helpful information and resources to support effective APS practice with clients involved with the mental health system.
What’s “Unwinding” or “Medicaid Renewal” All About and Why Should I Pay Attention?
August 2023
During the COVID-19 pandemic certain rules about Medicaid eligibility were relaxed so people with Medicaid would have access to health care during the public health emergency. In May 2023, this Medicaid leniency ended, and states have returned to reassessing eligibility for Medicaid for every Medicaid beneficiary. This blog post explores the potential impact of the reassessments and provides resources for clients and practitioners to help individuals gain or maintain access to needed services.
The APS Administrative Data Initiative (AADI): Using Administrative Data to Strengthen APS Programs
July 2023
As federal agencies support the development of, and access to, data systems for APS, researchers and practitioners are increasingly using administrative data to study different types of adult mistreatment and the systems that respond to them. This blog post discusses the APS Administrative Data Initiative and the ongoing nationwide effort to collaboratively identify significant, unmet needs related to APS administrative data, develop a roadmap to address those needs, and use the data to study and address adult mistreatment.
Last Modified: 03/18/2024