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HHS Administration for Community Living websites devoted to supporting Elder Justice

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<h2 style="text-align:center;">APS Technical Assistance&nbsp;</h2><h2 style="text-align:center;">Resource Center</h2>

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<h1>Outcomes and Process Evaluations of Adult Protective Services&nbsp;</h1>The Administration for Community Living funded two studies to examine both the adult protective services (APS) system and the impact APS programs make on clients’ lives. These two studies shed light on both the social services system that investigates adult maltreatment and the difference that system makes for older adults and adults with disabilities.

<h2>National APS Process Evaluation</h2>&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;The National Adult Protective Services Process Evaluation is based on research conducted by the APS Technical Assistance Resource Center (APS TARC). This evaluation was designed and implemented to describe the current landscape of APS program structure and operations across the United States. &nbsp;An <a href="https://pfs2.acl.gov/strapib/assets/Logic_Model_508_v2_ef3cf1824e.pdf">APS Logic Model</a> was developed and provided a framework for identifying potential evaluation research questions. The evaluation consisted of three components outlined below.

Component 1Review of State APS Policies&nbsp;The purpose of this component was to document the policy framework for state APS programs. The APS TARC compiled, reviewed, and analyzed state extant policy documents and data from the <a href="https://namrs.acl.gov/home#gsc.tab=0">National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System</a> (NAMRS). A report on Component 1 is available in two volumes: <a href="https://pfs2.acl.gov/strapib/assets/APS_State_Policy_Profiles_2021_Report_Vol_1_Final_66957e6df7.pdf">Volume I</a> (PDF | 624 KB) and <a href="https://pfs2.acl.gov/strapib/assets/APS_State_Policy_Profiles_2021_Report_Vol_2_Final_ee7deb6a21.pdf">Volume II</a> (PDF | 4 MB).&nbsp;

Component 2Inventory of State Practices and Services Innovations&nbsp;The objective of this component was to establish a baseline of understanding about APS program practices. A comprehensive online survey was administered to all state APS programs.&nbsp;

Component 3Understanding APS Outcomes in a System Context&nbsp;The objective of this component was to create an analytical framework to examine state patterns and relationships of APS program key policies and practice, and APS system outcomes. A database was established (which includes data from Components 1 &amp; 2) and an analysis was conducted of the relationship between dependent and independent variables.

The National APS Process Evaluation is available in a <a href="https://pfs2.acl.gov/strapib/assets/APSTARC_Evaluation_Short_01368ac71a.pdf">Summary Report</a>, or in the full volume by clicking the button below.

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<h2>APS Client Outcomes Study</h2>&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;Completed by New Editions Consulting, Inc., the purpose of this APS Client Outcomes Study was to examine if and how APS programs make a difference in the lives of clients with regard to their satisfaction, safety/risk, and well-being. The study used a mixed-methods approach that included primary data collection (with APS clients, APS workers, and APS state and county leaders) and analysis of NAMRS data.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Study questions included:&nbsp;<ul><li>What changes do clients report as a result of receiving APS services?</li><li>How satisfied are clients with the APS services they receive?</li><li>To what extent do APS programs affect client risk of maltreatment?</li><li>To what extent do APS programs affect client well-being (e.g., quality of life, financial, physical health, etc.)? &nbsp;</li></ul>Read the Outcomes Study report below.&nbsp; &nbsp;