7-005.02A Role of Adult Protective Service Worker

The primary role of the APS worker is to determine the Department's response to allegations of abuse or self- neglect.  Secondary roles of the worker during intake are as educator, consultant and referral source.

Intake reports meeting acceptance guidelines for adult abuse must be assigned for investigation or referred to law enforcement and/or to HHS Regulation and Licensure, as appropriate.

The Department's response to a referral is determined by the workers at intake who screen for adult abuse/neglect.  The APS worker must consult with his/her supervisor as needed.  Workers at intake must be:

• Skilled professionals who have training in Adult Protective Services;

• Knowledgeable about applicable statutes, regulations, and practice; and

• Responsible for making decisions with the information available.

The APS worker must gather, compile and document information necessary on the Department's APS intake form to determine appropriate Department response.  The following tasks apply to any report made to the Department.  

1. Elicit information from the reporting party, or review the written report;

2. Contact others having knowledge of the situation if more information is needed;

3. Check the APS Central Registry for any prior APS records and other Department information systems for relevant information (for example, ADC, AABD, Food Stamps);

4. Determine whether report indicates suspected abuse/neglect of a vulnerable adult;

5. Based on the report, assign a priority to the case;

6. Notify law enforcement of any accepted report no later than the next working day as required by statute; and

7. Submit intake form (see Appendix) to data entry no later than the next working day following the receipt of the report by the local office.

Consultation with an APS supervisor and/or the APS Program Manager may be used during any of these tasks.