Adult Protective Services

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services, through the Bureau of Adult Services, is responsible for the oversight of the Adult Protective Services and the Family Type Home for Adults programs.

Adult Protective Services (APS)

APS is a mandated service provided by local social services districts. It involves intake, investigation and assessment of referrals of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of impaired vulnerable adults who live in the community. APS workers develop services plans for eligible clients to remedy physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or to address unmet, essential needs of adults.

APS serves adults (age 18 and older) who, due to physical or mental impairments:

• are unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or other harm;
• or
• have no one available who is willing and able to assist responsibly.

Services provided (directly or through referral) may range from safety monitoring, linkages with other service providers (health, mental health, aging, etc.), assistance in obtaining benefits, informal money management, to appointment as a representative payee, to petitioning a court for appointment as a guardian or for some other legal intervention.

The Role of The Bureau of Adult Protective Services

The investigation, maintenance of a case record, and delivery of services are governed by state regulations. The bureau’s role is to:

• oversee local APS Program statewide;
• provide technical assistance to APS units;
• conduct periodic APS case reviews to monitor compliance with state standards;
• coordinate development and implementation of training for APS staff;
• develop and implement new program initiatives;
• review and approve state plan components relating to APS;
• respond to inquiries/complaints relating to administration/supervision of APS;
• issue policy directives relating to APS; and
• participate in workgroups and initiatives with other agencies and providers relating to APS/Adult Services issues.

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