Adult Protective Services (APS)

Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates reports on elder adults (60 years and older) and dependent adults (ages 18 to 59 with physical or mental limitations) when these adults are unable to meet their own needs or are victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation. Many adults are at risk with the most vulnerable being those with physical disabilities, those who are frail, and those with mental or emotional disabilities. Abuse can go on for years or may be a recent threat to the safety of an individual. Those who are abused often need assistance in protecting themselves, their income, their assets or their environment.

What We Do

Adult Protective Services provides services with the goal to create a safe environment where the individual can safely function without requiring additional intervention from the APS program. Every APS case starts with an initial suspected abuse report. Once a report is received, an APS Social Worker may:

• Initiate a personal visit to interview the adult within 24 hours to 10 days and determine if there is risk to the individual and the capacity of that individual to make their own decisions
• Interview collateral contacts
• Discuss with the individual what actions are needed to prevent further risk and/or harm
• With the adult's consent, assist in locating services which are necessary to maintain physical or mental health, i.e.:
  • Legal services
  • Medical care
  • Appropriate living arrangements
  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Adequate shelter
  • Protection from maltreatment
  • Transportation
  • Assistance with personal hygiene
• Provide advocacy to assure protection of personal rights and confidentiality

The APS program is not intended to interfere with the life style choices of elders or dependent adults. An elder who has been abused may refuse or withdraw consent at any time for services offered by APS. An exception to this policy can occur when an elder is mentally incapacitated by significant cognitive impairments and/or is being subjected to undue influence by another person.

Additional Programs Related to APS

Home Safe Adult Protective Services Program (HSAPS)

HSAPS assists Adult Protective Services clients who are experiencing, or at imminent risk of experiencing, homelessness. HSAPS implements prevention and diversion services including housing stabilization, housing navigation, case management, short-term financial assistance and referrals to appropriate providers for longer term services to promote housing stability.

Who is Eligible
An Individual who meets all of the following conditions:

• Is an Adult Protective Services (APS) client, or is in the process of intake to APS
• Is homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness
• Voluntarily agrees to participate in the program

Interventions Used in HSAPS

• Enhanced Case Management (Intensive, longer-term)
• Housing Stabilization (connection to legal assistance, eviction prevention, hazard removal, deep cleaning)
• Housing Navigation (housing search, application assistance)
• Housing Direct Financial Assistance (rental assist, security deposit, housing rehabilitation, temporary housing)
• Connections to Longer-Term Supports (referrals and coordination of services within community)

Special Needs Awareness Program (SNAP)

Do you need assistance evacuating during an emergency? As part of Butte County's Emergency Evacuation Plan, the Department of Employment and Social Services works collaboratively with multiple agencies to ensure that those in need of evacuation assistance during an emergency are identified and evacuated safely and efficiently. Click here for more information.

APS Education & Awareness

Local Students Create Awareness of Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse through Statewide Competition. The State of California Department of Social Services in conjunction with the Elder Justice Coalition and the Coordinating Council on Aging sponsored an Art and Media Contest to bring public awareness to Elder and Dependent Abuse Month which occurs each June. The contestant entry categories consisted of Radio Public Service Announcements, Hashtags and Posters.

The winner in the youth categories were all students at Pleasant Valley High School (PV) in Chico who are enrolled in a media course taught by Michael Peck. An awards ceremony was held at PV and the winner won certificates and cash awards provided by Wells Fargo Bank. The art has also been displayed at the Capital building in Sacramento. The following video highlights the winning posters and one of the public service announcements: