In 2021, Adult Protective Services (APS) programs received a combined
1.3 million reports nationwide.
Each incoming report alerts intake staff to incidents of potential abuse, neglect, exploitation or other adverse events that can put an aging or dependent disabled adult at risk. Non-abusive
incidents include illness or accidental injury. The high volume of reports places a large burden on local and state APS agencies. Many struggle to retain enough qualified staff to
manage all incident reports easily and to empower current staff to handle reports effectively and efficiently. That empowerment is crucial to an agency’s success, both in responding to immediate incidents and for maintaining the long-term health of the agency.
In response to the need for training and resources, the Adult Protective Services Technical Assistance Resource Center (APS TARC)
published toolkits that offer clear instruction, guidance, resources and standards to encourage more effective, sustainable practices in incident management. The toolkits each center on a distinct aspect or role of successful APS work, with topics as diverse as administration, training, forensic accounting and intake.
One resource, in particular, “
Intake: The Gateway Into APS,” offers direction and resources on eight key facets of intake work:
- Information Gathering
- Pre-Screening
- Assigning
- Reporters
- Staff
- Training
- Data and Technology
- Quality Assurance
Intake specialists deal with initial reports of potential abuse, neglect or adverse incidents first. They record information reported in-person, over the phone, by text or online, and perform pre-screening assessments to determine the appropriate next steps. Intake also involves creating records of all reports.
Each section of the toolkit articulates the core goals, laws and ethical parameters at the heart of each aspect. It also
describes best practices when engaging in each facet of intake work, which APS TARC draws from longitudinal research, case studies and statistical analysis.
“Intake: The Gateway Into APS,” isn’t intended to be used entirely on its own. Instead, it includes hyperlinks to resources that explore and educate on each subset of the work in more depth. It also invites agencies and educators to contact them to receive more information, or to explore related subjects directly.
Like APS TARC, we care deeply about health services professionals and the people they serve. We recognize the need for greater structural support for the most vulnerable members of our society, and the agencies that serve them.
And, like APS TARC, we’ve created a tool that can be one among many in a diverse arsenal for those who want to improve the way they meet the needs of aging and disabled adults. FEI’s Blue Compass incident management solution offers tools to streamline workflows for intake professionals, optimizing the incident management reporting process and empowering staff to move through the report lifecycle faster.
Features that simplify—and, in some instances, automate—initial incident capture, triage, follow-up and reporting alleviate much of the burden inherent to dealing with a high volume of reports. Saving time, hassle, and mental energy frees intake specialists to focus on the person they’re working with in the moment with attentive care, and it helps them make effective decisions.
Adult Protective Services agencies need resources, support, and compassion. We believe in a future where they have an abundance of all three.
