ACL recently awarded more than $85.4 million in American Rescue Plan funding for 55 state and territorial Adult Protective Services (APS) programs. APS programs will use the funding to provide emergency housing and other wrap-around services to empower clients to recover from maltreatment. The funding will also help programs in address other critical areas including information technology, training, partnerships, staffing, reporting, outreach, and personal protective equipment.
APS is a social services program provided by state, territorial, and local governments to support older adults and adults with disabilities experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation. APS programs investigate reports of maltreatment; provide support and, in some cases, case-management; and connect those facing abuse to a variety of protective, emergency, and support services.
Over the past decade, ACL has led federal efforts to support the critical work of APS programs through a variety of initiatives including awarding the first federal funding for APS. In fiscal year 2020, ACL awarded $1.75 million in funding to APS programs to enhance their programs in light of the opioid epidemic.
Until recently, the federal government has had a limited role in supporting APS programs. This started to change with the 2010 passage of the Elder Justice Act. Over the past decade, ACL has led federal efforts to support the critical work of APS programs through a variety of initiatives including developing Voluntary Consensus Guidelines containing recommendations and best practices from the field and launching the first comprehensive national reporting system for APS programs, the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System. In 2015, ACL awarded the first federal grants specifically designated for APS, awarding $2.8 million to 11 APS programs.
The ARPA funding comes four months after ACL awarded over $93 million in Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act funding to state and territorial APS programs. These two rounds of awards represent the largest-ever federal investment to support APS programs and the first time the federal government has awarded "formula" grants, which are simultaneously available to every state and territorial APS program in the country.
The COVID-19 pandemic, and resulting increases in social isolation, have increased the risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation for older adults and people with disabilities while straining APS programs and staff. APS programs have used CRRSAA funding to address pandemic-related needs in a variety of ways, including by purchasing PPE for staff conducting investigations and case work and by providing temporary housing.
Learn more about ACL's work to support state and local APS programs and view a state-by-state breakdown of this year’s APS formula grants.