ACL is highlighting the latest in effective and promising Adult Protective Services (APS) practices with updated voluntary guidelines for state APS systems.
In 2016, experts in the field of APS and adult maltreatment developed the guidelines to capture the best research available on what works in APS and similar systems. Since then, ACL has updated the guidelines every two years to incorporate new research, promising practices, and critical thinking from the field. The effort reflects ACL's commitment to supporting states in developing effective APS systems that ensure adults are afforded similar protections and services, regardless of their state or jurisdiction.
The updated guidelines reflect findings from 24 recent studies, over 250 comments from stakeholders, and review by a technical expert panel comprised of nine researchers and APS leaders. The guidelines also reflect the latest data from ACL's National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System
Updates included a new glossary to help clarify the meaning of commonly used terms as well as expanded content in several key areas including quality assurance, program evaluation, and supervisor training.
Download the 2020 Updated National Voluntary Consensus Guidelines for State APS Systems:
- 2020 Voluntary Consensus Guidelines (PDF)
- Appendix 1: glossary of terms used in the Guidelines (PDF)
- Appendix 2: annotated bibliography of APS research literature (PDF)
- Appendix 3: full report on the process for updating the Guidelines (PDF)
APS is a social services program provided by state and local governments serving older adults and adults with disabilities who need assistance because of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation. In all states, APS is charged with receiving and responding to reports of adult maltreatment and working closely with clients and a wide variety of allied professionals to maximize client safety and independence.
Learn more about ACL's ongoing efforts to support state APS systems.