More Accomplishments
Partnership with WellMed
In 2018, the partnership between APS, WellMed Charitable Foundation (WellMed) and the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging started a new prevention program to reduce risk of self-neglect among patients who are older than 65 or who have disabilities. The program and study was made possible by a grant in 2016, and began serving patients in April, 2018. It involves:
- Screening primary care patients who are at high risk of self-neglect.
- Providing home visits, needs assessments, and service plans.
- Follow up by clinical social workers over a four-month period.
A randomized controlled study will evaluate this new approach. It is expected to make an important contribution to research on adult abuse interventions.
This partnership began in 2012 with a grant from the federal Administration on Community Living. APS collaborated with WellMed to develop new approaches to identifying and responding to elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation (ANE). Early on, APS trained clinic staff on ANE and APS services and added ANE screening and reporting protocols to routine care at clinics. APS also placed staff at WellMed to provide ongoing consultation, outreach, and help with case coordination. Clinic workers learned more about APS and abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. Case management as well as ANE screening and reporting improved.
In August 2018, the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) recognized the partnership with the NAPSA Collaboration Award for developing new approaches to address adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Improved Risk Assessment Tool
APS improved the Risk of Recidivism Assessment tool in July 2018 based on recommendations from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency. APS uses this tool to assess our clients’ risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation in the next six to 12 months on a scale of low, moderate, or high. These changes were shown to improve the tool’s accuracy in identifying the most vulnerable adults. This will assist caseworkers in developing more effective service plans so clients are less likely to be abused, neglected, or financially exploited in the future.
APS Performance Management
In FY 2018, APS continued to perfect its efforts to improve the quality of its work. The APS Quality Assurance (QA) team checks program performance by reading and scoring two cases per caseworker every month, and doing an analysis of each unit in the state. This let supervisors see how each worker was doing, as well as their unit as a whole, including strengths and areas for improvement. In FY 2018, the QA team began offering face-to-face meetings with field staff and managers.
APS uses what it calls “target zones” in its management approach. Target zones are acceptable variations on key performance metrics that help define “healthy casework.” Managers at all levels get monthly data and a more in-depth quarterly analysis. Managers use the information to ensure APS is doing quality work consistently across the state, to improve practice, and show clear progress toward meeting program expectations.