What is Adult Protective Services?

Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates reports of elder maltreatment within Summit County. It is operated by the Summit County Department of Jobs and Family Services in accordance with mandates by the state of Ohio. Specifically, APS addresses concerns of abuse, neglect, and exploitation regarding adults age 60 years and older who reside in an independent, community living arrangement.

Neglect – the failure of an adult to provide the goods or services necessary for his or her own safety and/or well-being − such as avoiding physical harm, mental anguish or mental illness − or the failure of a caretaker to provide such goods or services.

Exploitation – The unlawful or improper act of a caretaker using an adult or his/her resources for monetary or personal benefit, profit or gain.

Physical abuse – The intentional use of physical force that results in injury, pain or impairment. It includes pushing, hitting, slapping, pinching and other ways of physically harming a person. It can also mean placing an individual in incorrect positions, force feeding, restraining or giving medication without the person’s knowledge.

Emotional abuse – When a person is threatened, humiliated, intimidated or otherwise psychologically hurt. It includes the violation of an adult’s right to make decisions and the loss of his or her privacy.

Sexual abuse – Includes rape or other unwanted, nonconsensual sexual contact. It also can mean forced or coerced nudity, exhibitionism and other non-touching sexual situations, regardless of the age of the perpetrator.

Partnership with The Battered Women’s Shelter

The APS stability team operates through a partnership between Summit County Department of Jobs and Family Services and The Battered Women’s Shelter. The stability teams provide intensive, short-term case management for the community’s most at-risk adults. The stability team collaborates with APS investigators and community partners to connect vulnerable adults with long-term supports in order to maximize independence and prevent harm. The stability team works closely with the adult and their family for the duration of their case with APS.

In addition to case management services, The Battered Women’s Shelter also works with APS to address housing and utility crises for APS involved adults through emergency shelter placement.