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Washington, DC, Adult Protective Services to Enhance Adult Protection Using SDM® Model

November 23, 2015 | NCCD

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Vulnerable adults living in Washington, DC, are likely to see improved outcomes through enhancement of the district’s Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services (APS). The district agency provides protective services to elderly individuals and other adults at risk of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation.

Vulnerable adults living in Washington, DC, are likely to see improved outcomes through enhancement of the district’s Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services (APS). The district agency provides protective services to elderly individuals and other adults at risk of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation. DCAPS received a two-year grant from the US Administration for Community Living (ACL) to enhance their APS systems, largely using NCCD’s Structured Decision Making® (SDM) assessments to improve decision making and data collection.

Using SDM® assessments, DCAPS will work to increase the reliability, validity, and equity of decisions at critical points in APS cases and at the agency level. This includes connecting assessments to daily practice through training and integration into the existing database, including mobile access, for real-time assessment documentation and data collection. The assessments also will provide managers and supervisors with information regarding improved program planning, evaluation, and resource allocation, as well as the ability to improve consistency and resource efficiency when working with tight budgets and large staff turnover.

NCCD helps APS agencies across the United States use research as the basis for service decisions through the implementation of research-based and structured assessments. Identifying adults who are at high risk of subsequent maltreatment or self-neglect may help workers target engagement efforts more effectively toward those adults most in need of long-term services.

Additionally, with NCCD’s assistance, DCAPS will work under the ACL grant to include accurate documentation of improvements in APS outcomes in a manner that is consistent with national data collection efforts, such as the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System.

Click here to learn more about NCCD’s APS work.