APS serves adults (age 18 and older) who, due to physical or mental impairments:
Services provided (directly or through referral) may range from safety monitoring, linkages with other service providers (health, mental health, aging, etc.), assistance in obtaining benefits, informal money management, to appointment as a representative payee, to petitioning a court for appointment as a guardian or for some other legal intervention.
APS seeks to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect or financial exploitation, while respecting the rights of adults with capacity to self-determination.
APS must respect the right of an adult with capacity to refuse help offered by APS and others; this is sometimes difficult for others to understand. APS has no legal authority to act solely to remove any person from their home or other setting, or to take any involuntary action; instead, APS must request action from the court or some other official authorized (such as law enforcement, mental health or developmental disabilities officials) to take involuntary action. In cases when an involuntary protective services intervention is considered, the least restrictive alternatives that will adequately protect the needs of the vulnerable adult must be used.
The Office of Children and Family Services website you offers information about services, frequently asked questions, and how we can help principles.
For more information on any of these services, or to make a referral contact the local office at 845-486-3300 or by fax 845-486-3025.
To obtain general information about APS call the OCFS Human Services Call Center Bureau of Adult Services Helpline at 1-844-697-3505
