OAR 411-020-0000: Purpose and Scope of Program

(1) RESPONSIBILITY. The Department of Human Services (Department), Aging and People with Disabilities program (APD) has the responsibility to provide Adult Protective Services (APS) to older adults and to adults with physical disabilities whose situation is within APD's jurisdiction to investigate. (2) INTENT. The intent of the APS Program is to provide prevention, protection, and intervention for older adults and adults with physical disabilities who are unable to protect themselves from abuse and self-neglect. (3) SCOPE OF SERVICES. The scope of services includes: (a) Receiving reports of abuse or self-neglect; (b) Providing and documenting risk assessment of alleged victims; (c) Conducting and documenting investigations of alleged abuse and self-neglect; (d) Providing appropriate resources for victim safety; and (e) Collection of statewide data of Adult Protective Services. (4) AVAILABILITY. Adult Protective Services are available from the Department to any adult resident of a licensed care facility, to nursing facility residents regardless of age, and to any adult residing in the community who meets the eligibility criteria in OAR 411-020-0015. (5) INTERVENTION MODEL. (a) As a human services agency, the Department embraces a social model of intervention with a primary focus on offering safety and protection to the alleged victim. The over-arching ethical value in Adult Protective Services is the obligation to balance the duty to protect older adults and adults with physical disabilities with the duty to protect their right to self-determination. (b) The Department relies upon other key sources, such as law enforcement, legal, medical, and regulatory professionals, to assist in responding to the overall problems associated with abuse and self-neglect, and encourages active participation and sharing of appropriate information by APS staff on multidisciplinary teams. (c) The Department supports efforts to promote education and outreach services that help identify and prevent abuse and self-neglect of older adults and adults with physical disabilities.