DIVISION OF SENIOR AND DISABILITY SERVICES
Adult Protective Services Policy Manual
Investigative Authority
1701.00

The role of DSDS is to ensure the protection of elderly and disabled adults, who are unable to provide or secure services for themselves, by ensuring a safe and healthy environment. DSDS is mandated by statute to investigate all reported abuse, neglect, and exploitation involving disabled or elderly adults who are unable to protect their own interest. Statute defines an “Eligible Adult” as a person who is 60 years old or older, or a disabled adult age between 18 to 59 years old, who is unable to protect his or her own interests or obtain services which are necessary to meet his or her essential human needs. Statutes define disability as a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as, caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, and working. (192.2005, 192.2400, 192.2415, RSMo.)

The Purpose and Goals of DSDS Investigations:

·  Strive to ensure the adult is safe

·  Strive to ensure an adult’s daily needs are met

·  Conduct thorough investigations

·  Interview all involved parties such as victims, witnesses, suspects or other involved parties

·  Collect evidence

·  Make necessary referrals to local law enforcement or for prosecution

·  Respect competent adult’s right to self-determination

·  Provide protective services, referrals, or other interventions, when necessary

·  Promote independence rather than dependence

·  Maximize choice, and provide meaningful input for preferences

·  Provide alternatives to institutional care

·  Empowerment to obtain optimal self-determination

·  Advocate when the adult is unable to advocate for themselves

·  Assist in locating alternative living arrangements when possible

What DSDS Can Do:

·  DSDS can provide protective service interventions to individuals who are willing to accept services.

·  DSDS can authorize in-home services when necessary and eligibility criteria is met

·  DSDS will intervene when the adult is incapacitated and in need of medical or mental health intervention, by contacting respective EMS/Law enforcement who can transport the adult to any medical facility for admittance when it is believed that imminent harm could come to the adult, (RSMo 192.2465.1)

·  DSDS can intervene on behalf of an incapacitated adult to obtain a representative, as a last resort, to assist with proper decision making, based on medical information provided and court intervention

·  DSDS can refer reports to other authorized agencies for investigation

What DSDS Cannot Do:

·  DSDS does not have the authority to remove/evict an adult from their home

·  DSDS cannot transport adults

·  DSDS cannot place an adult in a mental health facility or hospital

·  DSDS cannot force a competent adult to change their behavior or lifestyle

Memorandum History: APS-17-02

Page 1 of 1 Effective: 02/17