What is Adult Protective Services in Bergen County, NJ?

Adult Protective Services (APS) programs have been established in each county in New Jersey to receive an investigate reports of suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults living in a community setting.

The Purpose of APS: Stabilize a crisis situation using the least intrusive methods respecting an individual’s right to self-determination.

APS Cases: APS may become involved in situations that meet all of these conditions:

A vulnerable adult is:

*Age 18 years or older AND

*Residing in the community AND

*Due to physical or mental illness, disability or deficiency, lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make, communicate or carry out decisions concerning his or her well-being AND

*Is the subject of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

A community setting is:

*A private residence OR

*Any non-institutional setting not licensed by operated by or under contract with, a State department or agency.

Making a Referral to APS:

The referral should be made by the person with first-hand information about the client.

The referral should be made directly to the county in which the client including:

*Client’s name, address, phone number.

*DOB and Social Security number

*Diagnoses-health and/or mental health issues.

*Family members/support systems (services/agencies involved)

*A specific allegation of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Confidentiality: All records and communications pertaining to any report, evaluation or service provided pursuant to the Adult Protective Services Act (PL1993 CH.249, C52:27D) are confidential.

APS is only permitted to share the results of an APS assessment when directed to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction or when disclosure of information is necessary for the Division or the APS provider to perform its responsibilities as set forth by statute.

Limits to Assistance:

An APS worker is not authorized to:

*Remove a vulnerable adult from his or her home without a court order.

*Force an adult with capacity to accept services.

*Move an individual situation without his/her agreement or legal representative’s agreement.

Mandatory Reporting:

In 2010, New Jersey’s APS Law (N.J. S.A. 52:27D-406 to 426) was amended to require health care professionals, law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics or emergency medical technicians who have reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult is the subject of abuse, neglect or exploitation to report that information to the county Adult Protection Services office. It’s the LAW!

Bergen County:

Bergen County Board of Social Services

218 Route 17 North

Rochelle Park, NJ  07662

Phone: (201) 368-4300

After hours: 1-800-624-0275

http://www.bcbss.com

For additional information:

NJ Department of Human Services

Division of Aging Services

P.O. Box 812

Trenton, NJ  08625-0812

Phone: (609) 588-6501

After hours: 911 or local police

http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/aps

Disclaimer: This information was taken from the Adult Protective Services pamphlet. Please call the above numbers if you need additional information on the service.