Study on the impact of COVID-19 on Adult Protective Service (APS) Programs

This data collection is new and will investigate the impact of COVID-19 on APS programs across the country. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing changes in APS policy and practice in several areas, including, but not limited to, a reduction of in-person interactions with clients, perpetrators, and collaterals. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and is predicted to return in waves, it is critical to understand the effectiveness of APS policy and practice changes and preparedness for such emergency situations. Findings will be shared with APS programs so that knowledge and effective strategies are shared and applied to current and future challenges. The study objectives are to examine COVID-19’s impact on: Work and Workload: Determine the short-term impact of COVID-19 on program work and workload as measured by the impact on the number and types of cases, workload, and outcomes. Policy and Practice: Identify, categorize and analyze the impact of policy and practice changes implemented as a result of COVID-19 and document what changes were considered successful and not successful. Specifically, identify the issues that are arising from the policy and practice changes and document how APS staff have addressed them. Effect on Staff: Identify the impact on staff in areas such as job satisfaction, job readiness, and safety and determine how to reduce the negative impacts during future emergencies. Partnerships: Identify the impact of COVID-19 on relationships between APS and its community partners (e.g., law enforcement, healthcare, mental health) and determine how those relationship can be improved on an ongoing basis and in preparation for the next emergency. In addition, identify any new or pronounced partnerships, such as social services, and how these relationships can be better prepared or established during times of emergency. Preparedness Plans: Identify the impact of COVID-19 on the emergency preparedness plans of APS programs and determine how those plans can be improved, particularly in preparation for the next emergency.

The latest form for Study on the impact of COVID-19 on Adult Protective Service (APS) Programs expires 2021-01-31 and can be found here.