To report abuse, call 1-833-401-0832; when prompted, enter your 5-digit ZIP code to be connected to the Adult Protective Services in your county 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. If you or another person is experiencing an urgent medical or general emergency, call 911; for behavioral crises, dial 988.
Immediate-Need Resources
- SOC 341 Reporting Form
SOC 341 General reporting form for suspected elder or dependent-adult abuse from the California Department of Social Services; also available in Armenian, Chinese and Spanish. - Elder Abuse First Responder Checklist
Elder Abuse First Responder Checklist Checklist of observations from the National Center on Elder Abuse. - Housing
211 California Dial 211 24/7 for local crisis housing assistance; services also available in Spanish; number available in most California counties. Disability Action Network Housing List Subscribe to be emailed a weekly list of available housing in Colusa, Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Plumas, Shasta, Lassen, Siskiyou and Modoc counties from the Disability Action Center. Area Agencies on Aging Provides references to local housing resources; administered by the California Department of Aging. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Emergency housing voucher and assistance contacts listed by state and region. - Home Cleanup and Repair Assistance
911 Hazmat Northern California hoarding cleanup and hazmat services (private company). All In Organizing Sacramento-area home organizing services (private company). Habitat for Humanity/Home Preservation Program Specializes in exterior repairs. Rebuilding Together/Safe at Home Provides general repair services via affiliates nationwide. - Transportation
211 California/Ride United Dial 211 for local discounted or free essential transportation assistance; available in many areas. - Food
Area Agencies on Aging Administers the Older Californians Nutrition Program; provides congregate and delivered meals. California Food Banks Lists local food banks by county and organization. Meals on Wheels Supports a nationwide network of local providers helping ensure older adults receive the nutritious meals they need to stay healthy, feel stronger and live independently at home; local services and providers searchable by ZIP code. - Medical Equipment
Lions Club Provides medical-equipment resources at several club chapters; check with your local chapter. - Animals
CalAnimals Lists local animal care and control agencies by city, county, region or organization name; map available.
APS Policies, Best Practices and Guiding Principles
| APS Guidelines to Supplement Regulations | Coordinated by the County Welfare Directors Association; along with many other resources, item includes:
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| Adult Protective Services Program: Policies and Procedures | Users manual issued as an operational tool via the California Department of Social Services. |
APS Laws and Codes
California Department of Social Services Resources
| CDSS Homepage | Direct links to key department information and resources. |
| CDSS Resources for APS | Need-to-know information and resources for California APS professionals and partners. |
Common Forms
| Report of Suspected Dependent/Elder Abuse (SOC 341) | General-use form to report suspected elder or dependent-adult abuse; also available in Spanish, Armenian and Chinese. |
| Report of Suspected Dependent/Elder Financial Abuse (SOC 342) | Form for use by financial institutions. |
| Capacity Declaration/Conservatorship Form | Form for recording the results of a capacity assessment by a clinician. |
| Application for Up to 72-Hour Assessment, Evaluation and Crisis Intervention or Placement for Evaluation and Treatment (DHCS 1801) | Application under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5150(g)(1). |
| Release of Client/Resident Medical Information (LIC 605A) | Authorizes release of medical or confidential information. |
Confidentiality
| Confidentiality in APS Cases | Welfare and Institutions Code outlining confidentiality requirements. |
Financial Agency Resources
| Federal Senior Safe Act | Strengthens and supports financial institution reporting of potential exploitation of older adults. |
| How to Recognize Elder Financial Abuse | Key indicators from California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform. |
| Mandated Reporting: It's the Right Thing to Do Video | Video from the California Department of Justice. |
| Report of Suspected Dependent/Elder Financial Abuse (SOC 342) | Form for specific use by financial institutions. |
| Welfare and Institutions Code Section 15630.1 | Outlines financial institution mandated reporting requirements. |
Law Enforcement/First Responder Resources
Mandated Reporting
Multidisciplinary Teams
| Multidisciplinary Team Technical Assistance Center | An initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative, provides tools, resource materials and individualized consultations to facilitate the expansion of elder abuse case review multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) across the nation. |
| MDT Guide and Toolkit | Helps facilitate the development and growth of elder abuse case review multidisciplinary teams (MDTs); from the U.S. Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative. |
Professional Organizations
| Board of Behavioral Sciences | Protects California consumers through effective enforcement, ensures credibility and high professional standards through examinations and licensing requirements, and provide excellent customer service to all its constituents. |
| California Association of Mental Health Patients' Rights Advocates | Protects and advances the legal rights and treatment interests of individuals with mental health disabilities. |
| California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association | Improves the accessibility and quality of long-term care Ombudsman services for elders and vulnerable adults living in nursing homes, residential care facilities, and other long-term care facilities across California. |
| County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California | Ensures access to high-quality, cost-effective, and culturally competent behavioral health care for the people of California by providing leadership, advocacy, and support to County Behavioral Health Directors and programs. |
| County Welfare Directors Association of California | Represents the human service directors from each of California’s 58 counties. |
| National Adult Protective Services Association | Provides Adult Protective Services (APS) programs a forum for sharing information, solving problems, and improving the quality of services for victims of elder and vulnerable adult mistreatment. |
| National Association of Social Workers/California Chapter | Is the largest professional social work membership association in the United States. |
Safety Resources
Self-Care Resources
| Professional Quality of Life Core Concepts | Resources and handouts from the Center for Victims of Torture; many items in multiple languages. |
| Self-Care for Social Workers | Resources from the National Association of Social Workers. |
| Vicarious Trauma Toolkit | Includes tools and resources tailored specifically to these fields that provide the knowledge and skills necessary for organizations to address the vicarious trauma needs of their staff; courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime. |
Training, Resources and Tools
- APS General Training, Resources and Tools
APS Northern Academy Instructor-Led Trainings Outlines free upcoming instructor-led training opportunities for APS staff from the APS Northern Academy. APS Northern Academy E-Learnings Lists free available self-paced e-learning training opportunities; learn how to get set up as an e-learner. APS Technical Assistance Resource Center Administered by the U.S. Administration for Community Living; works with state APS programs to improve reporting of data through the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS), conduct evaluation and identify promising practices, support communities of practice among ACL grantees, and provide technical assistance to state APS programs. National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System Administered by the U.S. Administration for Community Living; collects data on APS investigations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults and adults with disabilities, as well as information on the administration of APS programs. National Adult Protective Services Training Center Administered by the U.S. Administration for Community Living; provides quality education for APS professionals across the United States. National Center on Elder Abuse A partnership of the U.S. Administration for Community Living and the University of Southern California; provides professionals, policymakers, and the public information and resources on elder abuse prevention and response to help ensure that older adults age with dignity and respect, free from maltreatment. Overview of Use of Tools in APS Practice Outlines the nature of tools used in APS practice; includes links to additional resources. Technical Assistance Resource Center Federal initiative supports federal, state and local partners’ use of data and analytics, research and evaluation, and innovative practice and innovative strategies to enhance the effectiveness of APS programs. - Capacity Resources and Tools
Cleveland Clinic SAGE Test Short, self-administered evaluation that screens for early signs of memory or thinking problems like dementia. Montreal Cognitive Assessment Cognitive screening tool for clinical settings. St. Louis Mental Status Exam Assessment tool for mild cognitive impairment and dementia. - Dependency Resources and Tools
Determining Dependent Adult Status eLearning Self-paced course from UC Davis Human Services—APS Northern Academy provides more clarity about what information to gather and guidance in interpreting it. - Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Resources and Tools
Alzheimer's Association Professional Resources Guidelines, continuing education, tools and training by professional field from the Alzheimer's Association. - Hoarding Resources and Tools
Activities of Daily Living for Hoarding Worksheet From the Philadelphia Hoarding Task Force. Best Practices From the National Adult Protective Services Association. Clutter Image Ranking Scale From the International OCD Foundation. Clutter Hoarding Scale With PPE Recommendations From the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. Clutter Quality of Life Scale From the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. Hoarding: Engagement Best Practices From the Wigan Safeguarding Partnership. Hoarding Fact Sheet From the International OCD Foundation. Hoarding Task Force Guide From CJE Senior Life. Hoarding Rating Scale From the Philadelphia Hoarding Task Force. Uniform Inspection Checklist From the Center for Hoarding and Cluttering. Adult Children of Hoarders Private Facebook support group. Mental Health Association of San Francisco Offers online and in-person support groups for people with hoarding disorder as well as supportive families and friends. - End-of-Life Resources and Tools
California Hospice and Palliative Care Association Seeks to enhance the value and quality of end-of-life care for patients and families; offers provider search by ZIP code. Coalition for Compassionate Care of California Features advance-care and palliative-care resources for providers as well as patients and families, with several in multiple languages. Compassion and Choices Offers end-of-life and aid-in-dying resources. Judicial Branch of California Features quick tips and simple forms on advance-care planning, wills and estates.
Victim Assistance and Elder Justice
| 12 Things Everyone Can Do to Prevent Elder Abuse | Flyer from the National Center on Elder Abuse. |
| California Victim Compensation Board | State department provides financial assistance to help victims restore their lives. |
| California Victims Resource Center | Helps victims find necessary resources and learn about their rights in the criminal justice system; call or text 1 (800) VICTIMS (or 800-842-8467); live chat also available. |
| Elder Justice Network Locator | Administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, lists elder justice networks and teams by state. |
| Elder Justice Coordinating Council | Administered by the U.S. Administration for Community Living; coordinates activities related to elder abuse, neglect and exploitation across the federal government; offers resources and events. |
| National Center on Elder Abuse | A partnership of the U.S. Administration for Community Living and the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine; provides professionals, policymakers, and the public information and resources on elder abuse prevention and response to help ensure that older adults age with dignity and respect, free from maltreatment. |
| Office for Victims of Crime | As part of the U.S. Department of Justice, supports numerous services including administration of the federal Crime Victims Fund. |