Adult Protective Services

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Fresno County Adult Protective Services (APS)

Fresno County APS investigates referrals of alleged abuse, neglect, self-neglect, financial abuse, exploitation and other forms of maltreatment for persons who are 60 years of age and over, or for persons who are determined to be a dependent adult (18 to 59 years old) due to a disability or who have an intellectual or developmental disability, that prevents the person from exercising or protecting their own self-interests, lack decision making abilities and/or rely on others to meet their most basic needs.

Mandated Reporters are required to report incidents of suspected abuse, neglect, financial abuse or exploitation within 24 hours of becoming aware of the suspected abuse.  The APS Careline is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week to take a referral for suspected elder or dependent adult abuse. 

If you suspect or know of an elder or dependent adult who is currently the victim of any type of abuse, neglect or exploitation, please contact the Fresno County APS Careline at (559) 600-3383 or (800) 418-1426.

What Adult Services Does

Adult Protective Services (APS) is able to provide an array of direct services and supports to help stabilize an emergency situation, with the goal of ensuring that the adult is able to remain safely in their home to the greatest degree of independence that is possible.
  • Advocacy with landlords, utility companies, health care and insurance providers
  • Short-term solution focused case management services
  • Emergency counseling, crisis resolution services
  • Provide emergency resources including clothing, assistance with medication, food or emergency shelter
  • Assists with heavy cleaning, hauling away of discarded or broken items, roach or bedbug infestation
  • Linkage to Medi-Cal, CalFresh and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
  • Assistance with home repair and home modifications
  • Housing assistance
  • Linkage to legal assistance or Victim Witness Advocacy Services
  • Linkage to money management or representative payee services

 

Types of Abuse

Physical Abuse

The non-accidental use of physical force that results or could have resulted in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment.

Sexual Abuse

Nonconsensual sexual contact of any kind.  It includes but is not limited to:

  • Unwanted touching

  • All types of sexual assault or battery such as rape, sodomy, and coerced nudity

  • Sexually explicit photographing

  • Forced exposure to pornography

  • Unwanted sexual relations with a spouse, partner, significant other or anyone else

Financial Abuse

The illegal or improper use of a client’s funds, property or assets for personal gain or benefit. 

Neglect

Defined as the refusal or failure to fulfill any part of a person’s obligations or duties to another individual.

Self-Neglect

An adult’s refusal or failure to perform essential self-care tasks.

Psychological Abuse (Mental Suffering)

The infliction of fear, anguish, agitation, or other emotional distress through verbal or nonverbal acts. 

Abandonment

Intentionally leaving or forsaking an individual.

Isolation

The purposeful prevention of communication between an individual and others without the individual’s consent or knowledge when the action is not in the individual’s best interest.

Abduction

The malicious taking or enticing away of an individual from California or keeping the individual from returning to California, when the individual lacks the capacity to consent or without consent of the conservator.


Reporting Dependent/Elder Abuse

Reporting Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse

Adult Protective Services (APS) receives reports from the public and from mandated reporters about possible abuse of elders or dependent adults and responds appropriately to assess the safety and well-being. Reports are reviewed by trained social workers and investigated as deemed appropriate. Social workers are available 24/7 to respond to crisis situations needing immediate response. When individuals are found to be at risk of harm or in need of intervention to ensure their safety, services are offered and referrals are made to appropriate agencies or programs.

  • Elders – age 60 or older
  • Dependent Adults – age 18 to 59 with physical or mental limitations which restrict their ability to carry out normal daily activities, or prohibit them from protecting themselves from abuse  

To report suspected abuse or neglect in Fresno County, contact the APS Careline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 

Phone: (559) 600-3383 or (800) 418-1426  
Fax: (559) 600-7656  


Suspected Abuse at a Skilled Nursing or Long-Term Care Facility 

To report concerns about suspected abuse or neglect of persons who are in a Skilled Nursing Facility or Long-Term Care Facility, contact the Fresno-Madera Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at (559) 224-9177.  Reports can also be made with the State of California’s CRISIS line, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at (800) 231-4024.




Mandated Reporters

By law, certain professions are required to report suspected abuse or neglect of elders and dependent adults. This must be done by telephone within 24 hours and followed up within 48 hours on a Report of Suspected Dependent Adult or Elder Abuse form (SOC 341) available below or by request to the hotline. A different form (see below) is required from financial institutions reporting financial abuse. 

 Fax completed forms to (559) 600-7656, or if unable to fax, mail the form to:  

DSS – APS 
PO Box 1912 
Fresno, CA 93718-1912



Want to know more about Elder/Dependent Adult Mandated Reporting in California?