HOW REPORTS ARE INVESTIGATED
*Terms in italics are defined in Glossary of Terms
Immediately following receipt of a report, the APS staff will review the referral to determine if there is sufficient justification or basis to investigate the referral:
- Is the subject of the reported referral an adult at risk of harm from abuse, neglect or exploitation?
- Is there reasonable belief the person is vulnerable and in need of protective services?
If criteria are met, the referral is assigned for APS investigation and assessment within 24 hours. The assigned APS worker will begin an immediate investigation if the complaint indicates the possibility of physical danger to the adult.
The investigation determines if the adult is being abused, neglected or exploited and if the adult is actually in need of protective services. Factors considered include:
- Nature, extent and cause
- Examination of evidence
- Identification of perpetrator
- Evaluation of person(s) responsible for care of the vulnerable adults
- capacity for self-care and management of personal and financial affairs.
- Adult’s willingness to consent to receiving protective services and capacity to use available resources.
The investigation will determine if the allegation of abuse, neglect or exploitation is substantiated or unsubstantiated.
Some referrals to APS must be forwarded to other organizations charged with completing the actual investigation:
Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH):
Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital (269-337-3000)
The MDCH Office of Recipient Rights (888-509-7007) investigates allegations of abuse, neglect or exploitation at the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital (KPH). Referrals are received and logged by an APS intake worker and forwarded to the MDCH Office of Recipient Rights. APS is responsible for investigating referrals located at KPH regarding adult residents of KPH when the incident occurred:
- Prior to admission to KPH
- While the resident is on a leave of absence form KPH; or,
- While the resident was off KPH premises in the custody of another person or organization.
Consumer and Industry Services (CIS): Hospitals and Nursing Homes (800-882-6006)
Consumer and Industry Services/Bureau of Regulatory Services (CIS/BRS):
Bureau of Family Service (866-856-0126)
CIS has sole responsibility for investigating incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation of persons residing in a nursing home, home for the aged or when a person is an inpatient in a hospital. APS staff is responsible for investigation of referrals if the alleged incident took place outside of the facility in the community, or occurred inside the facility and the alleged perpetrator is not a facility employee or staff person. Referrals are received and logged by the APS intake worker who advises complainant to make a report to CIS complaint Unit. The complaint coordinator also makes referrals to CIS Complaint Unit.
Law Enforcement
If it is suspected that a vulnerable adult has been a crime victim, the matter will be coordinated with local law enforcement.
Some APS referrals will be coordinated with other governmental or organizational bodies:
Adult Foster Care (AFC) homes
When an individual resides in an adult foster care home, APS coordinates the investigation with the Bureau of Family Services of CIS. (866-856-0126).
Cass County Community Mental Health Authority (CCCMHA) Funded Programs
APS coordinates the investigation with the CCCMHA Recipient Rights Office (269-948-8041) when the vulnerable adult is receiving CCCMHA funded services. In the event a CCCMHA consumer is residing in an AFC home, APS will also coordinate with the Licensing Consultant at CIS.