Adult Protective Services (APS) Branch

Adult Protective Services Branch ensures the safety and stability of Kentucky's vulnerable adults. The Adult Protective Services Branch is responsible for ensuring the protection from abuse, neglect or exploitation for adults with a mental or physical disability and victims of domestic violence across the commonwealth. Services provided to adults are on a voluntary basis unless there has been a determination by the court that the adult is unable to make an informed choice.

The branch's main purpose is to support the service regions that provide adult protective and general adult services through case consultation, development of standards of practice and development of data systems. The branch is committed to keeping vulnerable adults safe in the least restrictive living arrangement.

Reporting Abuse - Protective Services - Guardianship - Counseling

Abuse is when a person hurts or injures another person physically or mentally. It does not have to be deliberate or intentional.

Any person who believes that an adult has been abused, neglected or exploited must report it to the local office of the Department for Community Based Services' (DCBS) Division of Protection and Permanency (click here for regional map). DCBS staff will work with local law enforcement and other agencies to investigate the report and provide needed protective services if accepted by the adult.

Adult Protective Services is responsible for investigating and providing preventive services to individuals that are reported to be the alleged victim of abuse, neglect or exploitation according to KRS 209.020(7,8 and 15).

The preventive services may include but are not limited to assisting the adult with a protective need in securing appropriate community or institutional placement, in-home supports, medical treatment, crisis assistance and guardianship.

Adult Protective Services (APS) Branch
(502) 564-7043

Elder Abuse Awareness

Link to the Elder Abuse Web page

Frequently Asked Questions about Adult Abuse

Domestic Violence Awareness

Link to the Domestic Violence Web page

If you have gone through normal channels and your problem is still not resolved, you may get help from the Office of the Ombudsman.

Call (800) 372-2973 or (800) 627-4702 (TTY)

Click here to go to the Office of the Ombudsman's Web site