1. NAME OF PROGRAM: Adult Protective Services (APS)

2. PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Article 6 of Chapter 108A of the North Carolina General Statutes requires that county departments of social services perform certain activities for disabled adults who are alleged to be abused, neglected or exploited and in need of protective services.

3. APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Anyone who has reason to believe that a disabled adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited should contact the Cabarrus County DSS to report the information, Reports should be directed to Adult Services Intake during agency work hours (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Reports made after hours should be directed to 704 788-3108.

4. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. The individual must be a disabled adult. The statute defines a disabled adult as "any person 18 years of age or over or any lawfully emancipated minor who is present in the state of North Carolina and who is physically or mentally incapacitated due to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or autism; organic brain damage caused by advanced age or other physical degeneration in connection therewith; or due to conditions incurred at any age which are the result of accident, organic drain damage, mental or physical illness, or continued consumption or adsorption of substances.
2. The individual is abused, neglected or exploited. This can include actions by the caretaker or the individual in the case of self-neglect.
3. The individual is in need of protective services. According to statute "a disabled adult shall be in need of protective services if that person, due to his physical or mental incapacity, is unable to perform or obtain for himself essential services and if that person is without able, responsible, and willing persons to perform or obtain for him essential services."

5. OTHER PROGRAM DETAILS: Complaint reports shall be evaluated of abuse, neglect or exploitation of disabled adults living in Nursing, Combination, Residential Facilities or Adult Care Homes where the specific name of the patient or resident is given. This includes reports on residents who are placed in Cabarrus County from other Counties. The agency can evaluate only complaints received on persons living in the Cabarrus County area. Complaints on persons who live outside of Cabarrus County may be accepted and will be passed along to the individual's county of resident or location. The name of the individual making the complaint is kept confidential unless a court requires that the identity be revealed. Persons who make complaints are protected from civil or criminal liability unless the individual acted in bad faith or with a malicious purpose.

6. DATE OF INFORMATION: June 15, 2001