APS Program Operational Plan: Washington

State/Territory/District Washington State

Contact Kathy Morgan

Budget Allocation ARPA 1 - $1,799,233 

ARPA 2 - $3,761,957

Total: $5,561,190

Timeline AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA)OF 2021 - Grant 1

August 2021 – September 2023

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 - Proposed Grant 2 

August 2022 – September 2024

Vision2025

The Vision clarifies what your ARPA Grant 1 Program 

aspires to become and to achieve. It is designed to 

inspire by providing a picture of where the program 

is heading in 3-5 years.

Note: If you are a part of a larger organization, does 

it have its own future vision? If so, you may want to 

adapt it to your own program.

Department of Social and Health Services Vision: People are healthy, People are safe,

People are supported, and Taxpayer resources are guarded.

Aging and Long-term Support Administration Vision: Seniors and people with 

disabilities living with good health, independence, dignity and control over the 

decisions that affect their lives.

Adult Protective Services Vision: Vulnerable adults live free of harm with appropriate 

protective services in place and accountability of perpetrators.

Page 1 
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 2

Mission Statement

Mission and Values statements can be an effective 

tool to educate the public; state and local 

government officials; state government agencies; 

provider agencies; and service recipients asto what 

the Adult Protective Services is and how they do 

business.

Mission Statements answer four key questions 

about your APS Program:

• Who do we serve?

• What needs do they have that we can fulfil?

• How do we meetthose needs?How do we 

make the clients' lives better?

• Does it link directly to the Vision Statement?

Note: if you are a part of a larger organization, does 

it have its Mission Statement? If so, you may want 

to adapt it for your own program.

Department of Social and Health Services Mission: As a department we are tied 

together by a single mission: to transform lives.

Aging and Long-Term Support Administration Mission: To transform lives by promoting 

choice, independence, and safety through innovative services.

Adult Protective Services Mission: To transform lives by promoting choice, 

independence, and safety through innovative services.
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 3

We value clientself-determinationand the professional expertise of our APS 

colleagues, while working to prevent and end harm

GuidingPrinciples / Core Values

Guiding Principles or Core Values guide internal 

processes and client interactions for your APS 

Program.

Note: if you are a part of a larger organization, doesit 

have its own set of Guiding Principles or Core Values? 

If so, you may want to adapt it for this program.
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 4

Goalsfor Program Improvement

These are goals to be obtained in order to move your APS 

program from current practices to your Vision.

Now that you have new funds targeted for your work with 

APS, what can be enhanced or improved in your current 

program? These goals must meet the APS Formula Grant 

requirements. It is recommended these goals become 

SMART goals (specific, measurable, actionable, and 

timely).

Using the results of your Environmental Scan, identify key 

issues that need to be addressed during this planning 

cycle.

These are goals to move your APS Program from current 

practices to your Vision #1.

Our Adult Protective Services goal isto protect Vulnerable Adultsfrom abuse, 

neglect, self-neglect, abandonment, and exploitation by:

• Conducting objective,timely, and thorough investigations

• Assisting Vulnerable Adultsto access appropriate servicesin accordance 

with statute, rules, policy, and client consent

• Networking and coordinating with othersto serve Vulnerable Adults; and

• Educating Vulnerable Adults and the community about abuse, neglect, selfneglect, abandonment, financial exploitation, and protective services.

Washington’s State Plan on Aging 2018 – 2022

• Goal 1: Promote person-centered home and community-based services.

• Goal 2: Increase the safety of adults who are vulnerable.

• Goal 3: Improve quality in all long-term services and supports.

• Goal 4: Expand and strengthen existing services and supports that preventor 

delay entry into Medicaid funded LTSS.

• Goal 5: Improve health status by empowering older people and people with 

disabilities to stay healthy and active through expansion of evidence based 

healthy aging programs and improve health outcomesthrough coordination 

of care through integrated health and long term supports and services.

• Goal 6: Promote equity, diversity, and inclusion practices.
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 5

Program Improvement Projects Based on our SWOT analysis conducted as our environmentalscan, we have chosen

the following these program improvement projectsto focus on:

• Increasing numberof reports needing investigation is the contextfor hiring 6 

case aides per APS region to support investigators.

• High quality staff recruitment and recruitment shortages is the context for 

hiring an APS HQ staff memberto review APS and HR hiring practices and 

core competenciessought by hiring managers and to develop a hiring guide 

and training for managers.

• Increasing complexity of reports needing investigation is the context for 

developing specific training modules(both in person and virtual) to support 

staff in unique circumstances.

• Our IT systemand the increasing complexity of investigations is the context 

for continuing to support a business analyst position.

• Staff recruitment and retention is the context for continuing the 

appointment of 3 additional administrative assistant positions established 

with COVID funding to support regional staff in clerical needsrelated to 

hiring and onboarding staff.

• Increasing complexity of reports needing investigation is the context for 

continued spending on direct goods and services for alleged victims as 

established by COVID fundings and continued through ARPA1 funding.
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 6

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resources 

Deployed) Activities Outputsfrom Investment Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

ARPA 1 Project 1 

Program 

evaluation to 

identify best 

policies, 

practices, and 

structure to 

support the APS 

program

$308,845 forthe 

2-year evaluation

Executive 

leadership time

Project 

management staff 

time

Identify contractor

Develop and sign 

contract

Develop evaluation 

questions

Meetquarterly with 

research team

Report with 

recommendations 

regarding APS program 

(organization structure, 

policies, and procedures)

Stakeholder (internal and 

external) focus groups

September2021, meet with 

potential contractors and 

identify contractor

October 2021, finalize 

contract

November 2021, submit 

background documentation 

to contractors

Improved staff 

satisfaction

Improved 

organizational 

structure, policy 

guidance, procedural 

guidance for APS 

program

December 2021, kick off 

meeting with contractor 

and executive leadership
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 7

ARPA 1 Project 2

High-quality

staffrecruitment 

to increase 

depth and 

breadth of QA 

program for APS 

investigations

$526,000 (salary

and benefits) for 2 

QA positions for 2 

years

APS

knowledgeable 

staff

Supervisory time

Post and hire

positions

Develop qualitative 

QA questions

Conductrolling QA 

assessments

Provide feedback to 

regionalstaff asQA is 

completed

Discuss findings with 

executive leadership 

and develop training 

plan to address 

deficiencies

Ongoing reports on

qualitative measures of 

high-quality APS 

investigations

Standard definition and 

understanding of “highquality” APS 

investigation

Training plan for new 

and existing staff on 

“high-quality” APS 

investigation protocols 

(to be developed)

December2021, post job

and interview candidates

January 2022, hire 

candidates and train

January 2022, approveQA 

questions

February 2022, begin QA 

review of APS cases region 

by region. Provide feedback 

to regions as review is 

completed

June 2022, discussfindings 

from QA process with 

executive leadership

July 2022, develop training

plan/approach to address 

deficiencies

Improved

understanding of 

“high-quality” APS 

investigations

Improved 

understanding of 

regional/office/unit 

differences in APS 

investigations

Improvedtraining 

plan for new and 

existing APS staff

Increased staff 

satisfaction

Increased public 

satisfaction with APS 

investigations
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 8

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resources 

Deployed) Activities Outputsfrom Investment Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

ARPA 1 Project 3 

Research and 

Data Analysis 

partnership to 

understand 

alleged victim 

population and 

demographics

$100,000 (MOU

agreement with 

RDA)

Executive 

leadership time

RDA staff time

Draft MOU between 

APS and RDA

Sign MOU

Develop research 

questions

Meet monthly with 

research team

Report on APS client risk 

factors for maltreatment

Report on client 

sociodemographic 

indicators from 

Medicare/Medicaid 

linked datasets

July 2021, sign MOU with 

RDA

Monthly, meet with RDA to 

discuss research questions 

and review data/reporting

Improved 

understanding of APS 

client population

Improved 

understanding of APS 

risk factors

Increased ability to 

serve vulnerable adult 

population through 

improved services

Improved targeting of 

outreach and 

engagement activities

ARPA 1 Project 4

Wrap around 

services for 

alleged victims

$79,396 to

purchase goods 

and services

APS staff time to 

manage and track 

contracts

Identify new

contractors for 

services

Renew existing 

service contracts

Monitor contracts for 

completion

Contracts with service

providers to cover most 

of Washington state 

counties

July 2021, review contracts

for expiration and extend as 

necessary

Fall/Winter 2021, identify 

new contractors and 

services beneficial to 

alleged victims

Fall/Winter 2021, review 

contracting process for APS 

and identify necessary

reworks

Decreased recurrence

of multiple reports for 

alleged victims

Increased connections 

within communities to 

essentialservices

Improved staff 

satisfaction

Improved access to 

necessary services for 
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 9

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resources 

Deployed) Activities Outputsfrom Investment Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

alleged victims 

experiencing threats 

to health, safety, and 

wellbeing

ARPA 1 Project 5 

Tribal

partnership 

development

and expansion

$50,000

$10,000 per 

partnership (5 

Tribes total)

TA support from 

APS program staff 

Interested Tribal 

partners

Develop application 

materials for Tribal 

use

Presentmaterials to 

Tribal partners

Review applications

Contract with 

interested Tribes

Approve invoices and 

obtain reports from 

Tribes

Enrolled Tribal 

vulnerable adults served

August 2021, develop 

application materials

September2021, present 

opportunity to Tribal 

partners

October 2021, accept 

applications from 

interested Tribes

December2021, begin 

contracting process

January 2022, contracts 

begin

Monthly ongoing – check in 

with grantees to discuss TA 

or supports needed.

Receive invoices regarding 

work performed.

Improved reporting 

and communication 

between Tribal 

entities and APS
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 10

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resources 

Deployed) Activities Outputsfrom Investment Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

Every 6 months, collect 

data on number of clients

served for reporting

ARPA 1 Project 6 

HQ staff training 

to improve staff 

retention and 

decrease

reliance on 

external experts 

$20,000

HQ staff time

Virtual training 

opportunities

Identify relevant, 

available trainings for 

APS HQ staff

Sign staff up for 

relevant trainings

Increased efficiency for 

HQ staff to support 

regions (including: 

project management, 

adult learning)

Improved workforce 

knowledge in best 

practices related to 

project management and 

adult learning techniques

August 2021, identify 

relevant training 

opportunities

December2021, 

(dependingon availability) 

begin HQ staff training 

enrollments

Ongoing – as time permits,

enroll HQ staff in relevant 

trainings

Increased staff 

satisfaction

Increased

collaboration between 

field and HQ staff

Decreased need to 

rely on partners 

external to APS for 

relevant skillsets

ARPA 1 Project 7 

ADvancing

States project

for Washington 

staffing model to 

improve staff 

satisfaction and 

improve alleged 

victim

experience with 

APS

$30,000 for 

standalone project

Advancing states 

project manager

APS staff time

Contract with 

contractor

Meet with contractor 

to discuss WA model 

and other programs

Continue to meet 

with contractor 

monthly to ensure 

completion

Report on staffing model 

in WA in comparison to 

other programs

January 2022, contract with 

contractor / meet with 

contractor to discuss 

project. Contractor draft 

survey

February 2022, contractor 

identifies case load and 

staffing model data

March 2022, deploy multistate survey, analyze results 

April 2022, summarize and

share findings

Knowledge of staff 

forecasting model 

best practices from 

around the nation

Improved 

understanding of WA 

staffing model and 

long-term suggestions
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 11

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resources 

Deployed) Activities Outputsfrom Investment Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

Discussfinalreport 

and findings April 2022, develop 

interview protocol for staff 

and interview staff

May 2022, shadow APS 

staff

July 2022, summarize data 

to provide report

ARPA 1 Project 8 

Headquarters 

(HQ) staff to 

support regions 

in projects 

including

partner outreach 

(SHPC) and 

critical incident 

stress 

management 

(CISM) for APS

staff

$685,032 (salary 

and benefits HQ 

SHPCs and CISM)

APS

knowledgeable 

staff

Supervisory time

APS regional staff 

time

Review workload and 

expectations with 

staff memberin each 

position

Meet monthly with 

staff to discuss 

progress, ideas, and 

goals

Identify new 

community partners 

to outreach

Identify hiring 

events/careerfairs of 

interest for potential 

APS staff

Number of services 

contracts for alleged 

victims

Number of regularly 

scheduled meetings with 

APS external partners 

Number of outreach 

events to recruit new 

APS staff

Number of presentations 

on CISM-related topics 

Number and type of APS 

marketing efforts 

October 2023, continue to 

fund 3 HQ SHPC positions 

and region 2 CISM position 

established through COVID 

funding

Monthly, meet with HQ 

SHPCs and regional 

leadership to discuss 

progress and roadblocks

Improved 

communication 

between regional staff 

and HQ

Increase staff 

satisfaction

Improved

relationships between 

APS and community 

programs

Increased number of 

high-quality applicants 

to APS program 

positions
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 12

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resources 

Deployed) Activities Outputsfrom Investment Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

Number of qualified APS 

applicants to open

positions

Increased access to 

community resources

for alleged victims

ARPA 2 Project 

1: Hire case aide 

positions to 

support 

administrative 

task completion 

for

investigations 

and improve APS 

experience from 

the alleged

victim’s

perspective

$3,024,000

$80,000 per year, 

per position 

(salary and 

benefits), 2-year 

appointment

Staff supervisory 

support

Training plan

Develop job 

description and 

posting

Recruit positions in 

regions (18 staff to 

be divided among 3 

regions)

Train staff

Review data on 

targeted 

improvementmetrics

Improve case closure 

metric

Improve 90+ day good 

cause metric

Improve timeliness of 

protective services

/referrals rendered to 

alleged victims

Reduce recurrence of 

investigations

Improve staff satisfaction 

by 25%

December 2022, each 

region has hired 6 case aide 

positions

March 2023, case aides are 

fully integrated into 

investigation units

Decreased staff 

turnover

Improved staff 

satisfaction

Improved timeliness

of referrals and 

protective servicesfor 

alleged victims

Improved 

communications 

between APS and 

community 

organizations and 

partners

Increased access to 

community resources

for alleged victims

APRA 2 Project

2: Investigator 

(SSS3) hiring 

review to 

improve and

$144,000

$140,000 per year 

(salary and

Develop job 

description and 

posting

Stabilize staffturnoverto 

20% or below statewide

Creation of standardized 

hiring plan for all regions

December 2023, all APS 

hiring managers use hiring 

plan

Decreased staff 

turnover
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 13

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resources 

Deployed) Activities Outputsfrom Investment Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

standardize 

statewide hiring 

practices

benefits), 1 year 

appointment

APS and HRD staff 

time to provide 

feedback

HQ staff time for 

supervisory 

oversight

Executive 

leadership time 

for guidance and 

approval

Recruit position

Fullreview of current 

hiring policies and 

practices

Develop standardized 

hiring plan for all APS 

managers to utilize

December 2023, job 

candidates have 

consistency when applying 

to APS positions across the 

state

Beyond – regularly review 

of implementation of hiring 

plan to update as needed

Improved staff 

satisfaction

Increased consistency 

in hiring practices 

across the state

Increased consistency 

of experience with 

APS staff from the 

alleged victim 

perspective

Decreased number of 

transfers, improved 

experience from 

alleged victim 

perspective

ARPA 2 Project 

3: Virtual and inperson 

standardized 

training on 

substance 

abuse, mental 

health, and field 

safety for 

investigators to

improve

$70,000 for 

content 

development and 

licensing

Training unit time 

for guidance and 

feedback

Identify contractor

Contract for work

Develop content for 

virtual and in-person 

training with training 

program managers

Pre/posttraining scoring 

improvements for staff 

attending virtual and inperson trainings

Creation of APS-specific 

training on mental 

health, substance abuse, 

enhanced safety training, 

and other emergent

December 2022, contract 

signed

August 2023, all content 

developed

September 2023, training 

plan for new/current staff 

developed

Decreased staff 

turnover, increased 

staff retention

Improved staff 

satisfaction

Improved staff safety

Enhanced 

understanding of
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 14

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resources 

Deployed) Activities Outputsfrom Investment Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

outcomes for 

alleged victims

Executive 

leadership time 

and signoff

Executive leadership 

review

Deploy training to 

staff and develop 

ongoing training plan 

for new staff

issues dealt with by 

investigators

safety from the 

investigator 

perspective

Improved outcomes 

for high-concern 

alleged victims 

through swift and 

appropriate action by 

staff

ARPA 2 Project

4: 

Administrative 

Assistant hiring 

and clerical 

support 

continuation

$192,000

$60,000 per 

position (salary 

and benefits), 1 

year continuation 

appointment

3 employedAPS 

administrative 

staff

Staff are preexisting 

in APS (will post and 

hire if positions are 

vacant)

Review hiring 

timelines atregular 

monthly intervals

Shortened timeframe for 

hiring and onboarding 

new staff by two weeks 

December 2022, review 

work of administrative 

assistant positions and 

identify new projects or 

supports they may offer the 

region (continue check-ins 

every 6 months)

Improved new hire 

experience

Decreased vacancy 

rates for staff 

investigator positions

Increased consistency 

hiring practices 

amongst managers to 

alleviate liability

Benefit to clients

ARPA 2 Project

5: Business

Analyst position 

to support

$288,000 over 

two-yearperiod

Review 

enhancements made

An additional IT system 

development cycle

Monthly ongoing, meet 

with developers and APS

Quicker turn around 

for enhancements to 

online system
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 15

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resources 

Deployed) Activities Outputsfrom Investment Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

testing of APS 

investigation 

tracking system 

continuation

(salary and 

benefits$140,000)

Supervisory 

support

IT team and 

development 

team support

Discuss planned 

enhancements per 

year (planning 

ahead)

Develop timeline and 

plan to deploy 

enhancements

Build / test 

enhancements

Shorter timeframes 

between proposal and 

enhancement 

implementation

Increasedmetrics 

available for reporting 

due to additional capture 

sources

specialiststo discuss 

enhancements

Higher utilization of IT 

system for line staff 

and supervisors

Clearly communicated 

and understood 

process from 

suggestion to 

implementation

Increased staff 

satisfaction with 

technology available

ARPA 2 Project

6: Wrap around 

services for 

alleged victims

$43,957 to be

used for 

contracting and 

direct goods 

purchases

APS staff time to 

manage and track 

contracts

Identify new

contractors for 

services

Renew existing 

service contracts

Monitor contracts for 

completion

Contracts with service

providers to cover most 

of Washington state 

counties

August 2022, review

contracts for expiration and 

extend as necessary 

(ongoing every 6 months 

throughout)

December2022, identify 

new contractors and 

services beneficial to 

alleged victims

Decreased recurrence

of multiple reports for 

alleged victims

Increased connections 

within communities to 

essentialservices

Improved staff 

satisfaction

Improved access to 

necessary services for 

alleged victims

experiencing threats
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 16

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resources 

Deployed) Activities Outputsfrom Investment Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

to health,safety, and 

wellbeing
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 17

Budget / Spending Plan for ARPA funds – Semi-annually for 3 to 5 years

Budget/Spending Plan will be used to enhance, improve, and expand the ability of APS workers to investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and 

exploitation. Be sure to use separate line items for each major improvement project.

Operational Plan Submission due by January 31, 2022. 

ARPA 1 – First Grant Allocation: August 2021 – September 2023

Description 2022 Period 1 2022 Period 2 2023 Period 1 2023 Period 2 Total

Project 1 APS program

evaluation $77,211.25 $77,211.25 $77,211.25 $77,211.25 $308,845.00

Project 2 

Increase depth and

breadth ofQA 

program 

Indirect

$127,500

$4,000

$127,500

$4,000

$127,500

$4,000

$127,500

$4,000

$510,000

$16,000

Project 3 Research and Data

Analysis partnership $50,000 $50,000 $100,000

Project 4 

Increase goods and 

services available for 

alleged victims

$19,839 $19,839 $19,839 $19,839 $79,356

Project 5 Tribal partnerships 

expansion $25,000 $25,000 $50,000

Project 6 Staff training $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $20,000
APS ProgramPlanning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 18

Project 7 Advancing States

staffing model $15,000 $15,000 $30,000

Project 8 

HQ staffing to support 

regions

Indirect

$332,516

$10,000

$332,516

$10,000

$665,032

$20,000

Total $273,550.25 $273,550.25 $626,066.25 $626,066.25 $1,799,233.00

ARPA 2 – Second Grant Allocation: August 2022 – September2024

Description 2023 Period 1 2023 Period 2 2024 Period 1 2024 Period 2 Total

Project 1 Case aide positions

Indirect

$720,000

$36,000

$720,000

$36,000

$720,000

$36,000

$720,000

$36,000

$2,880,000

$144,000

Project 2 

Investigator core 

competenciesreview

Indirect

$70,000

$2,000

$70,000

$2,000

$140,000

$4,000

Project 3 Virtual and in-person

training development $35,000 $35,000 $70,000

Project 4 Administrative support

Indirect

$90,000

$6,000

$90,000

$6,000

$180,000

$12,000

Project 5 

Business analyst 

position

Indirect

$70,000

$2,000

$70,000

$2,000

$70,000

$2,000

$70,000

$2,000

$280,000

$8,000

Project 6 Goods and services for

alleged victims $10,989.25 $10,989.25 $10,989.25 $10,989.25 $43,957

Total $945,989.25 $945,989.25 $934,989.25 $934,989.25 $3,761,957.00

Summary of ARPA 1 + ARPA 2 Expense

2022 Period 1 2022 Period 2 2023 Period 1 2023 Period 2 2024 Period 1 2024 Period 2 Total

Summary $273,550.25 $273,550.25 $1,572,055.50 $1,572,055.50 $934,989.25 $934,989.25 $5,561,190.00