Page 1

APS Program Operational Plan: Florida

State/Territory/District Florida

Contact Roy Carr

Budget Allocation $19,540,333

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

August 2021 – September 2023 $6,321,959

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 - Proposed Grant 2 

August 2022 – September 2024 $13,218,374

Vision 2025

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.

The Florida Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) Vision:

We are a highly skilled workforce committed to empowering people with complex and 

varied needs to achieve the best outcomes for themselves and their families. In 

collaboration with community stakeholders, we will deliver world class and 

continuously improving service focused on providing the people we serve with the 

level and quality that we would demand and expect for our own families.
APS Program Planning 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 as to 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 meet those 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.

Florida DCF Mission: The mission of the Department of Children and Families is to work 

in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and 

economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and 

resiliency. Ch.20.19 F.S.

Florida APS Mission: We are dedicated to protecting vulnerable adults from further 

abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect and enabling adults with disabilities to 

remain in the community.

Guiding Principles / 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, does it 

have its own set of Guiding Principles or Core Values? 

If so, you may want to adapt it for this program.

Florida DCF/APS Core values: 

To establish a Culture of “We” through engagement and intentional 

collaboration, to enhance program effectiveness to improve the customers’ 

experience, and build a system of accountability, transparency, and alignment. 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 3

Goals for 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.

With a goal to improve increase productivity through creation of efficiencies, we are 

exploring back-office operations that can help support the program’s goal. This 

includes information technology and administration. 

Specifically, a minimum of 80% of all APS team members will be provided high 

performance laptops as deemed appropriate and laptop chargers by December 1, 

2022. This will directly support increased productivity by decreasing unnecessary 

downtime due to aging technology with slower processing times. 

APS is exploring the implementation of a statewide database. This will support APS 

team members by reducing the time it takes to collect the necessary paperwork and 

information from multiple different data sources. Anticipated implementation is set 

by December 2022. 

As it relates to administration support, the program will focus on mitigating permanent 

staff vacancy rates by 25% by hiring OPS or contract staff as deemed appropriate to 

build staffing capacity. The team will work through hiring hubs to accomplish this goal 

by December 1, 2022. Furthermore, APS will address training needs to support team 

member’s professional development in an effort to retain current staff.

Additionally, the program will use funding to directly support prevention and 

supportive services to increase capacity by 75% by December 1, 2022. Increased 

funding will reduce program waitlists, provide additional services to existing cases, 

and serve vulnerable adults from community referrals. 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 4

Targeted Improvement Projects

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA 1 Funds

Inputs

(Resources 

Deployed)

Activities Outputs from 

Investment

Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

As the aging 

population 

grows, staff 

must receive 

training to keep 

up with best 

practices and 

develop 

professionally

to provide 

client services. 

Focused 

utilization of 

grant funds 

for training 

initiatives. 

ARPA 1 Project #1

$500,000

Costs for training and 

development (remote 

and in-person) for 

current and new APS 

employees on 

conducting 

investigations, 

interviews, and 

documentation, 

including costs to 

promote, recruit, 

certify, and provide 

the education 

Ensure 95% of staff 

have successfully 

integrated tools and 

knowledge related 

to their roll by 

completing 

continuing 

education and/or 

pre-service 

education. 

Project will utilize 

ARPA Funding to 

procure and coordinate

in-service training, 

cross-training and 

professional 

development training 

to enhance 

professional 

knowledge, skills and 

abilities to better serve 

vulnerable adults and 

the community.

Well trained staff will decrease 

turnover, increase employee 

knowledge and skills and allow 

for the highest level of service to 

be provided to our vulnerable

adult population on an on-going 

basis. 

Provide 

additional 

needed services 

to clients by 

partnering with 

stakeholders at 

a regional level.

Increase 

capacity to 

augment 

service 

array and 

bridge gaps.

ARPA 1 Project #2

$1,500,000

Partner with Aging 

and Disabled 

Resource Centers and 

Agency for Persons 

with Disabilities 

stakeholders to 

enhance and improve 

the lives of the 

Increase availability 

of wrap around 

services by 50%

including needed 

equipment/services; 

one-time expenses 

for CCDA/HCDA 

within the first year 

of access to funds.

This project will 

increase prevention 

service capacity 

through utilization of 

ARPA Funding to 

procure additional 

Supportive Services or 

one-time expenses.

Increase prevention service 

capacity through utilization of 

ARPA Funding to procure 

additional Supportive Services, 

bridge placements, or one-time 

expenses reducing program 

waitlists, providing additional 

services to existing cases, and/or 

serving vulnerable adults from 

community referrals without 

receipt of Abuse Hotline 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 5

vulnerable adults we 

serve. 

Reports. These funds can help 

bridge gaps between crises and 

secure, long-term placement for 

clients.

Provide quality 

services to 

clients through 

a fully staffed 

workforce.

One-time 

investment 

of contract 

salary: OPS 

Staff and/or

temp 

services as 

needed.

ARPA 1 Project #3

$750,000

Utilize funding to 

support personnel 

cost through payment 

of overtime hours, 

temporary staff, or 

staff augmentation 

and other associated 

personnel cost. 

Decrease turnover 

by 20% in 12 

months. 

For more 

information on 

these are other 

indirect costs, see 

45CFR75.414. 

This project will help 

support staffing levels 

and create an 

experienced work 

force to hire into 

permanent positions

Increase quality of service to 

clients as workforce is fully 

staffed.

Spend more 

time with 

clients by 

reducing time 

spent on 

paperwork.

HQ team to 

lead 

integration 

and roll-out 

with the 

support of 

statewide 

workgroup.

ARPA 1 Project #4

$3,000,000

Improve ease of 

document navigation

through the purchase

of communication and 

technology hardware, 

software, or 

infrastructure.

Increase face-toface time spent with 

clients by 10% 

APS program will select 

a vendor to

development a mobile 

application for frontline workers, followed 

by an APS 

investigations and 

services case 

management system. 

Each field investigator 

will be trained to use 

appropriate devices. 

Funds will be directed 

towards of tools for 

investigator to use, ie: 

eSignature, 

Increased time to serve and 

interact with clients because 

paperwork is automated. 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 6

automation of core API 

and services forms.

Explore ways 

APS can 

contribute to

integrated 

agency efforts

aimed at 

assisting 

customers 

navigate 

systems and 

achieve selfsufficiency. 

Costs 

incurred by 

APS 

associated 

with 

building 

program 

capacity 

and 

awareness. 

ARPA 1 Project #5

$571,959

Increased inclusion of 

elder and vulnerable 

adult needs in 

outreach and service 

offerings. 

Vulnerable adults 

are served by 

intentionally 

braiding together 

multiple program 

offerings.

Ability to track 

vulnerable adult 

impact and needs 

regionally and 

statewide.

Increased ability to connect 

clients with needed services. 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 7

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA 2 Funds

Inputs (Res

ources 

Deployed)

Activities Outputs from 

Investment

Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

To give APS 

professionals 

the opportunity 

to learn and 

apply new 

knowledge and 

skills that can 

help them in 

their job and 

further their 

career. 

Team 

members 

will review 

the 

technical 

merit of all 

content; 

verifying 

content 

accuracy, 

relevance, 

and value to 

educational 

delivery.

ARPA 2 Project #1

$1,500,000

Provide educational 

courses and 

programs that 

enhance 

professional 

knowledge through 

the creation of a

platform and diverse

professional 

development 

resources. 

Create a strong library 

of online content. 

Develop a strategy of 

delivering online 

material that includes 

basic, intermediate, 

and advanced 

material.

Learning information 

or skills that can 

improve efficient task

completion and 

develop team 

members 

professionally. 

Increased staff knowledge will 

increase customer service and 

investment in team members 

professionally.

Ensure timely 

and accurate 

communication 

regarding 

prosecution

and referrals in 

conjunction

with SAO office. 

HQ Team 

to lead 

integration 

and roll-out 

with the 

support of 

statewide 

workgroup.

ARPA 2 Project #2

$2,500,000

Utilize technology to 

improve 

collaboration with 

20 state attorney 

offices and support 

a referral tracking 

process. 

Office of the Attorney 

General will have the 

most up to date 

notifications and 

communication with 

APS. APS will receive 

outcomes from 

referrals made to 

prosecutors’ offices.

Ability to consistently 

ensure timely and 

clear notification and 

track outcomes across 

all judicial circuits. 

Improved collaboration between 

states attorneys’ offices and APS, 

ensuring client needs are best 

served and prosecution is sought 

when appropriate. 

Host a 

collaborative 

program to 

bring together 

people and 

HQ Team to 

lead with 

the support 

ARPA 2 Project #3

$500,000

Florida Hosting 

National Adult 

Increase knowledge of 

national latest best 

practices and 

procedures.

Ability to implement 

increased knowledge 

of national best 

To bring the profession together 

to learn, network, celebrate 

successes, and work through 

challenges. 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 8

ideas. Share 

new research 

findings, work, 

ideas, or 

information.

of statewide 

workgroup.

Protective Services 

Association 

Conference in 2024

practices in Adult 

Protective Services. 

Increase direct 

customer 

interaction by 

reducing time 

spent on 

paperwork.

Continued

build out of 

APS 

mobility 

project and 

case mgmt

system 

started with 

prior 

funding 

including

ARPA 1 

funds.

ARPA 2 Project #4

(continues from 

ARPA 1)

$8,718,374

Improve and 

support work to 

adult protective 

services through the 

purchase of 

communications and 

technology 

hardware, software, 

or infrastructure. 

Increase face-to-face 

time spent with 

clients by 10%.

Extend APS system to 

incorporate and 

streamline 

collaboration between 

APS and partners.

Increased time to serve and 

interact with clients due to 

automation and centralization of 

manual processes. 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 9

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 Training and development

DCF currently seeking budget authority 

through the legislative process $200,000 $200,000 $100,000 $500,000

Project 2

Aging and Disabled 

stakeholder partnerships

DCF currently seeking budget authority 

through the legislative process $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $1,500,000

Project 3 Personnel costs

DCF currently seeking budget authority 

through the legislative process $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $750,000

Project 4

Communications and 

technology hardware, 

software, or infrastructure

DCF currently seeking budget authority 

through the legislative process $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $3,000,000

Project 5

Increased inclusion of 

elder needs in project 

Hope Florida.

DCF currently seeking budget authority 

through the legislative process $200,000 $200,000 $171,959 $571,959

Total $2,150,00 $2,150,00 $2,021,959 $6,321,959
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 10

ARPA 2- Second Grant Allocation - August 2022 September 2024

Description

2023 

Period 1

2023 

Period 2

2024 

Period 1

2024 

Period 2 Total

Project 1 Professional Development Will seek budget authority as appropriate $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $1,500,000

Project 2

Communication with 20 

State Attorney Offices Will seek budget authority as appropriate $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $2,500,000

Project 3 Hosting NAPSA in 2024 Will seek budget authority as appropriate $250,000 $250,000 0 $500,000

Project 4

Technology and 

Automation Will seek budget authority as appropriate $3,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,718,374 $8,718,374

Total $4,750,000 $4,750,000 $3,718,374 $13,218,374

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 $2,150,000 $2,150,000 $6,771,959 $4,750,000 $3,718,374 $19,540,333

Categories may include:

• Development Operational Plan 

• Staffing (include FTE or Consulting Agreements)

• Training

• Technology Upgrade 

• Equipment

• Administrative Costs

• Transportation

• Wrap-around services