APS Program Operational Plan: Wisconsin

State/Territory/District Wisconsin

Contact Lela Yang (Lela.Yang@DHS.Wisconsin.Gov) 920-510-9125

Budget Allocation $4,691,457

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

August 2021 – September 2023 $1,517,845

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 – Proposed Grant 2 

August 2022 – September 2024 $3,173,612

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.

Wisconsin’s vision is to expand our capacity & reach while strengthening the

infrastructure of Adult Protective Services (APS) system to better serve all communities

within our state.

Page 1 
APS Program Planning Template: Wisconsin 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.

The Wisconsin Adult Protective Services (APS) network protects adults of all ages who

have experienced, are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, and

exploitation. The role of the state APS Team is to meet the needs of the frontline

network. We will meet those needs by developing statewide training standards,

providing technical/financial/programmatic support, and by implementing a new

database system to enhance service delivery.

Guiding Principles / Core Values

Guiding Principles or Core Values guide internal

processes and client interactionsfor 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?

Wisconsin Adult Protective Services’ Guiding Principles and Core Values closely follow

some of the principles outlined by Georgia Anetzberger.

FREEDOM OVER SAFETY: The client has a right to choose to live at risk

of harm, providing s/he is capable of making that choice, harms no one and

commits no crime.
APS Program Planning Template: Wisconsin Page 3

If so, you may want to adapt it for this program. SELF DETERMINATION: The client has a right to personal choices and

decisions until such time as s/he delegates or the court grants the responsibility to

someone else.

PARTICIPATE IN DECISION-MAKING: The client has a right to receive

information to make informed decisions and to participate in all decision-making

affecting his/her circumstances to the extent that s/he is able.

LEAST RESTRICTIVE ALTERNATIVE: The client has a right to service

alternativesthat maximize choice and minimize lifestyle disruption.

PRIMACY OF THE ADULT: The worker has a responsibility to serve the

client – not the community concerned about safety, or the landlord concerned about

crime or the family concerned about finances.

CONFIDENTIALITY: The client has a right to privacy and secrecy.

BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT: If there is evidence that the client is making a 

reasoned choice, the worker has a responsibility to see that the benefit of the doubt

is in the client’s favor.

DO NO HARM: The worker has a responsibility to take no action that places

the client at greater risk.

AVOIDANCE OF BLAME: The worker has a responsibility to understand

the origins of any maltreatment and commit no action which will antagonize the

perpetrator and so reduce the chances of terminating the maltreatment.
APS Program Planning Template: Wisconsin Page 4

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.

• Improve statewide APS case management by identifying, purchasing, and

implementing a new system within the next 2-3 years. (While adhering to

federal, state, and county rules/regulations.)

• Increase staff capacity at the Department of Health Services (DHS)

• Identify and provide APS statewide training to enhance support, professional

development, and service delivery to clients.

• Provide financial support to counties to expand services.

• Increase prevention and awareness efforts
APS Program Planning Template: Wisconsin Page 5

Targeted Improvement Projects

Using the results of your Environmental Scan and PESTEL,

describe the targeted improvements and enhancements

needed for this planning cycle.

Your improvements should be concrete, measurable, and

complete.

WHY is this improvement needed?

What Purpose or NEED will it fill?

What RESOURCES will be used?

What ACTIVITIES will it entail?

What are the direct OUTPUTS of the activities? What are

the intended results and how will clients benefit?

See example on next page.

See table below.
APS Program Planning Template: Wisconsin Page 10

Purpose/Needs

to be filled by

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resour

ces Deployed)

Activities Outputsfrom

Investment

Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

Financial support

to counties to

enhance/expand

/support APS

services

$487,845 ARPA 1

Project 1 

Elder Adult at

Risk Agency

Case

Management

CATEGORY 1:

Technological Support

CATEGORY 2:

Goods/Services

CATEGORY 3:

Emergency/Alternativ

e Housing

CATEGORY 4: Uses as

Approved by DHS

Program Managers

Increased financial

support for county APS

units.

Retaining APS

workers/Supervisorsthrough the

COVID crisis. Maintaining

institutional knowledge in the

APS network.

APS

standardization

in data

collection,

reporting, and

identifying

trends.

$500,000 ARPA 1

Project 2

APS System

Improvement

a. Business Analyst

$100,000

b. Project Manager

(Procurement)

$100,000

c. Purchase or

Contract an

application/license/et

c. $300,000

Identify and determine

needs/wants of new

database system.

Transparency and real live data

across the state on APS matters.
APS Program Planning Template: Wisconsin Page 10

Purpose/Needs

to be filled by

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resour

ces Deployed)

Activities Outputsfrom

Investment

Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

Develop ongoing

and pertinent

training

materialsto 

statewide

partners.

$200,000 ARPA 1

Project 3

Training

a. Contracting with

UW-Green Bay

for content

development

b. ERI contract to 

host online 

training modules

Develop curriculum

and identify key

training needs

throughout the state.

Standardize training statewide.

Expand capacity

at the state level 

to provide

services to tribal

nations

$80,000 ARPA 1

Project 4

Tribal Nations

Partnerships

a. Development 

of MOU’s for 

counties with 

APS

b. Training about

the 

investigations

c. Consultation

Work with tribal 

adult protective 

services to better 

serve tribal elders 

who experience

abuse, neglect, and

financial exploitation.

Provide ongoing and sustainable

support to tribes in Wisconsin 

regarding APS matters.

Expand capacity

at the state level

to manage new

federal grants

$250,000 ARPA 1

Project 5

Grant Manager

a. Contract for 

Manager to 

oversee ARPA 

and COVID-19

grants

Oversee reporting,

implementation, and

best practices for the

new federal grants.

Provide support to counties,

while adhering to federal

guidelines and program

implementation.
APS Program Planning Template: Wisconsin Page 10

Purpose/Needs

to be filled by

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resour

ces Deployed)

Activities Outputsfrom

Investment

Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

Financial 

support

to counties to 

enhance/expand

/support APS

services

$1,061,007 ARPA 2

Project 1

Elder Adult at 

Risk Agency 

Case 

Management

CATEGORY 1:

Technological 

Support 

CATEGORY 2:

Goods/Services

CATEGORY 3:

Emergency/Alternati

ve Housing

CATEGORY 4: Uses as 

Approved by DHS 

Program Managers

Increase capacity to

support older adults 

and adults at risk.

Retaining APS

workers/Supervisors through the 

COVID crisis. Maintaining

institutional knowledge in the

APS network.

APS

standardization 

in data

collection,

reporting, and 

identifying 

trends

$300,000 ARPA 2

Project 2

APS System 

Improvement

a. Training $100,000

c. Maintaining 

application/license/e

t

Provide database

training to statewide 

partners and

maintain/update

training materials.

Transparency and real live data

across the state on APS matters.
APS Program Planning Template: Wisconsin Page 10

Purpose/Needs

to be filled by

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resour

ces Deployed)

Activities Outputsfrom

Investment

Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

Develop 

ongoing and 

pertinent 

training 

materials to 

statewide 

partners.

$600,000 ARPA 2

Project 3 

Training

A. Contracting with 

UW-Green Bay for 

content 

development

$100,000

B. ERI annual system 

maintenance

$300,000

C. 

Education/Preventio

n/Awareness 

$200,000

Develop curriculum 

and identify key 

training needs 

throughout the 

state.

Standardize training statewide.

Expand capacity

at the state level 

to provide

services to tribal 

nations

$80,000 ARPA 2

Project 4

Tribal Nations

Partnerships

a. Development 

of MOU’s for 

counties with 

APS

investigations

b. Training about 

the tribes 

c. Consultation

Work with tribal 

adult

protective services to 

better serve tribal

elders who 

experience

abuse, neglect, and

financial 

exploitation.

Provide ongoing and sustainable

support to tribes in Wisconsin 

regarding APS matters.
APS Program Planning Template: Wisconsin Page 10

Purpose/Needs

to be filled by

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resour

ces Deployed)

Activities Outputsfrom

Investment

Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

Department of

Justice Elder 

Abuse Hotline

Service

$132,605

(2022-2023)

ARPA 2

Project 5

Elder Abuse 

Hotline DOJ

Support staff salary

and benefits.

Provide ongoing

support for the DOJ 

hotline.

Extend, as long as possible, this

valuable service.
APS Program Planning Template: Wisconsin Page 10

Purpose/Needs

to be filled by

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resour

ces Deployed)

Activities Outputsfrom

Investment

Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

Expand capacity

at the state level

to strengthen

the APS team

$1,000,000 ARPA 2

Project 6

Increasing

Capacity at DHS

through

(Contracted

Positions)

a. Grant Manager

$200,000

- Contract for

Managerto oversee

ARPA and COVID-19

grants

b. APS Training

Development and

Conference Planner

$200,000

c. Tribal $200,000

- Work with tribal

adult protective

servicesto better

serve tribal elders

who experience

abuse, neglect, and

financial exploitation

d. Data System and

Analytics Manager

$200,000

Residential Care

Facilities

Response/CrossDivisional 

Coordination/Liaison

$200,000

Divide APS workload

into specified and

dedicated positions.

Maintain comprehensive APS

support at all levels
APS Program Planning Template: Wisconsin Page 12

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

Elder Adult at

Risk Agency Case

Management

$121,962 $121,961 $121,961 $121,961 $487,845

Project 2

APS System

Improvement $125,000 $125,000 $125,000 $125,000 $500,000

Project 3 Training $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $200,000

Project 4

Tribal Nations

Partnerships $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $80,000

Project 5 Grant Manager $62,500 $62,500 $62,500 $62,500 $250,000

Total $379,462 $379,461 $379,461 $379,461 $1,517,845
APS Program Planning Template: Wisconsin Page 13

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

Elder Adult at Risk

Agency Case

Management $265,251.75 $265,251.75 $265,251.75 $265,251.75 $1,061,007

Project 2

APS System

Improvement $75,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000 $300,000

Project 3 Training $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $600,000

Project 4

Tribal Nations

Partnerships $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $80,000

Project 5

Elder Abuse Hotline

DOJ $66,302.50 $66,302.50 $132,605

Project 6

Increasing Capacity

at DHS through

(Contracted

Positions) $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $1,000,000

Total $826,554.25 $826,554.25 $760,251.75 $760,251.75 $3,173,612

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 $379,462 $379,461 $1,206,015.25 $1,206,015.25 $760,251.75 $760,251.75 $4,691,457