APS Program Operational Plan: Rhode Island

State/Territory/District Rhode Island; RI Office of Healthy Aging (OHA)

Contact Mary Ladd

Budget Allocation $1,995,000.00

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

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.

To ensure the safety of older Rhode Islanders so that they are provided with the 

opportunity to live with dignity, feel safe in their homes and communities, and know 

that their needs will be met.

Page 1 
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 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 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.

RI APS strives to consistently meet the needs of older adults who are reported to be 

abused, neglected, financially exploited, or who are self-neglecting so that they can 

enhance their ability to feel safe through protective measures and resources while 

maintaining their independence and rights to self-determination.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 3

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.

• Promotion: Raise awareness about RI APS and elder abuse, neglect, financial 

exploitation, and self-neglect: detection, mandatory reporting, and prevention.

• Protection: Strengthen protections and rights for older adults through 

collaboration with APS partners on stronger laws and policies that meet the 

evolving needs of older Rhode Islanders.

• Partnership: Enhance APS partnerships and the RI APS workforce to consistently 

respond to older Rhode Islanders who need or desire protective services
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus 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 fundstargeted 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.

1. Ensure client safety

2. Improve consistency across the state

3. Raise awareness

4. Enhance partnerships

5. Strengthen APS workforce
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus 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 isthisimprovement 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.

• Develop and standardize an APS workforce hierarchy internally and 

externally to addressthe increasing older adult population and the changing 

dynamics of APS.

• Develop a Safety and Prevention Program for APS clients and elders at risk 

to fill the gap between investigations and case management services. To 

include collaboration intra-departmentally and amongst other state 

agencies.

• Update existing APS policies/procedures and develop new policies and 

procedures that align with the RI Elder Abuse Law and the complexities of 

APS services. This will include internal policies and external polices that will 

guide statewide APS staff. Provide training on new/updated policies and 

procedures to statewide APS staff.

• Enhance and expand community partnerships on a statewide level through 

collaboration of education and training on APS detection, reporting, 

response, and resources.
APS Program Planning 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

Enhance APS 

and 

community 

response to 

include the 

Office of the RI 

Attorney 

General, the RI 

LTC 

Ombudsman,

and the RI OHA 

Home Care 

Unit 

$33,500.00

Investment to 

include APS 

partners in current 

APS data system to 

effect seamless 

transition of APS 

referrals and 

information

Project 1

Enhance current 

APS data platform 

by funding 

additional licenses 

for OHA APS 

community 

partners

RI APS coordinates with 

state and local agencies 

to respond to reported 

incidents of elder abuse, 

neglect, and exploitation

through manual 

processes regarding

time-sensitive 

information. This 

project will fill the gap 

between RI APS and 

those agencies and 

enhance client 

engagement

Train RI APS partners 

on electronic sharing 

of information in the 

APS data platform; 

shorten response time 

to elders at risk; 

ensure appropriate 

referral of APS reports 

The development and 

implementation of a multifaceted APS response team 

that coordinates protective 

services on various levels

while reducing duplication of 

services

Support APS 

client health 

and safety and 

promote 

independence

$245,232.00

Statewide 

investment to 

allocate funding for 

contracted APS 

case management 

agencies for client 

goods and services

Project 2

Enhance APS client 

goods and services 

to secure health 

and safety

The identification of APS 

clients in need of 

community supports 

(i.e., goods and services) 

so that APS clients can

maintain their 

independence, enhance

their health and safety, 

and decrease the risk of 

recidivism and/or longterm care

Providing necessary 

goods and services to 

individual APS clients 

who are at risk in the 

community through a 

client-centered

assessment of need by 

RI APS staff and case 

managers

Decrease the risk of reoccurring APS issues for 

clients, families, and 

caregivers and prevent

potential APS incidents via

community response and 

outreach
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 7

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs(Resources 

Deployed)

Activities Outputsfrom 

Investment

Short-Term 

Outcomes

Long-Term Outcomes

Enhance RI 

APS’ ability to 

receive and 

respond to 

reports of 

elder abuse, 

neglect, and 

exploitation

$134,280.00

Investment to 

enhance APS 24-

hour response to 

elders at risk

Project 3

Enhance APS After 

Hours program 

RI APS contracts with an 

outside vendor to 

receive and respond to 

APS reports and elders at 

risk during non-business 

hours/days. This 

investment will enhance 

this emergency response 

program to receive, 

identify, and respond to 

reports of elders at risk 

Training of a vendorhired APS Intake 

Specialist and 

additional APS data 

platform licensing for 

the vendor so that 

vendor program staff

are trained and 

educated on APS 

recognition and 

service delivery and 

have access to realtime information

Increase identification of 

reports that are of an APS 

nature and respond to those 

reports that need an 

immediate response

APS 

Community 

Engagement 

and Education 

$230,868.00

Investment to hire 

an external 

contractor for APS 

outreach and 

education

Project 4

Temporary hire for 

an APS Outreach 

Specialist

RI APS faces many 

barriers with reporters 

of APS cases and. This 

investment will enhance 

RI APS’ ability to educate 

and train reporters and 

potential reporters on 

the reporting mandate 

and APS process.

Increase knowledge of 

community members 

(e.g., professional 

hospital staff, law 

enforcement) on the 

recognition of elder 

abuse, neglect, and 

exploitation and 

educate community 

members, clients, 

families, and 

caregivers on RI APS 

Decrease reports of a nonAPS nature, increase 

reporting directly relating to 

RI APS elders at risk and form 

a more cohesive relationship

between RI APS and the 

community, including the 

community’s knowledge of 

elder rights to selfdetermination. 
APS Program Planning 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

RI APS Staff 

development, 

education, 

tools, and 

resources

$1,570.00

Investment to 

support and 

enhance the RI APS 

workforce

Project 5

RI APS Staff 

Development 

Support RI APS staff 

through the purchase of 

additional tools and 

resources: NAPSA 

registration costs, 

recognized people 

search internet engine

subscription, 

professional business 

cards, and professional 

badges

Increase worker 

knowledge and 

enhance their ability 

to receive, screen and 

investigate APS 

reports

Increase worker retention,

investigative tools, and

community recognition

Strengthen APS 

workforce

$1,181,448.00

Statewide 

investment to 

increase and reclassify the APS 

workforce.

Project 1

Develop and 

standardize an 

APS workforce 

hierarchy.

Increase FTE’sfrom 10 to 

13 (through agency hires 

and/or temporary hires, 

to be funded by the 

state after the ARPA 2 

funds are expended) and 

re-classify APS workforce 

to meet the needs and 

complexities of an 

increasing APS 

population of older 

Rhode Islanders.

Deter workforce 

stressors and staff 

turnover; increase 

workforce staff and 

knowledge base.

Formation of a specially 

trained and recognized APS 

workforce to betterserve the 

increasing number of APS 

cases.
APS Program Planning 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

Ensure client 

safety

$155,602

Investment to 

enhance current 

safe shelter and 

services program 

for APS clients 

and integration of 

APS and Home & 

Community

Based Services 

(HCBS)

Project 2

Work with 

vendor to 

create SAFE 

(Safety 

Advocacy for 

Elders) Program 

and integrate 

APS and OHA 

HCBS

Fill the current gap 

between APS and HCBS 

by delivering a safety 

planning resources 

program for 

substantiated cases of 

elder abuse, neglect, and 

financial exploitation 

while providing other 

preventive and less 

restrictive measures

through coordination of 

APS and HCBS.

Locate a vendorfor 

SAFE services.

Integrate OHA APS 

and HCBS services 

through program and 

data coordination.

Decrease recidivism rates of 

reported APS cases through 

data base analytics, reporting, 

and prevention measures.

Increase services and 

resourcesto APS clients.

Improve 

Consistency

$2,500

Investment for 

supplies to 

formalize the APS 

Policy & 

Procedures in 

hard copy 

formats for the

APS workforce

Project 3

Complete APS 

Policies and 

Procedures

Complete the ongoing 

development and 

implementation of 

policies and procedures 

that align with RI law, the 

agency mission, and 

individual rights to selfdetermination.

Develop an internal 

mechanism via an 

APS Policy & 

Procedure workgroup 

to review and update 

policy.

Completion of an APS Policy 

and Procedural Manual. Train 

internal and externalstaff and 

accompany policies and 

procedures with directed 

quality assurance measures.
APS Program Planning 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

Raise 

Awareness

$10,000

Investment to 

organize and host 

annual statewide 

APS conference

Project 4

Coordinate a 

statewide APS 

task force and 

deliver an 

annual APS 

conference

Locate and target 

agencies and 

organizations that 

engage with APS clients 

and services through a 

multidisciplinary 

approach of information 

sharing and coordination

of service delivery.

Include targeted 

agenciesthat engage 

with APS clients on a 

state agency level in 

the APS platform and 

develop an APS 

taskforce.

Coordinate and host once per 

year annual APS conferences. 

Maintain the APS-developed 

task force to pulse the 

strengths and challenges of 

APS, identify best-practices 

and recommend changes to 

enhance APS service delivery.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 11

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

DATES

8.1.2021 to

3.31.2022

4.1.2022 to

9.30.2022

10.1.2022 to

3.31.2023

4.1.2023 to

9.30.2023

Project 1

Data 

platform 

licensing $0 $16,750 $0 $16,750 $33,500.00

Project 2

Goods &

Services $61,308 $61,308 $61,308 $61,308 $245,232.00

Project 3

Emergency

Response $0 $44,760 $44,760 $44,760 $134,280.00

Project 4 Contractor $60,618 $56,750 $56,750 $56,750 $230,868.00

Project 5

Staff

Development $392.50 $392.50 $392.50 $392.50 $1,570.00

Total $122,318.50 $179,960.50 $163,210.50 $179,960.50 $645,450.00

ARPA 2- Second Grant Allocation - August 2022 September 2024

Description

2023 Period

1

2023 Period

2

2024

Period 1

2024

Period 2 Total

DATES

8.1.2022 to

3.31.2023

4.1.2023 to

9.30.2023

10.1.2023 to

3.31.2024

4.1.2024 to

9.30.2024

Project 1

Strengthen

Workforce $282,898 $282,898 $282,898 $332,754 $1,181,448
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 12

Project 2

Client

Safety $46,525.50 $33,025.50 $43,025.50 $33,025.50 $155,602

Project 3 Consistency $0 $0 $0 $2,500 $2,500

Project 4 Awareness $0 $5,000 $0 $5,000 $10,000

Total $329,423.50 $320,923.50 $325,923.50 $373,279.50 $1,349,550

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 $122,318.50 $179,960.50 $492,634.00 $500,884.00 $325,923.50 $373,279.50 $1,995,000.00