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APS Program Operational Plan: Puerto Rico

State/Territory/District Puerto Rico 

Contact María I. Vázquez Mojica / Wilma Ortiz Rivera

Budget Allocation $2,940,508

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

August 2021 – September 2023 $951,354

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 - Proposed Grant 2 

August 2022 – September 2024 = $1,037,800 + $951,354 = $1,989,154

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 Puerto Rico Family Department and its Adult Protective Services Program envision 

people who retain their autonomy, if possible, who are independent, support 

themselves, their families and where individuals are safe from abuse and neglect.
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.

The mission of APS for the territory of Puerto Rico exists to protect and support elder 

adults, adults with disabilities and their families from the effects of family violence, abuse, 

neglect, and exploitation in all its manifestations. Through individual, groups, and 

community services we will facilitate the provision and promotion of remedial and 

preventive social services, greater participation, equality, and social justice.
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.

The territory of Puerto Rico conduct:

1. Integrity, high quality customer service.

2. Champion the safety and dignity of vulnerable adults.

3. Teamwork collaboration.

4. Demonstrate respect for all persons.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 4 

Goals for Program Improvement

These are goals to be obtained 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.

1. Ensure that the data collection system allows the extraction of statistical 

demographic information, incidence and types of abuse and a profile of the 

victim and perpetrator, according to the information requirement of NAMRS.

2. Through a training program in the use of the mechanized system, ensure 

that social workers document interventions using the integrated case 

management system according to 90%, which will result in better use of 

time, greater productivity, and collection of reliable data.

3. Train social workers in techniques and methods of investigating financial 

exploitation referrals so that the foundations can be laid for the creation of 

specialized units to protect against financial abuse.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 5 

Targeted Improvement Projects

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs (Resourc

es Deployed)

Activities Outputs from 

Investment

Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

Increase the 

number of 

referrals inquires 

by reducing 

intervention and 

documentation 

time by 

improving the 

data collection 

system.

$350k 

investment for 

update, 

improvements, 

and 

maintenance to 

the Integrated 

Case 

Management 

System 

(SIMCa).

ARPA 1 

Project 1

Hire a 

technology 

company or pay 

for system 

upgrades to the 

current 

contractor.

Complete 75% of 

inquiries from all 

referrals received.

Creation of new and 

updated formats and 

tools in the Integrated 

Case Management 

System.

Increased completed referral 

investigations

Protect and 

support elder 

adults and adults 

with disabilities 

and their families 

from the effects 

of maltreatment.

$500K

$500k from 

ARPA I (in 

addition 

$500,000 to 

investment 

from COVID 

Relief Funds)

ARPA 1 

Project 2

Hire company to 

investigate the 

referrals of adult 

social protection 

by placing a

Public Notice 

and establishing 

subsequent 

contract.

Investigate 100% of 

vacant zone referrals 

received between 

March 2020-March 

2021.

Protection and 

provision of services to 

the families as the 

investigation process 

develops.

Protection of all adults who have 

not been able to be protected due 

to referrals being in a vacant area.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 6 

Strengthen the 

skills of 

employees in the 

investigation of 

abuse referrals, 

supervision, and 

complex financial 

exploitation 

situations.

$101,354k 

investment

ARPA 1 

Project 3 

Carry out a series 

of trainings and 

workshops in 

financial 

exploitation 

investigations, 

taking adults 

protection 

referrals and 

supervision 

focused on Adult 

Protective 

Services.

Increased and 

improved 

investigative skills, 

improved quality of 

information collected 

during a call to report 

a referral, improved 

supervision skills. 

200-250 people 

trained

Measure/Report case 

investigation time

Completed 

investigations in less 

time

Take referrals with 

information that allows 

to evaluate safety more 

effectively and 

efficiently

Supervisors will offer a 

more structured 

supervision and 

support through 

meetings and 

supervision activities to 

case managers during 

their investigations.

Increased quality of the 

investigations

 

Increased quality of the 

information collected during a 

referral call

Increased supervision skills.

High Volume of 

Cases. Need for 

temporary 

personnel in 4 

Regions

$398,324.88

Source 

internally or 

possibly use a 

temp agency

ARPA 2 

Project 1

Strengthen the 

Adult Institutional 

Abuse Units in 4 

Regions through 

the hiring of 

temporary 

personnel.

# of temps hired

# of cases closed

Temps Hired

Reduction of referrals 

pending investigation 

in vacant zone

Vulnerable adults receive better 

foster care through adequate 

staffing 

Investigations completed within 

the established timeframes 

Investigations are allocated at 

90%
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 7 

Need medical 

advice in 

overseeing 

appropriateness 

of care 

$60,000.00 ARPA 2 

Project 2

Enlist the 

professional 

services of a 

geriatrician or 

other medical 

professional as a 

consultant in cases 

of institutional 

abuse

# of investigations

where medical 

professional input is 

provided

Medical professional

hired

The queries answer by 

the medical consultant 

facilitate decision 

making regarding the 

investigation

Vulnerable adults in institutions 

receive better care through 

Geriatrician or other medical 

professional input 

Investigations completed in less 

time

Actions taken are sustained in the 

appeal process

Increased cases 

of financial 

exploitation and 

more complex 

financial fraud

$316,852.00

Temp staff

ARPA 2 

Project 3

Investigate

financial

exploitation 

referrals that are 

in arrears from 6 

regions by hiring 

temporary social 

workers or

investigators

Increased number of 

financial exploitation 

referrals assigned for

investigations 

Temps hired and 

Increased number of 

completed 

investigations of 

financial exploitation

Vulnerable adults safe from 

financial exploitation

Increased cases 

of financial 

exploitation and 

more complex 

financial fraud

$75,000.00 ARPA 2 

Project 4

Enlist the 

consulting 

professional 

services of a fraud 

investigator or 

forensic 

Increased number of 

completed 

investigations of 

financial fraud

Forensic Accountant 

engaged 

Increased investigation 

of complex forms of

financial exploitation

Vulnerable adults safe from 

financial exploitation
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 8 

accountant 

consultant in 

financial 

exploitation cases.

Spiking Covid 

infection risk

$50,000.00 ARPA 2 

Project 5

Continuing supply 

of COVID-19 

infection

prevention

materials to staff

100% of staff have 

adequate PPE

Adequate supply of PPE 

in stock

Staff and vulnerable adults 

protected from Covid infections

Need of 

technological 

equipment to 

facilitate case 

management and 

investigations

$50,000.00 ARPA 2 

Project 6

Purchase of 10 

portable scanners 

and 10 digital 

cameras (one for 

each region) and 

related equipment 

for 

APS Program 

Planning 

Template: 

State/Territory

/District-Specific 

Focus Page 13

investigations of 

institutional 

abuse and 

protection cases.

# of regions with 

adequate equipment 

Scanners and cameras 

purchased and in use 

More comprehensive 

documentation 

available

Vulnerable adults benefit from 

more efficient case management

and more time spent with clients 

and victims
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 9 

Need for

technological 

equipment to 

facilitate virtual 

meetings and 

training sessions

$10,000.00 ARPA 2 

Project 7

Purchase of 

interactive TV and 

related equipment 

for the Adults

Program in Central 

Office to be used 

in virtual 

meetings,

trainings, etc.

# of remote trainings 

held

Equipment purchased 

and installed

Vulnerable adults benefit from 

better trained field staff 

Case 

Management 

system needs 

updates

$300,000.00 ARPA 2 

Project 8

Update and 

continuing 

maintenance of 

the Integrated 

Case Management 

System (SIMCa)

Ongoing upgrades 

and maintenance of 

case management 

system occur on 

schedule

Upgrades to systems 

made

Less use of paper files

Staff stress reduced by better 

working case management system 

and Vulnerable adults benefit 

from more timely and organized 

case management 

Better data available to NAMRS

Need to assess 

ongoing quality 

of long-term care 

and home aid 

services 

$297,403.00

Contracted QA

team

ARPA 2 

Project 9

Contracting a 

quality assurance 

team for the 

assessment of 

long-term care 

and home aide 

services

Regular quality 

assurance reporting

QA team hired and 

beginning to do 

assessments 

Vulnerable adults benefit from 

high quality Long-Term care and 

Home Aid services that are 

regularly monitored for quality
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 10

Need for 

emergency 

shelter for 

abused, 

neglected, or 

exploited adults 

in immediate 

danger in their 

current living 

situation

$287,574.12 ARPA 2 

Project 10

Emergency shelter 

and 

evaluations

Number of cases that 

use emergency beds

Emergency Shelters 

identified and 

evaluation process 

developed and 

implemented 

Vulnerable adults in immediate 

danger of abuse, neglect or 

exploitation are provided 

emergency shelter

Need help to 

manage large 

number of new 

projects being 

initiated

$144,000 ARPA 2

Project 11

Hire Grant

Manager for next 

3 years of 

operations

Timely completion of 

ARPA Grant projects

Hire a Grant Manager 

to oversee the new 

projects enabled by the 

ARPA Grants

Projects proceed on schedule and 

Grant $ are spent to maximum 

benefit vulnerable adults
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

Project 1

Technology Upgrade 

Expand Database Case 

Management $55,000 $98,333 $98,333 $98,333 350,000.00

Project 2

Hiring external resource 

for investigation of 

referrals $125,000 $125,000 $125,000 $125,000 500,000.00

Project 3

Training for personnel and 

Supervisors of the 

protection program and 

stakeholders. 0 $50,677 $50,677 0 101,354.00

Total $180,000 $274,010 $274,010 $223,334 951,354.00
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 12

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

Strengthen the 

Adult’s

Institutional 

Abuse Units in 4 

Regions through 

the hiring of 

temporary 

personnel. $99,581.22 $99,581.22 $99,581.22 $99,581.22 $398,324.88 

Project 2

Enlist the 

professional 

services of a 

geriatrician as a 

consultant in 

cases of

institutional abuse $15,000.00 $15,000.00 $15,000.00 $15,000.00 $60,000.00

Project 3

Investigate 

financial 

exploitation 

referrals that are 

in arrears from 6 

regions by hiring 

temporary social 

workers or 

investigators $79,213.00 $79,213.00 $79,213.00 $79,213.00 $316,852.00

Project 4

Enlist the 

professional 

services of a fraud 

investigator or 

Forensic

accountant 

consultant in 

financial

exploitation cases. $18,750.00 $18,750.00 $18,750.00 $18,750.00 $75,000.00
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 13

Project 5

Continuing supply 

of COVID-19 

infection 

prevention 

materials 

to staff $12,500.00 $12,500.00 $12,500.00 $12,500.00 $50,000.00

Project 6

Purchase of 10 

portable scanners 

and 10 digital 

cameras (one for 

each region) and 

related equipment 

for $50,000.00

APS Program 

Planning

Template: 

State/Territory/

District-Specific 

Focus Page 13

investigations of 

institutional abuse 

and protection 

cases $12,500.00 $12,500.00 $12,500.00 $12,500.00 $50,000.00

Project 7

Purchase of 

interactive TV and 

related equipment 

for the Adults 

Program in Central 

Office to be used 

in virtual

meetings, 

trainings, etc. $2,500.00 $2,500.00 $2,500.00 $2,500.00 $10,000.00

Project 8

Update and 

continuing 

maintenance of 

the Integrated 

Case Management 

System (SIMCa) $75,000.00 $75,000.00 $75,000.00 $75,000.00 $300,000.00
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 14

Project 9

Contracting a 

quality assurance 

team for the 

assessment of 

long-term care 

and home aide 

services $74,350.75 $74,350.75 $74,350.75 $74,350.75 $297,403.00

Project 10

Emergency shelter 

and 

evaluations $71,893.53 $71,893.53 $71,893.53 $71,893.53 $287,574.12

Project 11

Need help to 

manage large 

number of new 

projects been 

initiated $36,000.00 $36,000.00 $36,000.00 $36,000.00 $144,000.00

TOTAL $1,989,154

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 $180,000 $274,010 

($274,010 ARPA 1 + 

$497,288.50 ARPA 2) 

$771,298.50

($223,334 ARPA 1 + 

$497,288.50 ARPA 2) 

$720,621.50 $497,288.50 $497,288.50 $2,940,508