Page 1

APS Program Operational Plan: Georgia

State/Territory/District Georgia

Contact Bryan Hay

Budget Allocation $7,057,197

Timeline AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) OF 2021- Grant 1 $2,283,242

August 2021 – September 2023

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 - Proposed Grant 2 Estimated $4,773,955

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.

In Georgia our vision is for 

Georgia Adult Protective Services supports the larger vision of the Division of Aging 

Services (DAS) of a state where older adults and adults with disabilities can live 

longer, safely, and well in an environment of their own choosing. 
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 Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Aging Services 

(DAS) mission is to strengthen Georgia by providing individuals and families 

access to services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, and protect 

Georgia’s most vulnerable. DAS/APS fulfills the mission by conducting 

investigations, related to the abuse, neglect or exploitation of older adults and 

adults with disabilities, to determine the need for protective services; 

determining what services are needed to live safe, healthy, independent, and 

self-reliant lives; and by providing for or arranging those services.
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.

Georgia APS is client focused, individualized, and based on the social 

work model of problem solving. The following principles, values, and 

beliefs outline APS’ philosophy regarding clients in Georgia and

guide the practice and interventions by APS to protect the rights and 

well-being of at-risk adults with disabilities and elder persons

1. Each person/each case is unique

2. Autonomy

3. Self-determination

4. Consent

5. Capacity

6. Substitute Judgement

7. Least Restrictive

8. Right to be Protected

9. Professional Boundaries

10. Confidentiality

11. Multi-Disciplinary Approach

12. Family and Informal Supports

13. The wrong intervention may be worse than no intervention at all
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 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.

The Goals of Georgia Adult protective Services are to:

• Enhance availability of direct services to all APS clients

• Ensure older Georgians, persons with disabilities, caregivers and families 

have access to information about resources and services that is accurate 

and reliable.

• Have a well-trained and prepared work force

• Utilize data and continuous quality improvement principles to provide the 

best service possible 

• Prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation while protecting the rights of older 

Georgians and persons with disabilities.

• Mitigate the risk of future abuse, neglect and exploitation through service 

coordination and delivery
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 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.

Targeted Improvement Project Categories:

See model framework below

Not
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 6

Purpose/Need

s to be filled 

by ARPA 

Funds

Inputs (Resource

s Deployed)

Activities Outputs from 

Investment

Short-Term 

Outcomes

Long-Term Outcomes

Public 

awareness as it 

related to Adult 

Protective 

Services has 

historically 

been lower 

than that of 

other state 

agencies, in 

addition 

awareness of 

vulnerable adult 

abuse has also 

been shown to 

be lacking

$293,310 ARPA 1 Project 1

Community 

Outreach

a) Printing of 

brochures and 

other publicly 

disseminated 

training materials

b) Printing of 

publicly 

disseminated 

materials in 

languages other 

than English

c) Provide 

information 

related APS/Elder 

Abuse and Elder 

Abuse prevention 

through the use 

of radio, print, 

television, or 

billboard ads

a). 20,000 Brochures in 

English (10,) brochures 

directed to mandated 

reporters and 10,000 

Brochures targeting the 

general public

b). Brochures in 

languages other than 

English (6,000 

brochures in Spanish

c). GEORGIA PUBLIC 

BROADCAST 

CAMPAIGN

104, 15-second 

messages on GPB 

statewide 9-station TV 

network

468, 15-second 

messages on GPB 

Atlanta radio 88.5 FM

Increased awareness 

should lead to 

increased reporting, 

more accurate 

reporting and in the 

long run greater 

protection for 

vulnerable adults. 

Measurable Outcomes:

1. has there been 

an increase in 

the number of 

reports made to 

APS

2. has there been 

an increase in 

the percentage 

of reports that 

meet criteria 

for 

investigation

Georgia APS will assure that the 

target population has knowledge of 

and access to information about APS

and vulnerable adult abuse.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 7

416, 15-second 

messages on GPB state 

radio network

12, 768X500 banners in 

GPB opt-in eNewsletter

TTWN RADIO AND TV 

SCHEDULE & 

IHEARTMEDIA DIGITAL 

CAMPAIGN

Market: Albany - Total 

Spots 840

Market: Atlanta - Total 

Spots 960

Market: Augusta - Total 

Spots 840

Market: Columbus -

Total Spots 720

Market: Macon - Total 

Spots 840

Market: Savannah -

Total Spots 960

The relationship 

between elder 

abuse and 

social isolation 

has been well 

documented. 

Research also 

shows that 

isolation is also 

associated with 

an increased 

$1,400,932

Contracts with

AAAs

ARPA 1 Project 2

Enhancement of 

APS Processes

Mitigate risk for 

abuse, neglect, and 

exploitation 

through the 

attempt to reduce 

Isolation and 

loneliness

Georgia APS is 

contracting with an 

Area Agency on Aging 

to provide statewide 

telephone reassurance 

services to 

approximately 12,500 

vulnerable Georgians 

over a 12 mos. period. 

Georgia will also 

Increased support 

through telephone 

reassurance, particular 

for those individuals 

not being support 

through other services, 

should lead to a 

reduction of recidivism. 

Robotic pet 

companionship will 

Georgia APS will assure that APS 

clients who are isolated and those 

suffering from loneliness have 

access to community support, 

friendly calls and/or companionship.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 8

risk of high 

blood pressure, 

depression, 

dementia, 

malnutrition,

and other 

harmful health 

issues. 

Moreover, the 

Coronavirus 

Pandemic has 

been associated 

with increased 

social isolation 

of seniors and 

other 

vulnerable 

adults.

a. Contracting with 

an Area Agency 

on Aging to 

provide 

statewide 

telephone 

assurance for 

APS clients who 

are at risk for 

social isolation

b. Provide robotic 

pets APS clients 

who have been 

identified as 

being at risk for 

social isolation

purchase and 

disseminate 260 

robotic pets to seniors 

and adults with 

intellectual disabilities 

who are at risk of

experiencing 

loneliness.

hopefully lower stress; 

decrease depression; 

improve socialization 

and communication for 

participating adults.

Measurable Outcome:

1. Decrease in 

recidivism 

2. Through the 

use of pre and 

post surveys 

show 

improvements 

in mood, 

socialization,

and 

communication 

of participating 

adults.

Social service 

workers are 

essential to 

providing 

needed services 

to vulnerable 

populations. 

This 2 year long, 

and counting, 

global 

pandemic has 

reinforced the 

importance of 

protecting staff 

$339,000 ARPA 1 Project 3

Acquisition of 

Personal Protective 

Equipment (PPE)

Georgia APS will 

purchase initial supply

of PPE to include:

• 6864 boxes -

Gloves 

• 6864 bottles -

Hand Sanitizer 

• 3600 boxes -

surgical Masks 

• 864 – Canister -

Sanitizing Wipe 

Georgia Division of 

Aging Services will 

purchase an initial 

supply of PPE to be 

provided to all staff, 

clients, visitors to DAS 

offices and anyone else 

coming in contact with 

staff as a part of workrelated activities.

No covid infection spread from field 

interactions. Georgia APS will 

continue to use funds to assure that 

staff have access to PPE to mitigate 

work related COVID exposure and 

infection. Georgia will consciously

evaluate PPE needs based on CDC 

recommendations and changes to 

the worker / client safety 

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

safety as they 

protect others

• 3432 bottles -

Lysol Spray 

The ACL 

Voluntary 

Consensus 

Guidelines 

states that “It is 

recommended 

that APS direct 

service 

personnel and 

supervisors be 

qualified by 

training and 

experience to 

deliver adult 

protective 

services. It is 

recommended 

that states 

institute 

minimum 

qualifications 

for APS workers 

and supervisors. 

“

$250,000

Contractors for 

curriculum

development 

training and needs 

assessment.

ARPA 1 Project 4

Manager and 

Supervisor Training

a. APS will contract 

for continuing 

education and 

training for staff 

as it relates to 

Trauma 

Informed Care

b. APS will contract 

for curriculum 

development for 

minimum 

training 

standard for all 

APS Supervisor

c. APS will identify 

and contract for 

additional 

training to 

promote the 

staff 

effectiveness, 

Georgia APS will 

require staff to attend 

the following trainings:

a. Trauma informed 

care

• 20 1-on-1 

interviews to 

inform 

educational 

development

• 3-to-6-hour 

training that 

will be 

attended by 

all APS 

supervisors 

and 

investigators

• 3–6-hour 

training for all 

APS 

supervisors on 

resources to 

support 

Georgia APS will 

provide trauma 

informed care training 

to staff and administer 

knowledge checks with 

a required 80% pass 

rate. All eight 

supervisor core 

modules will be at a 

review and piloting 

stage. Lastly, needs 

assessment will be 

completed and 

additional training 

needs identified.

Georgia APS will have well-trained, 

competent, confident staff, 

prepared for the challenges and 

rigger. This will promote longevity 

and reduce turnover.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 10

confidence, and 

retention

trauma 

informed care 

of staff

• Train-thetrainer session 

to support 

continued 

sessions

• A policy, 

resources, and 

practice 

session to 

identify 

continued 

needs.

• All supervisors

will complete 

an 8 module 

Core 

Competency 

Curriculum 

training 

b. 300 needs 

assessment surveys 

will be 

disseminated to 

identify additional 

training needs of 

both APS 

supervisors and 

investigators

With year over 

year increases 

in reports of 

adult abuse, the 

$1,240,837.64

Georgia APS is 

allocating funds 

with the hope of 

ARPA 2 Project 1

Staffing Georgia APS will seek 

to hire 5 Advocate 2 

Staff acquisition will 

occur in year one. 

Additional staff will 

Additional Intake staff will lead to 

faster report to resolution time, 

ensuring that clients are not left at
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 11

number of 

investigations 

of adult abuse 

and the 

complexity of 

those cases, 

current staffing 

is not sufficient 

to adequately 

handle current 

volume.

hire additional staff 

to support the 

growing needs of 

the program and 

clients.

Advocate to hire 

additional staff to 

meet current 

reporting levels and 

investigation levels 

and complexity

a. Advocate to 

increase central 

intake reporting 

line staff, both 

at the 

supervisory and 

specialist levels

b. Increase support 

from Program 

Associates to 

provide 

assistance to 

central intake 

and 

investigation 

units

c. Contract with a 

public health 

nurse to assist 

APS staff in 

reviewing the 

medical 

information 

(bruises, 

medical records, 

medication list, 

etc.); to assist 

staff when 

engaging with 

medical 

(Case Manager) 

positions, 1 advocate 3 

(lead workers), 1 

Supervisor and 1 

Manager. Budget 

projections reflect 2 

years’ salary, benefits, 

and fringe for the 

above listed positions.

allow Georgia APS to 

extend Intake hours of 

operation; reduce the 

need to pull non-intake 

staff to fulfill intake 

duties, elevate the need 

for Department staff to 

answer unanswered 

calls and reduce 

abandonment rate. The 

addition of a public 

health nurse will 

improve APS’s ability to 

access client medical 

records and improve 

relationships with 

medical professionals.

risk for an extend amount of time. 

The addition of a Public Health 

nurse will lead to improved health 

outcomes for clients.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 12

professional; 

and to provide 

information and 

education to 

medical 

providers

In order to be 

best serve 

vulnerable 

adults APS must 

undertake 

continuous 

quality 

improvement 

(CQI). A key 

component to 

CQI is assuring 

that data is 

accurately 

captured, that 

the data is 

relevant and 

that this data is 

easily 

assessable for 

the purpose of 

review and 

analysis. 

$400,000

Georgia APS will 

work with our case 

management data 

system provider 

(Wellsky) to make 

needed system 

improvement.

ARPA 2 Project 2

Enhancements of 

data management 

system. Georgia 

Division of Aging 

Services will make 

improvements to 

the data 

management 

system utilized by 

APS, the Area 

Agencies on Aging, 

Home and 

Community Based 

Serves and the 

state Medicare 

Waiver Program to 

promote usability 

and integration 

across programs.

a) Data system 

enhancements 

to add grant 

related 

programs 

b) Data system 

enhancements 

a) Capture client data 

related new grant 

programs to deliver 

direct services to 

clients

• client 

demographics

• services 

provided

• length of time 

in services

• cost of services 

b) Capture data 

related on-going 

activities in our ERF 

(Emergency 

Relocation Fund) 

and TERF 

(Temporary 

Emergency Respite 

Fund) data by 

adding:

• Capability to 

request and 

approve funds 

• Fund usage

• More easily 

connect fund 

In year one Georgia APS 

will:

• have new contracts 

in place with our 

data system 

provider

• specific system 

change 

requirements will 

be defined, 

finalized and ready 

for build

By the end of the ARPA grant award 

system changes will be deployed, 

tested, and finalized. Changes will 

allow for better data collection, data 

analysis and continuous quality 

improvement related to policy, staff 

allocation, identification of services 

gaps and other changes that will 

improve client outcomes. 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District

-Specific Focus Page 13

to capture data 

related on-going 

activities that 

are not currently 

being captured

c) c. Data 

system update 

to improve 

client records as 

it relates to 

connecting past 

cases and 

related records.

usage to client 

records

• Ability to track 

data, look for 

trends and 

identify 

community 

service gaps

c. Improve client 

records as it relates to 

connecting past cases 

and related records. 

Records are organized 

around individual 

events of abuse and 

client information’s is 

connected to the 

event. Georgia APS is a 

client centered 

program would like the 

client to be at the 

center of the data and 

events, associated with 

APS or OAA programs, 

are connected to the 

client. We would like 

one client ID across 

programs and services 

and events related to 

that client are 

connected to that ID. 

Therefore, decreasing 

the likely hood for 

duplication of effort, 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 14

not being able to 

provide a full record to 

law enforcement or not 

having the full picture 

of the client’s 

circumstances which 

could lead to 

inappropriate 

intervention.

During the 

course of an 

investigation, it 

is often the 

determination 

of APS that the 

client is in need 

of protective 

services or 

services that 

will prevent the 

continued or 

future abuse, 

neglect of 

exploitation of 

the client. 

While these 

clients often 

qualify for 

assistance and 

case 

management 

through waiver 

programs 

and/or home 

$733,117.36

Georgia APS will 

contract with local 

Area Agencies on 

Aging to provide 

gap services to APS 

clients and APS will 

expand Temporary 

Emergency Respite 

case management 

services to include 

self-neglecting 

respite clients in 

need of case 

management 

services.

ARPA 2 Project 3

Case Management 

Enhancements

Enhance availability 

of Direct Services

a. In an agreement 

with local Area 

Agencies on 

Aging, Georgia 

APS will pay for 

direct services for 

APS client’s 

during a specified 

period of time to 

act as gap 

services between 

the time the 

need is 

identified, and 

traditional 

services can 

begin

Fees for AAA services 

are based on standard 

unit cost of 

subcontractor and 

consisted with service 

deliver under Older 

American Act programs 

and shall not exceed 

budget cost of 

$454,500.00. The cost 

will be broken down 

into the following 

areas:

• basic services 

(estimated 300 

clients served),

• transition services 

(estimated 30 

clients served), and

• transportation 

services (estimated 

230 clients served).

In year one Georgia APS 

will have contracts in 

place with the two pilot 

AAAs, APS staff will 

begin making referrals 

and services will start 

for select clients. 

Georgia APS will also 

hire an additional TERF 

case manager, change 

policy to allow TERF 

case management 

services to be delivered 

to self-neglect clients. 

Leading to reduction in 

open investigation for 

clients who do not 

meet the traditional 

criteria for APS.

Through the delivery of direct 

services and TERF case management 

Georgia APS will ensure that clients 

do not slip between the cracks that 

are found between APS 

interventions and traditional 

community-based services. With 

data to support proof of concept, 

the ultimate goal is to expand the 

program to all twelve AAAs. 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 15

and 

communitybased 

programs, they 

are often wait 

listed and 

unable to 

receive 

immediate 

relief.

b. APS will provide 

assistance and 

case

management for 

vulnerable adults 

who have been 

provided 

relocation 

assistance but 

are in need of 

further assistance 

to achieve 

stability

The remaining funds 

will be used to hire one 

TERF case manager and 

partially cover the 

salary of the TERF 

supervisor.

Social service 

workers are 

essential to 

providing 

needed services 

to vulnerable 

populations. 

This 2 year long, 

and counting, 

global 

pandemic has 

reinforced the 

importance of 

protecting staff 

safe as they 

protect others

$400,000 ARPA 2 Project 4

Acquisition of PPE Georgia APS will 

continue to purchase 

to include:

• 6864 boxes -

Gloves 

• 6864 bottles -

Hand Sanitizer 

• 3600 boxes -

surgical Masks 

• 864 – Canister -

Sanitizing Wipe 

• 3432 bottles -

Lysol Spray 

Georgia Division of 

Aging Services will 

purchase PPE to be 

provided to all staff, 

clients, visitors to DAS 

offices and anyone else 

coming in contact with 

staff as a part of workrelated activities.

No covid infection spread from field 

interactions. Georgia APS will 

continue to use funds to assure that 

staff have access to PPE to mitigate 

work related COVID exposure and 

infection. Georgia will consciously 

evaluate PPE needs based on CDC 

recommendations and changes to 

the worker / client safety 

environment

Public 

awareness as it 

related to Adult 

Protective 

$2,000,000 ARPA 2 Project 5

Community 

Outreach

Continue marketing / 

outreach efforts to 

include:

Increased awareness 

should lead to 

increased reporting, 

Georgia APS will assure that the 

target population has knowledge of 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 16

Services has 

historically 

been lower 

than that of 

other state 

agencies, in 

addition 

awareness of 

vulnerable adult 

abuse has also 

been shown to 

be lacking

a) Printing of 

brochures and 

other publicly 

disseminated 

training materials

b) Printing of 

publicly 

disseminated 

materials in 

languages other 

than English

c) c. Provide 

information 

related APS/Elder 

Abuse and Elder 

Abuse prevention 

through the use 

of radio, print, 

television, or 

billboard ads

a). 20,000 Brochures in 

English (10,) brochures 

directed to mandated 

reporters and 10,000 

Brochures targeting the 

general public

b). Brochures in 

languages other than 

English (6,000 

brochures in Spanish

c). GEORGIA PUBLIC 

BROADCAST 

CAMPAIGN

104, 15-second 

messages on GPB 

statewide 9-station TV 

network

468, 15-second 

messages on GPB 

Atlanta radio 88.5 FM

416, 15-second 

messages on GPB state 

radio network

12, 768X500 banners in 

GPB opt-in eNewsletter

TTWN RADIO AND TV 

SCHEDULE & 

IHEARTMEDIA DIGITAL 

CAMPAIGN

Market: Albany - Total 

Spots 840

more accurate 

reporting and in the 

long run greater 

protection for 

vulnerable adults. 

Measurable Outcomes:

1. has there been 

an increase in 

the number of 

reports made to 

APS

2. has there been 

an increase in 

the percentage 

of reports that 

meet criteria 

for 

investigation

and access to information about APS 

and vulnerable adult abuse.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 17

Market: Atlanta - Total 

Spots 960

Market: Augusta - Total 

Spots 840

Market: Columbus -

Total Spots 720

Market: Macon - Total 

Spots 840

Market: Savannah -

Total Spots 960
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 18

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

Community 

Outreach $73,327.50 $73,327.50 $73,327.50 $73,327.50 $293,310

Project 2

Enhancement 

of APS 

Processes $350,233 $350,233 $350,233 $350,233 $1,400,932 

Project 3

Acquisition of 

PPE $84,750 $84,750 $84,750 $84,750 $339,000

Project 4

Manager and 

Supervisor 

Training $62,500 $62,500 $62,500 $62,500 $250,000

Total $570,810.50 $570,810.50 $570,810.50 $570,810.50 $2,283,242

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 Staffing $310,209.41 $310,209.41 $310,209.41 $310,209.41 $1,240,837.64

Project 2

Enhancements 

of data 

management 

system $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $400,000
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 19

Description

2023 

Period 1

2023 

Period 2

2024 

Period 1

2024 

Period 2 Total

Project 3

Case 

Management 

Enhancements $183,279.34 $183,279.34 $183,279.34 $183,279.34 $733,117.36

Project 4

Acquisition of 

PPE $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $400,000

Project 5

Community 

Outreach $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $500,000 $2,000,000

Total $1,193,488.75 $1,193,488.75 $1,193,488.75 $1,193,488.75 $4,773,955

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

$570,810.50 $570,810.50 $1,764,299.25 $1,764,299.25 $1,193,488.75 $1,193,488.75 $7,057,197