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

State/Territory/District New Jersey

Contact Jennifer Mills

Budget Allocation $6,804,108

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

August 2021 – September 2023 $2,201,359

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) OF 2021 – ARPA Grant 2

August 2022 – September 2024

$2,401,390 (COVID) + 2,201,359 (ARPA1) = $4,602,749

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.

New Jersey Adult Protective Services, in cooperation with community

partners, provides prompt, regular and comprehensive training to all staff

and mandated reporters to ensure that state residents are aware of APS; a

larger number of vulnerable adults are identified and protected;

technology is used to target interventions and multi-case perpetrators;

and prosecutors have robust financial, legal and other evidence needed to

support criminal justice proceedings.

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 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.

New Jersey Adult Protective Services exists to protect “vulnerable adults”

from abuse, neglect and exploitation by investigating cases, collaborating

with community partners on interventions, and coordinating appropriate

long-term assistance to prevent further maltreatment.

A “vulnerable adult” is a person 18 years of age or older who resides in a

community setting and who, because of a physical or mental illness,

disability or deficiency, lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make,

communicate, or carry out decisions concerning his well-being and is the

subject of abuse, neglect or exploitation. (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-406. Short title;

Adult Protective Services Act)
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.

Adult Protective Services in New Jersey is guided by certain basic principles:

• Adults have the right to be safe.

• Adults retain all their civil and constitutional rights unless a court

adjudicates otherwise.

• Adults have the right to make decisions that do not conform with

societal norms as long as these decisions do not harm others.

• Adults have the right to accept or refuse services.

Core Values:

• Accountability – we act with integrity and strive for fairness in all we

do.

• Respect – we embrace diversity and recognize the rights of all

individuals.

• Teamwork/Collaboration – we value internal and external

partnerships, and remain flexible to new and diverse ideas.

• Workforce Development – we seek to develop new skills and enhance

competencies. We are committed to enhancing knowledge of new

and emerging issues/problems in the field.
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.

New Jersey Adult Protective Services Program Goals:

• To enhance and improve the statewide delivery of protective

services to victimized vulnerable adults residing in New Jersey

communities.

• To promote the APS program and increase stakeholder awareness,

advocacy and support of APS clients through education campaigns

throughout New Jersey.

• To enhance the response from the local network and improve

coordination across agencies interacting with APS clients who have

experienced maltreatment.

• To strengthen the program infrastructure through highly trained

staff supported by a comprehensive information system resulting in

enhanced service delivery.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 5

Targeted Improvement Projects

ARPA 1 IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Purpose/Needs

to be filled by

ARPA Funds

Inputs (Resources

Deployed)

Activities Outputs from

Investment

Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

ARPA grant

management

team:

Grant Specialist

for ARPA 1

Fiscal Manager

for ARPA 1

ARPA I

$251,359.00

Management staff

for duration of

grant.

ARPA 1, Project 1

Administration

Hiring staff.

Completed

environmental

scan.

Operational Plan

outlining

improvement

projects.

Improvement

projects and

reporting needs

are managed.

Environmental scan

completed and

operational plan draft

by end of 2021.

Completed

operational plan

submission by end of

January 2022.

Improvement Project

plans outlined by end

of January 2022.

Successful management of ARPA

I.

Improvement Projects completed

by 9/30/2023.

Improved response and service

delivery to vulnerable adults in

need of protective services.

Improved outcomes for

vulnerable adults in need of

protective services.

High staff

turnover.

Improve

mandated

training for staff.

Clarity on APS

scope/authority.

Improve

coordination of

local partners.

ARPA I

$120,000

Rutgers University

Amend existing

contract.

Curriculum based

on ACL, NAPSA

practice standards

and statute.

ARPA 1, Project 2

Professional

Education

Increase education

about APS to more

fully recognize and

respond to early

indications of

coercion and abuse.

Temporary staff

promptly receive

training.

Network

Partners and

mandatory

reportersreceive

APS Training.

Multi-day, online

training modules.

New APS staff

completes APS Basic

Worker Training

within six months.

APS process, practices

and standards are

better understood.

Improved knowledge,

skills, and attitudes

related to APS.

Well-prepared APS workforce to

manage increased caseloads and

increasingly complex cases.

Increase in reports from

mandated reporters (currently

10,000 reports annually).

Community partners and the

public gain increased awareness

and a better understanding of

the APS program.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 6

Provide ondemand and/or

online training.

Explore purchasing

NAPSA

curriculum.

Cross training for

AAA/ADRC

partners.

Improved working

relationship with

partners.

Improved program

reputation due to

consistent and high

quality operations.

Four additional

trainings offered to

100% of APS

workforce annually.

Increase in appropriate reports

and decrease of screened out

reports.

Client/Victim will benefit from

more appropriate referrals and

decrease of repeat cases.

Vulnerable adults receive

uniform and improved response

from APS program.

Increase in staff retention

Manage high

caseloads.

Increase support

to county APS

programs.

Address salary

disparities.

ARPA I

$450,000

Stakeholder

engagement.

Evaluate SWOT

results and

recommended

strategies.

Work with

AAA/ADRC

partners to

manage

allocations to

providers.

ARPA 1, Project 3

County APS

Provider

Enhancements

Support to county

APS providers to

respond to

suspicious activities,

including increased

resources to provide

support to stabilize

at-risk individuals.

Subject to approved

plans, provide

county APS with

funds for increased

Wrap around

services.

In cooperation

with respective

AAA/ADRCs,

individualized

county level work

plans will be

developed.

APS providers will

provide reports

of activities to

Grant Manager.

Additional

workers.

Increase in “screenedin” reports.

21 county providers

each submit 4

quarterly reports

annually between

8/2021 and 9/2024.

Improved delivery and

uniformity of services provided

to consumers.

Decreased isolated vulnerable

adults.

Improved moral and staff

retention

Improved program reputation

and relationships with system

partners

Decreased grievances.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 7

ages, bonuses

and/or hazard pay.

Awareness of

adult abuse.

Increased public

awareness of

APS.

Public

misconceptions

about the scope

of APS authority

to act.

ARPA I

$130,000

Contract with

NAPSA for APS

content.

AAA/ADRC

partners lead

community

outreach events.

Plan for updated

webpage

coordinated with

outreach plan

ARPA 1, Project 4

Public Awareness

Increase public

education that APS

and its partners

provide regarding

warning signs of

adult maltreatment.

Updated materials,

factsheets,

brochures, PSA, APS

video and similar

media.

.

Increased

messaging

circulated about

elder abuse and

elder justice.

Public awareness

campaign

working with

materials

developed by

NAPSA.

25% increase in

awareness materials

disseminated

statewide.

Multi-language,

culturally appropriate

materials and

messages/images.

10-15% increase in

statewide outreach

events.

Improved public

reputation due to

aligning expectations

with actual APS

capability/scope.

Increased public education

about maltreatment and

reporting guidelines.

Increased protections to

vulnerable adults.

Variety of trainings offered

annually to mandated reporters.

Tools are created for future

educational needs.

Prevention of adult

maltreatment.

Updated

technology to

support

program

activities.

Provide ondemand and/or

online training.

ARPA I

$300,000

Integration with

other systems

(e.g., SAMS,

Medicaid).

Incorporate

program

guidelinesinto

ARPA 1, Project 5

Technology

Infrastructure

Enhancement

Provide support for

county APS

providers to track

and respond to

suspicious activities,

Increased level of

data to ACL’s

National Adult

Maltreatment

Reporting System

(NAMRS).

Grant reporting

simplified.

Consolidated data

system to simplify and

aggregate reporting.

Access to real time

data in the field.

Perpetrators involved

in multiple cases are

quickly identified and

Improved program management

with efficiency.

Online reporting within 2-5

years.

Decreased computer time

enabling increase direct client

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

electronic

workflows to

ensure complete

and accurate

reporting/analysis

(e.g., statute and

regulations,

practice

standards,

consensus,

guidelines, NAPSA

standards)

including data

collection/analysis

to allow for more

accurate recognition

of trends and

patterns.

Perpetrator data

collection.

referred to criminal

justice system.

Ability to capture case

outcome information.

Improved reporting

and tracking

capabilities.

Program monitoring

efficiencies.

Variety of reports in support of

funding, education and research

opportunities.

Improved service to consumers.

Improved staff productivity and

morale.

Enhanced program integrity,

efficiency and accountability.

Partnerships for

improved

response to APS

clients facing

housing

insecurity such

as those

threatened with

eviction.

Improved

collaboration

and

coordination

between

agencies.

ARPA I

$450,000

Contract or

MOU/MOA with

Hudson county

AAA.

Cross training

education.

Training module

for professionals

in the legal

system.

Identified in State

Plan on Aging.

ARPA 1, Project 6

Enhanced

Coordination

Pilot

Establish

multidisciplinary

review teams to

support

comprehensive

resolutions to

housing needs.

Single county

pilot assisting APS

clients who are

facing eviction or

housing

insecurity.

Contract or

MOA/MOU with

county AAA.

Expanded

emergency

housing and

shelter options

for APS clients.

Enhanced advocacy

for APS clients facing

difficulties exercising

their rights.

Housing navigator

and advocate role

established within a

community-based

agency.

Increased

communication

between partner

agencies (e.g., legal

services, APS, AAA).

Earlier intervention for

vulnerable adults facing eviction

or housing instability.

Improved coordinated response

for APS clients who are

experiencing eviction or housing

insecurity.

Fewer evictions and greater

housing stability for APS clients.

Improved program reputation

and relationships with system

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

Increasing

financial and

legal complexity

of cases.

Limited access to

specialized

consultants.

ARPA 1

$500,000

Contract with

consultants or

service providers

at state level.

ARPA 1, Project 7

Shared Network

of Forensic

Specialists

Explore strategies to

better support

prosecution of

perpetrators who

inflict severe

negative

consequences upon

victims.

Statewide system

for APS providers

to access expert

consultation on

certain APS

matters.

Forensic

specialists work

with APS workers

on complex

investigations.

Forensic specialists

widely available for

APS investigations.

APS workers learn to

speak in “like”

terminology with

various professionals

(e.g., financial,

medical, legal).

Increase in cases sent

to prosecutors’

offices.

Optimal advocacy for APS client.

Improved collaboration between

agencies involved in APS matters.

Increase in cases pursued by

prosecutors’ offices.

Expanded protections and

advocacy to APS clients by end

of grant period 2022-2024.

Decrease in reports to APS of

financial exploitation due to

increased likelihood of detection

and prosecution.

ARPA 2 IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Purpose/Needs

to be filled by

ARPA Funds

Inputs (Resources

Deployed)

Activities Outputs from

Investment

Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term Outcomes

ARPA grant

management:

Grant Specialist

for ARPA 2

Grant Manager

ARPA 2

ARPA 2

$342,749.00

Continue

employment of

grant specialists

and grant

manager.

Weekly grant

team meetings

ARPA 2, Project 1

Administration

Enhance efforts and

resources to

prevent adult

maltreatment.

Projects

managed.

Continued

coordination with

partners.

Coordinated ARPA 2

projects.

A coordinated resource group

assists County APS programs in

providing services to clients by

end of the 3-5 year operational

plan (2024-2025).

Enhanced training provides a

better understanding of program

scope and increases appropriate

referrals.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 10

and milestone

markers.

Continue ongoing training to

bring awareness and ensure

protection of vulnerable adults.

Improve

mandated

training for staff.

Clarity about

APS

scope/authority.

Improve

coordination of

local partners.

Provide ondemand and/or

online training.

ARPA 2

$140,000

Rutgers - develop

curriculum based

on ACL, APSTARC,

NAPSA, New

Jersey APS statute,

and APS practice

standards.

Evaluate NAPSA

curriculum.

Trends identified

within program,

state and across

country (e.g.,

types of scams,

fraud, abuse).

AAA/ADRC

partners cross

training.

ARPA 2, Project 2

Professional

Education

Increase education

APS provides to

permit those who

work with

vulnerable adults to

more fully recognize

and respond to early

indications of

coercion and abuse.

Full trained APS

workforce.

In depth APS

training for

network partners

including

AAA/ADRC.

Multi-day, online

accessible

training.

Trainings

delivered

annually as

needed.

APS workforce is

highly trained and

ready to assist with

the increased

workload by end of

Sept 2023.

Improved awareness

and understanding of

APS process, practices

and standards.

Vulnerable adults are

protected through

coordinated efforts.

Improved

communication with

system/network

partners.

Well-prepared APS workforce

and consumers receive prompt,

thorough and coordinated

services.

Improved knowledge, skills, and

attitudes related to APS.

Perpetrators discouraged by

increased likelihood of detection

and prosecution, resulting in

prevention of maltreatment.

Increased reports by mandated

reporters. Fewer screened out

reports. Increased appropriate

reports.

Increased staff retention,

improved program reputation

and relationships with system

partners.

Local APS

providers

require support

to manage

ARPA 2

$3,000,000

ARPA 2, Project 3 Ability to provide

wrap around

services.

APS providers obtain

needed resources.

More uniform service throughout

state.

Clients are better served.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 11

increasing

caseloads.

Strengthen

county APS

programs.

Stakeholder and

AAA/ADRC

engagement.

State Plan on

Aging goals.

County APS

Provider

Enhancements

Enhance support for

county APS

providers to

respond to reports,

including increased

resources to provide

support to stabilize

at-risk individuals.

Reports of

activities.

Additional staff.

Strengthened

response provides

APS clients with more

choice in service

options.

Ability to manage

increased reports.

Increased staff retention.

Improved program reputation

and relationships with system

partners.

APS providers manage growth

and change.

Awareness of

adult abuse.

Public

misconceptions

about

role/scope of

APS.

Educational

materials

available to

public.

Webpage and

outreach.

ARPA 2

$220,000

Branding and

production of

digital materials.

Coordinated

outreach utilizing

social media, TV,

radio, news,

webpage.

ARPA 2, Project 4

Public Awareness

Increase public

education that APS

and its partners

provide regarding

warning signs of

adult maltreatment.

Increased

messaging to

consumers about

elder abuse and

elder justice.

Supply of

culturally

appropriate,

multi-language

materials.

Information is

delivered in a variety

of formats to reach a

variety of consumers.

AAA/ADRC partners

share APS materials

during community

outreach events.

Increased public education

regarding warning signs of adult

maltreatment.

Public is more familiar with

abuse, where to report and what

happens once reported.

Increased protections of

vulnerable adults and

prevention of maltreatment.

Changing

landscape

requires new

capabilities to

ARPA 2

$400,000

ARPA 2, Project 5 Current with

upgrades to

technology.

Optimized data

collection.

Accurate statistical information

provided quickly.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 12

identify and

combat trends in

scams, fraud,

and abuse.

Develop

program-funding

repository.

Advances in

NAMRS

technology.

Integration with

DOAS grant

system.

Technology

Infrastructure

Enhancement

Enhance support for

county APS

providers to track

and respond to

suspicious activities,

including data

collection and

analysis to allow for

more accurate

recognition of

trends and patterns.

Online reporting. Case outcome

information analyzed.

Perpetrator repository

considered for

possible future

registry.

Program monitoring

completed through

system.

Ability to apply for outcomebased funding programs.

Simple Medicaid-related

reporting.

Increased APS research

involvement.

Improved service to consumers

Increased efficiency through

automated processes.

Consumers

reach correct

reporting

agencies.

Growth and

succession

planning.

ARPA 2

$500,000

Division leadership

supportive of goal

to strengthen the

state APS office

infrastructure.

ARPA 2, Project 6

Operational

Infrastructure

Enhancement

Specialized

positions to

enhance and better

support state

program.

Hotline to auto

route callers to

appropriate

county APS.

State Level

screener/investig

ator for technical

assistance to

providers.

Forensic

specialist

consultations.

Callers directed to

appropriate county

office.

Triage reports to

appropriate agencies.

Expert consultations

for APS investigations.

Improved program

reputation and

community partner

relationships.

Improved reporter experience –

one stop calling.

Mentoring system in place to

support anticipated growth.

Improved case outcomes.

Improved coordination and

communication between

agencies.

Improved program reputation.

Specialized support for complex

cases.

Prevention of adult abuse.
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 13

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.

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 Administration 62,839.75 62,839.75 62,839.75 62,839.75 251,359.00

Project 2

Professional

Education

0 40,000.00 40,000.00 40,000.00 120,000

Number of

Project 3

County APS

Provider

Enhancements

0 0 225,000.00 225,000.00 450,000

Project 4

Public Awareness

Campaign

0 50,000.00 80,000.00 0 130,000

Project 5

APS Technology

Infrastructure

Enhancement

60,000 60,000 90,000 90,000 300,000

Project 6

Enhanced

Coordination

0 150,000.00 150,000.00 150,000.00 450,000

Project 7

Shared Network of

Forensic Specialists

0 200,000 150,000.00 150,000.00 500,000

Total 122,839.75 562,839.75 797,839.75 717,839.75 2,201,359.00
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 14

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 Administration 85,687.25 85,687.25 85,687.25 85,687.25 342,749.00

Project 2

Professional

Education

0 0 70,000.00 70,000.00 140,000

Project 3

County APS

Provider

Enhancements

625,000.00 625,000 875,000.00 875,000.00 3,000,000

Project 4

Public Awareness

Campaign

20000 100000 50,000.00 50,000.00 220,000

Project 5

APS Technology

Infrastructure

Enhancement

0 0 200,000 200,000.00 400,000

Project 6

APS Operational

Infrastructure

Enhancement

125,000.00 125,000 125,000 125,000 500,000.00

Total 855,687.25 935,687.25 1,405,687.25 1,405,687.25 4,602,749.00

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 122,839.75 562,839.75 1,653,527.00 1,653,527.00 1,405,687.25 1,405,687.25 6,804,108.00

Categories may include:

• Development Operational Plan

• Staffing (include FTE or Consulting Agreements)

• Training

• Technology Upgrade

• Equipment

• Administrative Costs

• Transportation

• Wrap-around services