EPS/APS Program Operational Planning: Louisiana

State/Territory/District Louisiana

Contact Ebony Philips

Budget Allocation ARPA 1 - $1,110,372 + ARPA 2 - $2,321,640= Total Budget $3,432,012

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

August 2021 – September 2023

ARPA 1 - 1,110,372

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 - Proposed Grant 2

August 2022 – September 2024

COVID - $1,211,268 + ARPA 1 - $ 1,110,372 = ARPA 2 - $2,321,640

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.

Louisiana has a bifurcated system to assist and protect all of the vulnerable adults in

the state.

• Within the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs, the Elderly Protective Services

(EPS) Program serves to ensure the safety of all Louisiana constituents who are

over age 60

• The Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Aging and Adult Protective

Services (APS) serves to ensure the safety all of Louisiana constituents that are

age 18 to 59 with Disabilities

This 3-5 year operational plan has been developed in coordination with both

service agencies and addresses individual and combined Visions, Missions, Goals

and Objectives to benefit ALL vulnerable adults in Louisiana.

Page 1
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It is our vision in that Louisiana will be a desirable and satisfying place for vulnerable

adults, people with disabilities and those who are aged may live in their communities

without fear for their safety. Within the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs, the Elderly

Protective Services Program serves to ensure the safety of all Louisiana constituents

who are over age 60 and above. Within the Louisiana Department of Health, the Adult

Protective Services Program serves to ensure the safety of all Louisiana constituents

who are age 18-59 with disabilities.

Louisiana has identified needs that can be addressed with ARP funding as follows:

• Educate the public about Protective Services

• Enhance Guardianship/Curatorship Services

• To Strengthen the performance of Staff through training opportunities

• To keep clients/staff safe and healthy through the purchase of PPE.

• Enhance efficacy of case processing through technological enhancements
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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 Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs, the State Unit on Aging’s mission is to serve as

the focal point for the development, implementation and administration of the public

policy for the State of Louisiana and to address the needs of the state’s elderly citizens.

Within GOEA, Elderly Protective Services Program is committed to preserving and

protecting the rights of vulnerable eldersin need of assistance due to abuse, neglect,selfneglect, and/or exploitation, hereafter referred to as “abuse.”

In pursuit of this commitment, and in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 14:403.2

and La. R.S. 15:1501-1511, Elderly Protective Services is committed to establishing

systemsto provide protection to individuals who are unable to independently provide for

themselves or to manage their resources, and who are harmed or threatened with harm

through the action or inaction of themselves, those entrusted with their care, or other

parties.

The Louisiana Adult and Elderly Protective Services programs exists to protect vulnerable

adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation by investigating allegations of abuse and

offering appropriate services and resources to help individuals live free from

maltreatment in a manner that supports choice and independence.
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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.

APS & EPS are guided by the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) Code

of Ethics and the Adult Protective Services Recommended Minimum Program Standards

and practice guidelines. The NAPSA APS Code of Ethics states that the Adult Protective

Services program and staff promote safety, independence, and quality of life for older

persons and persons with disabilities who are being mistreated or are in danger of being

mistreated, and who are unable to protect themselves. Every action taken by Elderly

Protective Services must balance the duty to protect the safety of the vulnerable adult

with the adult’s right to self-determination. Elders who are victims of mistreatment

should be treated with honesty, caring, and respect by following these core principles:

• Adults have the right to refuse services.

• Adults have the right to be safe.

• Adultsretain all their civil and constitutional rights, i.e., the right to live their lives

as they wish, manage their own finances, enter into contracts, marry, etc. unless

a court adjudicates otherwise.

• Adults have the right to make decisionsthat do not conform with societal norms,

as long as these decisions do not harm others.

• Adults (Elder clients) have the right to accept EPS program services.

Both programs are guided by practice guidelinesthat emphasize the APS & EPS worker’s

need to:

• Recognize that the interests of the adult are the first concern of any intervention.

• Avoid imposing personal values on others.

• Seek informed consent from the adult before providing services.

• Respect the adult’sright to keep personal information confidential.

• Recognize client differencessuch as cultural, historical, and personal values.

• Honor the right of adults to receive information about their choices and options

in a form or manner that they can understand.

• To the best of the worker’s ability, involve the adult as much as possible in

developing the service plan.

• Focus on case planning that maximizesthe vulnerable adult’s independence and

choice to the extent possible based on the adult’s capacity.

• Use the least restrictive services first and community-based services rather than

institutionally-based services whenever possible.
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• Use family and informal support systems first, as long as this is in the best 

interest of the adult.

• Maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries.

• In the absence of an adult’s expressed wishes, support casework actions that 

are in the adult’s best interest.

• Use substituted judgment in case planning when historical knowledge of the 

adult’s values are available.

• Do no harm. Inadequate or inappropriate intervention may be worse than no 

intervention.
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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. Itis 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 currentpractices to

your Vision #1.

1). Louisiana will strengthen partnerships between APS/EPS 

and stakeholders inan effort to enhance services available to 

adults being abused, neglected or exploited.

1). Louisiana will increase positive outcomes for adults by 

strengthening evidenceinformed practices through 

enhancements to intake/assessment tools and an increase in

data collection and analysis.

2). Louisiana will enhance public awareness/knowledge 

of APS/EPS throughimplementation of a communication 

plan and the development of trainingsdesigned for 

community partners, stakeholders and ordinary citizens.

Louisiana will support the APS/EPS workforce through 

enhancements intraining protocols, technological advancements 

and continuous quality improvement.
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Purpose/Needs to be

filled by ARPA Funds

Inputs (Resour

ces Deployed)

Activities Outputs from

Investment

Short-Term

Outcomes

Long-Term Outcomes

Based on the results

of your

Environmental Scan

and PESTEL, what

needs of your APS

Program will be

served by the ARPA

funds?

Should be a clear

“connection” with the

Environmental Scan

items.

People,

financial,

organizational,

or community

resources

Directed

toward doing

the activity.

Improvement

Projects

Identify the

“What” for

each targeted

improvement,

with enough

context and

information to

explain.

Direct products of

program activities.

May include

types, levels,

and targets

of services to be

delivered by the

program.

Examples include nu

mber of

people served,

number of events

held, and number of

units

of service provided.

Specific changes

in behavior,

knowledge, skills,

status, or level of

functioning in 1 year.

Internal Benefits.

Specific changes in behavior, 

knowledge,skills, status, or level

of functioning.

Long-Term outcomes should be 

achievablewithin the 2-to-5-year

timeframe of grants.

Benefits to your Clients.

Need additional funds

for Grant manager,

Travel, Supplies,

Printing, etc.

$111,037

(Through

Period 1, 2023

then continued

in ARPA2)

ARPA 1

Project 1

Admin Costs

Funds clearly

assigned to new

supplemental costs

Additional funds

available for

identified APS

program needs

Clients/victims better 

protected by anaffective EPS

program

Guardianship services

are limited in

Louisiana

$251,126

Contract with

LA

Guardianship

services

ARPA 1

Project 2

Guardianship /

Curator

Remove the

moratorium for

guardianship to

serve additional

clients

Reduce number of

clients exploited due

to lack of

Guardianship

services

Less Clients/victims being 

victimized due tolack of

guardianship resources

Less elders ending up in nursing

facilities
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(Through

Period 1,2023

then continued

in ARPA2)

Need for training for

judicial staff, law

enforcement, financial

institutions, and other

community

stakeholders to be

more informed about

Elder Abuse, APS

program services and

law and how to

prevent abuse

Building and

strengthening

relationships

$298,440

EPS; Law

enforcement;

victim’s

assistance;

financial

institutions;

AG’s office;

LTCO’s; District

Attorneys;

Coordinator/

attorney;

COAs; ADRCs;

ARPA 1

Project 3

Boot Camps

Development

of Legal

Training

Sessions that

will address

the needs of

the APS and

EPS programs

as it relates to

partnering

with specific

stakeholders in

order to better

serve the adult

population

affected by

abuse and

neglect

# of people trained

or training sessions

held

Host Legal Training

Sessions with a

target population of

judicial staff, district

attorney staff, law

enforcement,

financial institutions

and other

community

stakeholders.

# of sessions held

via

zoom/teleconferenc

e

Training programs

created and rolling

out

Vulnerable adults benefit from law

enforcement, financial institutions, 

judicial staff and other stakeholders

having a betterunderstanding of 

Adult Protective Services and laws

Better outcomes for adults 

with moreindividuals working 

jointly to address concerns.

Public education Need

to inform public and

community groups

about abuse, neglect

and exploitation of

$165,000 ARPA 1

Project 4

Enhanced public and

community

knowledge of abuse,

neglect and

exploitation issues

Public service

announcements,

billboards and social

media campaigns

rolled out. A

Vulnerable adults benefit from the 

public and community having a 

better understanding of Adult

Protective Services
Page 9

elderly and Vulnerable

Adults

Outreach and

Media

Create

communicatio

n plan to

address

shortfalls in

knowledge of

services

available by

APS as well as

current

limitations and

to increase

APS presence

in local

communities.

affecting vulnerable

adults

monthly podcast

that addresses

various topics

related to APS

services and/or

limitations

Strong relationships with APS and 

EPS and their local communities,

community partnersand 

stakeholders.

Need training for new

hires and other staff

$400,500 ARPA 1

Project 5

Staff Training

&

Development

Training developed

and deployed to

staff

Semi-Annual training

conferences for staff

being developed and

at least one session

rolled out

Training to all APS

staff on how and

when to

communicate with

community partners

regarding an

investigation.

Vulnerable elderly citizens benefit 

from continued and enhanced 

training of APS/EPSstaff and are 

better protected from abuse, neglect

and exploitation
Page 10

Need for Personal

Protective Equipment

To promote safety for

staff and clients

related to Coronavirus

and Unsafe

environments

$20,000 ARPA 1

Project 6

PPE

100% staff/client

usage of proper PPE

PPE purchased and

in use

No infections to staff or 

clients fromunprotected 

interactions

Need for technology

enhancements and

upgrades (APS Only)

$50,000 ARPA 1

Project 7

Provide

technology

services

Purchase

software

packages to

enhance data

security and

reporting

efficiency

More efficient data

collection and case

processing.

Data security to

ensure

confidentiality

Training module

software to enhance

staff development

Ability to report appropriately to

federal andstate entities and secure 

data to ensure confidentiality.

Ability of staff to have 

knowledge andempowerment

for job performance.

Temporary Staff to

reduce caseload

within NAPSA

Guidelines

$90,540

(Through

Period 1,

2023 then

continued in

ARPA2)

ARPA 1

Project 8

Temp

Positions

Reduced caseload Continued form

ARPA1 but additional

staff added.

Reduction of

caseload per

specialist, for more

expedient case

processing and

More efficient and timely 

investigations toensure client’s 

safety and wellness.
Page 11

reduce staff burnout

Need additional funds

for Grant Manager,

Travel, Supplies,

Printing, etc.

$174,123

Starting in

Period 2 2023)

ARPA 2

Project 1

Administrative

Costs

Funds clearly

assigned to new

supplemental costs

Additional funds

available for

identified APS

program needs

Clients/victims better

protected by anaffective

APS/EPS program

Guardianship services

are limited in

Louisiana

$204,588

Contract with

LA

Guardianship

services

Starting in

Period 2 2023

ARPA 2

Project 2

Guardianship /

Curator

Increase services

from ARPA 1 by 2%

or more

Reduce number of

clients exploited due

to lack of

Guardianship

services

Less clients/victims being 

victimized due tolack of

guardianship resources

Less elders ending up in nursing

facilities

Need training for new

hires and other staff

$366,693 ARPA 2

Project 3

Staff Training

&

Development

Training developed

and deployed to

100% of staff

Semi-Annual training

conferences for staff

being developed and

at least one session

rolled out

Vulnerable elderly citizens benefit 

from better trained APS/EPS staff 

and are betterprotected from 

abuse, neglect and exploitation

Office of Aging and

Adult Protective

Services (APS

$550,000

APS

Technology

ARPA 2

Project 4

Office of Aging

and Adult

Improved APS

Technology

Development of On

Line Portal and

Modernization of APS 

Policies andProcedures for 

staff in a remote

environment.
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Reporting system

upgrade/modernizatio

n to enhance

functionality

Protective

Services (APS)

APS

Technology

enhancements

Training

(NAPSA elearning

modules)and

reporting tools

Improved APS

Technology

Implementation

Electronic

Modernization.

Additional reporting

option for thecommunity.

Governor’s Office of

Elderly Affairs, the

Elderly Protective

Services (EPS)

Program

Reporting system has

not been updated

since 2002 and needs

updates and reporting

needs may change

$550,000

EPS

Technology

ARPA 2

Project 5

Governor’s

Office of

Elderly Affairs,

the Elderly

Protective

Services (EPS)

Program

EPS

Technology

enhancements

Video

conferencing

Cloud storage

Improved data

system by close of

grant period

Specification and

needs identified, and

system overwrite

begun

Elderly adults benefit from a more 

efficientrun EPS Program

Ability to report appropriately to

federal andstate entities and secure 

data to ensure confidentiality.
Page 13

Training

(NAPSA elearning

modules)and

reporting tools

Temporary Staff to

reduce caseload

within NAPSA

Guidelines

$366,236

Starting in

Period 2, 2023

ARPA 2

Project 6

Temp

Positions

Reduced caseload Reduction of

caseload per

specialist, for more

expedient case

processing and

reduction of staff

burn-out

More efficient and timely 

investigations toensure client’s 

safety and wellness.

Need for Personal

Protective Equipment

(PPE) to promote

safety for clients and

staff related to

Corona virus and

unsafe environments

$50,000 Project 7

Need

Purchase PPE

100% Staff and

Client usage of PPE

PPE Purchase and in

use

No infections to staff or 

clients fromunprotected

interactions.

Public educationNeed to inform public

and community

groups about abuse,

neglect and

exploitation of elderly

and vulnerable adults

$180,000 ARPA 2

Project 8

Outreach and

Media

Create

communicatio

n plan to

address

shortfalls in

knowledge of

services

available by

Continue enhanced

public and

community

knowledge of abuse,

neglect and

exploitation issues

affecting vulnerable

adults

Continue Public

service

announcements,

billboards and social

media campaigns

rolled out. A

monthly podcast

that addresses

various topics

related to APS/EPS

services and/or

limitations

Vulnerable adults benefit from

the publicand community having 

a better understanding of Adult

and Elderly Protective Services

Strong relationships with APS and 

EPS and their local communities,

community partnersand 

stakeholders.
Page 14

APS/EPS as

well as current

limitations and

to increase

APS/EPS

presence in

local

communities.
Page 15

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

Administrative

Costs $27,759.25 $27,759.25 $27,759.25

Paid out of

ARPA 2 $83,277

Project 2

Guardianship/

Curator $62,782 $62,782 $62,782

Paid out of

ARPA 2 $188,346

Project 3 Boot Camps $0 $56,354.50 $56,354.50 $0 $112,709

Project 4

Outreach &

Media $41,250 $41,250 $41,250 $41,250 $165,000

Project 5

Staff Training &

Development $100,125 $100,125 $100,125 $100,125 $400,500

Project 6 PPE $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $20,000

Project 7 Technology $12,500 $12,500 $12,500 $12,500 $50,000

Project 8

Temporary

Positions $30,180 $30,180 $30,180

Paid out of

ARPA 2 90,540

Total $249,415.75 $305,770.25 $305,770.25 $249,415.75 $1,110,372

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

Administrative

Costs

Paid out of

ARPA 1 $58,041 $58,041 $58,041 $174,164
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Project 2

Guardianship/

Curator

Paid out of

ARPA 1 $68,196 $68,196 $68,196 $204,588

Project 3

Staff Training &

Development $74,173.25 $74,173.25 $74,173.25 $74,173.25 $296,693

Project 4 APS Technology $137,500 $137,500 $137,500 $137,500 $550,000

Project 5 EPS Technology $125,000 $125,000 $125,000 $125,000 $500,000

Project 6

Temporary

Positions $0 $122,078 $122,079 $122,079 $366,236

Project 7

Personal

Protective

Equipment $12,500 $12,500 $12,500 $12,500 $50,000

Project 8

Outreach and

Media $45,000 45,000 45,000 45,000 $180,000

Total $394,173.25 $642,488.25 $642,489.25 $642,489.25 $2,321,640

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 $249,415.75 $305,770.25 $886,180.25 $829,825.75 $580,410 $580,410 $3,432,012