Page 1

APS Program Operational Plan

State/Territory/District Maryland

Contact Greg Sesek

Budget Allocation $4,453,930

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

August 2021 – September 2023 $1,440,997

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT OF 2021 - Proposed Grant 2 

August 2022 – September 2024 = $1,571,936 (Covid) + $1,440,997 (ARPA 1) = 

$3,012,933

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.

1. Vulnerable adults are safe and free from maltreatment

2. Vulnerable adults are living in safe environments

3. Vulnerable adults are partnered with a well-prepared professional workforce that

effectively collaborates to achieve mutual outcomes
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.

Mission, The Office of Adult Services

Through a home and community-based service delivery system, the Office of Adult 

Services (OAS) works to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation 

and unnecessary institutionalization, including older adults and adults living with 

disabilities.

OAS programs allow vulnerable adults in Maryland to live a high-quality life with personal 

dignity, privacy, and the right to make their own choices. 

The Office of Adult Services focuses on the needs of the elderly, adults with disabilities, 

and vulnerable adults. We work with local Departments of Social Services and 

community partners to coordinate services for the vulnerable adult population throughout 

Maryland to promote their safety, stability and independence. Our services are delivered 

with the principles of personal dignity, quality of life, privacy and the right to make 

choices.
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.

● Person-centered

● Trauma responsive

● Strength-based

● Culturally and linguistically responsive

● Outcomes driven

● Community focused

● Safe, engaged and well-prepared professional workforce
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.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process for Adult Services

● Improve adult and family outcomes by promoting client-centered, community

based, and individually focused trauma responsive interventions.

● Promote best practice and practice innovation to support state mandates through

the use of clinically appropriate interventions, improvements in efficiency and

effectiveness, critical analysis of data, and strategic investment of resources.

● Encourage a transparent environment and open dialogue between DHS/SSA and

local departments to facilitate shared accountability and sustainability of best

practices for adults and families.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion 

The Office of Adult Services (OAS) will work with internal and external partners 

toward Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in all aspects of agency culture, workforce 

development, and client and stakeholder engagement. We will identify challenges 

and barriers, and institutional opportunities for organizing change.

Develop an ongoing mandatory bias awareness training to include racial bias, 

ageism and ableism; the impacts on internal culture and how this is manifested in 

client and community engagement. This will include when to appropriately engage 

with law enforcement partners.

Training Expansion, Pre-Service & post-Pre-Service- Workers

Develop a comprehensive and sustainable plan for training new and existing Adult 

Services workers. This includes pre-Pre-Service Training for workers on day 1, until 

they are able to complete Pre-Service Training; Pre-Service Training, a 10-session 

hybrid; post-Pre-Service Training, utilizing the APS Field Guide; and NAPSA 

Certificate Program, Core Competencies. Maryland APS workers will be well-trained 

and NAPSA certified.

Training Expansion- Supervisors

Develop a comprehensive and sustainable plan for training new and existing Adult 

Services program supervisors. This will utilize Adult Protective Services Workforce 

Innovators (APSWI) tool, The APS Supervisor as Trainer: Preparing New APS 

Professionals for the Field. 

APS-Strengthening Practice

• Identify and Recommend Capacity Assessments

• Intake, Create an Adult Services- APS Intake policy and practice guide
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 5

• Investigation Outcomes- Provide an analysis of APS Investigation outcomes

through regular analysis of data to assess for Investigation efficacy

• Forensic Interviewing and Tool - Identify or develop a forensic interviewing

tool for use in sexual and financial exploitation investigations.

• APS Adult Abuser Registry

• Partnering For Better Safety Outcomes in Long Term Care Facilities

• Expansion of Lethality, Domestic Partner Abuse Screening Tool

• Address Policy Insufficiency, Provide Clear Practice Guides and Program

Manuals

• Develop Critical Incident Workgroup

• Undue Influence

• Expansion of preventative services and case management

• Nursing Consultation

• Capacity Assessments
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 6

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.

EXAMPLE: Illustrate targeted improvements using a Logic Model Framework
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 7

Purpose/Needs 

to be filled by 

ARPA Funds

Inputs (Reso

urces 

Deployed)

Activities Outputs from 

Investment

Short-Term Outcomes Long-Term 

Outcomes

ARPA 1

Enhance 

Workforce/Staffi

ng ResourcesTraining

$324,133

Training & 

Evaluating

ARPA 1

Project 1

Staff Development 

Through Additional 

Training utilizing 

the NAPSA 

Modules and the 

NAPSA Certificate 

Program

NAPSA 

Conference

Provide multiple 

trainings. Solicit 

feedback from 

attendees.

100% of Maryland

APS case managers

and supervisors will 

have ample training 

opportunities to 

satisfy licensure 

requirements.

100% of staff 

complete the 

NAPSA Certificate 

Program

Opportunities for 

APS Staff 

Attendance at 2022 

NAPSA conference 

& 2023 NAPSA 

conference. 

Maryland APS will pursue trainings 

including the 23 Core NAPSA 

Modules for both Instructor Led and 

e-learning formats that will enhance

and develop skills in key areas of

APS work. Contract with NAPSA,

SDSU, & or NTRC for the NAPSA

Certificate Program

Opportunities for APS staff to 

attend the 2022 & 2023 NAPSA 

Annual Conference. This will 

provide education at a national 

level pertinent to APS professionals 

APS staff will have 

enhanced knowledge 

of training topics 

resulting in more 

informed action on 

APS reports. These 

opportunities for 

professional growth 

and networking 

should also lead to 

increased job 

satisfaction and 

improved morale and 

ultimately provide 

better services and 

protections for our 

clients.

APSStrengthening 

Practice

Process 

Improvement –

Need to upgrade 

$116,864

CQI -

Continuous 

Quality 

Improvement

ARPA 1

Project 2

APS Program 

EvaluationComplete an 

overall evaluation 

Case Reading report 

and training session 

materials

Conduct an evaluation of Maryland’s 

APS’ program based on the National 

Voluntary Consensus Guidelines for 

State Adult Protective Services 

Systems provided by The 

Administration for Community Living 

providing Maryland APS with 

Maryland APS will 

have Improved 

consistency, 

efficiency, 

accuracy, and 

equity 

assessments to 

ultimately better 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 8

and improve 

Maryland’s APS 

Program to more 

nearly comply to 

National 

Voluntary 

Consensus 

Guidelines

Continually 

assess program 

impact and 

areas for 

improvement 

through data 

analysis

to identify areas of 

needed 

improvement within 

Maryland’s APS 

Program

Research/ 

Formative 

Evaluations (e.g., 

Structured 

Decision-Making 

Case Readings and 

Continuing 

Training)

Formative 

evaluation report(s)

Generate numerous 

recommendations 

for improving or 

changing specific 

components or 

processes within 

Maryland’s APS’ 

program. Implement 

a number of highest 

priority 

recommendations.

possibilities for program 

enhancement

Identify areas for improvement in 

consistency and accuracy in 

assessment tools, initiatives, and 

strategies for implementation

serve and provide 

timely and 

accurate services 

to our clients

APSStrengthening 

Practice within 

the counties

$1,000,000 ARPA 1

Project 3

County Level 

Projects

County Level 

Projects

Funds will be 

allocated to the 

individual counties 

for the approved 

projects and client 

needs that they 

identify 

APS staff will be better equipped and 

able to purchase to carry out their 

case management duties, buy 

purchasing items or services needed 

for their APS clients

• Emergency Placements

• Therapeutic Aides (Mental

Health)

• In Home Consultation with

Mental Health Providers

• Capacity Evaluations

• TeleHealth Visits

• Nursing consultation

• Forensic accounting services

• Delivery Services for Food

and Prescriptions and other

essential needs

• Safe Transportation Options

for Clients in need of

essential healthcare services

or other essential services

Clients will have 

better access to 

capacity and 

nursing

evaluations, 

temporary and 

emergency, 

transitional housing 

to provide stability 

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

• Electronic Equipment that

supports virtual visitation or

services like Life Alert

• Delivery Services For Food,

Prescriptions, and Other

Essential Needs

• Electronic Equipment That

Supports Virtual Visitation or

Other Services (Life Alert)

• Training

• Home hazard cleaning

services

• Durable medical equipment,

including utilization of funds

for equipment delivery

• Aging in place safety needs,

housing repairs

• Personal care supplies

• Respite Care

ARPA 2 ARPA 2

State 

Administrative 

Projects

ARPA 2

Enhance 

Workforce/Staffi

ng ResourcesTraining

$162,066

Training & 

Evaluating

ARPA 2

Project 1

Staff Development 

Through Additional 

Training utilizing 

the NAPSA 

Modules and the 

NAPSA Certificate 

Program

NAPSA 

Conference

Provide multiple 

trainings. Solicit 

feedback from 

attendees.

100% of Maryland

APS case managers 

and supervisors will 

have ample training 

opportunities to 

satisfy licensure 

requirements.

100% of staff 

complete the 

Maryland APS will continue pursuing 

trainings including the 23 Core 

NAPSA Modules for both Instructor 

Led and e-learning formats that will 

enhance and develop skills in key 

areas of APS work. Contract with 

NAPSA, SDSU, & or NTRC for the 

NAPSA Certificate Program 

Training expansion for Supervisors 

and Workers: Development of an inservice training plan to meet the 

needs of APS workers and 

supervisors, and provide ample CEU 

licensure opportunities, including 

APS staff will have 

enhanced 

knowledge of 

training topics 

resulting in more 

informed action on 

APS reports. 

These 

opportunities for 

professional 

growth and 

networking should 

also lead to 

increased job 

satisfaction and 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 10

NAPSA Certificate 

Program

Opportunities for 

APS Staff 

Attendance at 2022 

NAPSA conference 

& 2023 NAPSA 

conference. 

bias awareness training and ongoing practice refinements

NAPSA Certification costs ($150/per 

worker)

Opportunities for APS staff to attend 

the 2022 & 2023 NAPSA Annual 

Conference. This will provide 

education at a national level pertinent 

to APS professionals 

improved morale 

and ultimately 

provide better 

services and 

protections for our 

clients.

APSStrengthening 

Practice

Process 

Improvement –

Need to upgrade 

and improve 

Maryland’s APS 

Program to more 

nearly comply to 

National 

Voluntary 

Consensus 

Guidelines

Continually 

assess program 

impact and 

areas for 

improvement 

through data 

analysis

$58,432

CQI -

Continuous 

Quality 

Improvement

ARPA 2

Project 2

APS Program 

EvaluationComplete an 

overall evaluation 

to identify areas of 

needed 

improvement within 

Maryland’s APS 

Program

Research/ 

Formative 

Evaluations (e.g., 

Structured 

Decision-Making 

Case Readings and 

Continuing 

Training)

Case Reading report 

and training session 

materials

Formative 

evaluation report(s)

Generate numerous 

recommendations 

for improving or 

changing specific 

components or 

processes within 

Maryland’s APS’ 

program. Implement 

a number of highest 

priority 

recommendations.

Continue the ongoing evaluation of 

Maryland’s APS’ program based on 

the National Voluntary Consensus 

Guidelines for State Adult Protective 

Services Systems provided by The 

Administration for Community Living 

providing Maryland APS with 

possibilities for program 

enhancement 

Identify areas where improvements 

have been made and continue to 

identify additional areas for 

improvement in consistency and 

accuracy in assessment tools, 

initiatives, and strategies for 

implementation 

Maryland APS will 

have Improved 

consistency, 

efficiency, 

accuracy, and 

equity 

assessments to 

ultimately better 

serve and provide 

timely and 

accurate services 

to our clients
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 11

APSStrengthening 

Practice

$783,813

Practice 

Development

and 

Expansion

ARPA 2

Project 3

APS Program

Development

Expansion

to provide 

increased 

protections for 

vulnerable adults.

Strengthen 

guardianship 

practice, 

development of a 

guardianship 

specialty in APS; all 

guardianship 

program managers 

and supervisors to 

become certified 

guardians, National 

Guardianship 

Association.

Development of 

APS Financial 

Exploitation 

specialty; increased 

coordination among 

agencies to protect 

vulnerable adults 

from financial abuse.

Development of an 

APS Sexual 

Exploitation/Abuse 

specialty; utilizing a 

forensic interviewing 

tool to protect adults 

from sexual abuse.

Development of an 

APS Adult Abuser 

Registry to protect 

vulnerable adults 

from abuse.

National Guardianship Association 

certification for guardianship 

supervisors and workers

Expansion of contract with Maryland 

CASH Campaign to provide financial 

exploitation practice guidance and 

training

Evaluation of forensic interviewing 

tools for APS

Facilitation of an APS Adult Abuser 

Registry for Maryland

Evaluation and development of 

practice and policy guides

Consultant fees

Maryland APS will 

have Improved 

consistency, 

efficiency, 

accuracy, and 

equity 

assessments to 

ultimately better 

serve and provide 

timely and 

accurate services 

to our clients
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 12

ARPA 2

APSStrengthening 

Practice within 

the counties

$2,008,622 County Level

Projects

ARPA 2 

Project 4 

County Level 

Projects

Funds will be 

allocated to the 

individual counties 

for the approved 

projects and client 

needs that they 

identify 

APS staff will be better equipped and 

able to purchase to carry out their 

case management duties, buy 

purchasing items or services needed 

for their APS clients

• Emergency Placements

• Therapeutic Aides (Mental

Health)

• In Home Consultation with

Mental Health Providers

• Capacity Evaluations

• TeleHealth Visits

• Nursing consultation

• Forensic accounting services

• Delivery Services for Food

and Prescriptions and other

essential needs

• Safe Transportation Options

for Clients in need of

essential healthcare services

or other essential services

• Electronic Equipment that

supports virtual visitation or

services like Life Alert

• Delivery Services For Food,

Prescriptions, and Other

Essential Needs

• Electronic Equipment That

Supports Virtual Visitation or

Other Services (Life Alert)

• Training

• Home hazard cleaning

services

• Durable medical equipment,

including utilization of funds

for equipment delivery

Clients will have 

better access to 

capacity and 

nursing 

evaluations, 

temporary and 

emergency, 

transitional housing 

to provide stability 

and safety 
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 13

• Aging in place safety needs,

housing repairs

• Personal care supplies

• Respite Care
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 14

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

Training & 

Evaluating $81,033 $81,033 $81,033 $81,034 $324,133

Project 2

CQI –

Continuous 

Quality 

Improvement $29,216 $29,216 $29,216 $29,216 $116,864

Project 2

County Level 

Projects $333,333 $333,333 $333,334 $1,000,000

Total $1,440,997

ARPA 2- Second Grant Allocation - August 2022 September 2024

Description

2023 Period

1 2023 Period 2

2024 

Period 1

2024 

Period 2 Total

State

Administration

Projects

Project 1

State 

Administration

Training & 

Evaluating $81,033 $81,033 $162,066

Project 2

State 

Administration

Continuous 

Quality 

Improvement $29,216 $29,216 $58,432

Project 3

State 

Administration

APS Program

Development

Expansion $195,953.25 $195,953.25 $195,953.25 $195,953.25 $783,813
APS Program Planning Template: State/Territory/District-Specific Focus Page 15

Project 4

County Level 

Projects 502,155.5 502,155.5 502,155.5 502,155.5 $2,008,622

Total $3,012,933

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 $110,249 $443,582 $1,141,690.75 $1,141,692.75 $808,357.75 $808,357.75 $4,453,930