Washington Adult Protective Services - 2024 Annual Report
Protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, self-neglect, abandonment, and exploitation. We value client selfdetermination and the professional expertise of our APS colleagues, while working to prevent and end harm by:
Conducting objective, timely, and thorough investigations;
Assisting vulnerable adults to access appropriate services in accordance with statute, rules, policy, and client consent;
Networking and coordinating with others to serve vulnerable adults; and
Educating vulnerable adults and the community about abuse, neglect, self-neglect, abandonment, financial exploitation, and protective services.
The information contained in this report refers exclusively to calendar year 2024. It does not pertain to fiscal year 2024.
Director’s Welcome
As we continue 2025 at Adult Protective Services (APS), I am excited to reaffirm our dedication to protecting adults from harm, including abuse, neglect, self-neglect, abandonment, and exploitation. We place a high value on transparency, equity, diversity, access, and inclusion, as these principles are essential for building trust and accountability within the communities we serve.
Our APS team is committed to respecting the rights and choices of the individual we support, while leveraging the professional expertise of our APS colleagues and our community partners. Our goal is to conduct objective, timely and thorough investigations. We work diligently to help adults access services that best meet their needs, ensuring alignment with laws, rules, policies, and their consent. We prioritize collaboration with our community partners to provide comprehensive support to vulnerable adults. Education plays a crucial role in our efforts. We aim to empower both the individuals we serve and the broader community with knowledge about the signs of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation. By spreading awareness and providing resources, we strive to create a safer environment for everyone.
As we present our annual report, we invite the general public in Washington State to engage with our initiatives. Our report highlights our dedication to transparency, and our commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of vulnerable adults. We are proud of the progress we have made and look forward to your continued partnership as we uphold and advance these core values in our mission.
Together, we can make 2025 a year of significant progress and protection for all. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our shared mission.
- Kathy Morgan Director, Adult Protective Services
80,784
74,536
What to Expect from APS
Engaging the Public in Reporting
APS relies on the public to report instances of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation so that appropriate actions are taken to address these critical concerns. This can be done online, in person, by phone, or through fax.
Intake and Evaluation
When a concern is reported, an APS intake specialist will gather important details to assess APS jurisdiction or purview.
Investigation Procedure
During an investigation, APS engages through interviews with individuals, collects pertinent documents, conducts observations, and collaborates with law enforcement and other relevant organizations, as necessary.
Collaboration and Support
APS collaborates with local organizations and community partners to provide essential services and support. This approach enables APS to effectively respond to and address cases involving vulnerable adults, ensuring their safety and well-being.
Interagency Teamwork & Collaboration
APS worked closely with the Washington Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to obtain a vulnerable adult protection order to stop exploitation by a family member. The client was at risk of eviction from a facility due to unpaid care bills exceeding $90,000. In the course of the investigation it was determined the family member was serving as the power of attorney and had taken over $100,000 from the client to purchase a home in their own name, and had failed to pay the client’s care bills.
The investigator collaborated with the AGO and the client’s other estranged family members to file for conservatorship, appointing the daughter as guardian and son as conservator. The investigator worked with the new guardian to seek Veterans Administration services in order to obtain needed medical care, including hearing aids which significantly improved their quality of life. The family worked diligently with an attorney to seek judgement from the court to have the perpetrator repay client funds.
Thanks to the investigator’s dedicated efforts, they were able to implement protective services for the client, secured a stable living situation, and assisted the client in accessing medical care.
Protecting Vulnerable Adults
The State of Washington defines a vulnerable adult by law as a person who is:
60 years of age or older who has the functional, mental, or physical inability to care for himself or herself; or
• Subject to a guardianship or conservatorship under RCW 11.130; or
• Who has a developmental disability as defined under RCW 71A.10.020; or
• Admitted to any facility; or
• Receiving services from home health, hospice, or home care agencies licensed or required to be licensed under RCW 70.127; or
• Receiving services from an individual provider; or
• Who self-directs his or her own care and receives services from a personal aide under RCW 74.39.
From Crisis to Stability
APS was called regarding a couple experiencing memory and cognitive issues causing them to struggle to pay their bills, support themselves, and who were in danger of losing their home. During the investigation, the couple was hesitant to accept the protective services offered by APS. The investigator closely monitored the clients and presented their situation before a multi-disciplinary team who were genuinely interested in ensuring the clients’ safety.
The investigator worked with the local Washington Attorney General’s Office to petition and secure a guardianship. With the guardianship in place, their bills were paid, finances were managed, and they were able to maintain ownership of their home. Additional supports were put in place for the couple to remain safely in their home and significantly improved their lives.
Guardianship and New Beginnings
APS received a report involving two siblings for allegations of neglect by their aging parents. They resided with their parents’ in a home described as cluttered and dirty, and had been reported to the county code enforcement on a number of occasions for large amounts of solid waste surrounding the home. One sibling was seen walking outside lightly dressed in 33-degree weather and appeared disheveled.
During a follow up visit by the APS investigator they found no one home at the residence. While waiting for the family to arrive, the investigator received a call from the mother stating they were at the hospital due to a medical issue with the father. The staff drove to the hospital and found the siblings unsupervised in a vehicle appearing confused and anxious. APS reached out to law enforcement for response and stood by. Neither parent checked on the siblings for over two hours. Upon arrival by law enforcement they transported the siblings for medical attention and were later transferred to a skilled nursing facility. The guardianship process was started, and they obtained necessary medical and dental assistance, and received donated clothing and essential items from facility staff.
Through the joint efforts of APS, law enforcement, and the facility, the outcome concluded with the siblings thriving in the facility, receiving much needed medical care, participating in social activities, and forming friendships.
Did you know that most reports to APS are for individuals over the age of 60, with just over 22% of reports being individuals under the age of 60.
Alleged Victim Gender
Primary Languages for Alleged Victims
Korean
Russian
Vietnamese
Alleged Perpetrator Demographic Data
Alleged Perpetrator Gender
Alleged Perpetrator Age
According to the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA), alleged perpetrators for financial exploitation tend to be opportunists that prey upon a vulnerable adult. Financial exploitation is the most commonly reported type of vulnerable adult mistreatment and alleged perpetrators are often someone the individual feels they can trust (family member, caregiver, friend, etc.)
Alleged Perpetrator
Relationship to Alleged Victim
All alleged perpetrators are identified by only one type of relationship to the alleged victim.
*“Other” includes relationships identified as attorney, co-worker, financial institution, law enforcement, legal services, neighbor, reporter, social worker, or witness.
2024 Accomplishments
Launch of Enhanced Training
Launched enhanced investigator training along with an updated partner field guide. This training will help us better serve vulnerable adults through a person centered approach that values equality, diversity and inclusion.
Improved Investigator Retention
Stabilized our workforce of front-line investigators by focusing on recruitment and retention, reducing vacancy rates from over 36% to under 14% statewide. This effort ensures we have a dedicated team to better serve and protect vulnerable adults.
Empowering Supervisors
Developed and launched the pilot of the new APS Supervisory Academy. This training provides practical skills for APS leaders to better support their teams and those we serve.
Advancing Program Integrity
Established the Program Integrity, Performance and Advancement (PIPA) Unit to support our division. This unit focuses on quality improvement, workforce development, retention and recruitment, and program integrity initiatives to better serve our community.
Clear Team Expectations
Standardization of operating procedures continues across the division, leading with our records, legal and due process teams. This ensures consistency and provides clear expectations to support our mission.
2025 Goals
Investigation Goals and Timeliness
Continue to address the growing number of open investigations and meet strategic objectives for timely initial response and case closure.
Federal Regulations Implementation
Working on implementation of newly released first ever APS federal regulations by June 2028.
Equitable Investigations
Standardizing APS staff expectations and practices to ensure alignment with division policies.
Enhanced Leadership Training
Launch an enhanced Supervisor/Manager Training and Onboarding Guide with a comprehensive training manual. This will help our leaders better support and guide their teams to protect vulnerable adults effectively.
Process Improvement Focus
Continue to focus on standardizing processes, improving program efficiencies, and managing projects.
Recruitment and Retention
Stay dedicated to recruitment, retention, and workforce development activities to better serve our communities.
