One of the least known services provided by the Douglas County Department of Human Services is that provided by the County’s Adult Protection (AP) Program whose job it is to investigate and help provide solutions to cases involving “at-risk adults – those who are being abused, neglected or neglecting themselves, or are being subjected to fraud.

“The safety and welfare of our citizens is of the utmost importance to us,” said Valerie Robson, manager of adult services.  “The Adult Protection Program assists in removing at-risk adults from harmful situations.”

For the best results in some of the more complex cases, Douglas County has an active Adult Protection Team. Agencies participating in the AP Team include individuals from the following agencies or disciplines:  mental health, home health, financial, ombudsman, District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, victims advocates, elder-law attorneys, psych nursing, human services eligibility, County attorney, Women’s Crisis and Family Outreach Center and Developmental Pathways. 

Human Services staff and AP Team members also benefit from: enhanced skills and expertise; enhanced knowledge of resources, approaches and perspectives of multiple disciplines and service networks; improved County department relations with collaborating agencies; up-to-date information on community services, resources and developments; and information regarding County standards of care.  This collaborative effort helps the AP staff and team determine if a change needs to be made in current services or if there is a lack of services in a specific area that might need to be addressed. 

The AP Team provides the community with improved service response, provision of a “checks and balances” system, and expanded community awareness of at-risk adult mistreatment and self neglect.

“It is important for people in the community to look out for one another,” said Robson. 

Anyone who has information that they believe fits the description of an at-risk adult should report it to the Human Services Department at 303-663-6270.