ANCOR Applauds ACL’s Proposed Rule on Adult Protective Services

ANCOR expressed its gratitude to the Administration for Community Living (ACL) in comments on the proposed rule concerning Adult Protective Services (APS) Functions and Grants, commending ACL for addressing critical concerns faced by APS systems.

In its feedback, ANCOR acknowledges ACL’s commitment to establishing reliable policies and procedures governing APS systems of response. ANCOR emphasizes the significance of providing states’ APS programs with guidance on standards of best practices, recognizing the challenges they face without such guidance.

ANCOR applauded ACL’s proposal for regulations that set basic standards for communication with mandated reporters during investigations, while highlighting the unique role community-based providers play as mandated reporters due to their close interactions with individuals with I/DD.

A key concern raised by ANCOR is the lack of information received by community-based providers regarding the status of their reports to APS. This communication gap can hinder the reporting process and timely response, potentially leading to misunderstandings or unintentional facilitation of ongoing abuse. ANCOR urges ACL to prioritize enhanced communication with community-based providers, particularly when an employee or individual interacting with a provider is implicated in mandated reports. This, ANCOR emphasizes, is crucial for swift and appropriate actions to protect the health and well-being of the individuals being supported.