Adult Protective Services
If you are calling to report an issue of adult or elder abuse or neglect of a person living in the community within Waukesha County:
During regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8am – 4:30pm):
Aging and Disability Resource Center of Waukesha County at (262) 548-7848
After business hours:
Impact 2-1-1 @ 2-1-1 (from landline)
(262) 547-3388 (from cell phone) or toll free: (866) 211-3380.
What is Adult Protective Services:
Adult Protective Services (APS) is a unit within a County Human Services Department guided under WI State Statutes (46.90, Ch 54, and Ch 55)to investigate and intervene in reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults who are physically or mentally impaired and unable to protect themselves from harm. The goal is to link persons at risk, or currently experiencing, abuse and neglect with protective services to promote their quality of life. Determination of services are assessed by an individual’s needs and preferences. By doing this APS promotes safety, independence, and quality-of-life for older persons and persons with disabilities who are being mistreated or in danger of being mistreated, and who are unable to protect themselves. Every action taken by Adult Protective Services must balance the duty to protect the safety of the vulnerable adult with the adult’s right to self-determination.
Who We Serve:
Waukesha County Adult Protective Services works with adults (18 years and older) with disabilities and older adults (60 and older) residing in Waukesha County who are at risk and/or experiencing some form of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Wisconsin State Statute defines these target groups as:
Adult at Risk (a term defined in Wis. Stat. § 55.01(1e)) means any adult who has a physical or mental condition that substantially impairs his or her ability to care for his or her needs and who has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.
Elder Adult at Risk ( a term defined in Wis. Stat. § 46.90(1)(br)), means any person age 60 or older who has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.
What We Do:
ADULT AT RISK/ELDER AT RISK INVESTIGATIONS:
APS investigates concerns of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation as defined in the statutes (ch 46.90 and Ch55). The goal of investigations are to support a self-autonomy through linking to protective services or to provide protection and services for persons who are not competent and/or in need of protection.
COURT SERVICES:
APS will act as petitioner for civil court services including Guardianships, protective placements as an outcome of an investigation in order to protect and access services on the behalf of adults/elder adults at risk that are not competent or capable of providing for their own care.
APS staff provide comprehensive reports to Probate Court on all Protective Placement matters heard in Waukesha County.
APS staff provide an (WATTS Review) annual review of persons under guardianships who are protectively placed to ensure that placement and services are provided in the least restrictive level of care.
APS staff may act as petitioner for Waukesha County residents who are Medicaid eligible and/or have no involved family that require guardianship and/or protective placement for their essential care and custody.
TYPES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT
HOW TO REPORT ABUSE OR NEGLECT
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND INFORMATION
