Adult Protective Services (APS)

Adult Protective Services (APS) receives reports from the public and from mandated reporters about possible abuse of elders or dependent adults and responds appropriately to assess the safety and well-being. Reports are reviewed by trained social workers and investigated as deemed appropriate. Social workers are available 24/7 to respond to crisis situations needing immediate response. When individuals are found to be at risk of harm or in need of intervention to ensure their safety, services are offered and referrals are made to appropriate agencies or programs.

• Elders – age 60 or older

• Dependent Adults – age 18 to 59 with physical or mental limitations which restrict their ability to carry out normal daily activities, or prohibit them from protecting themselves from abuse  

To report* suspected abuse or neglect in Fresno County, contact the APS Careline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

*Mandated Reporters - required forms for reporting elder/dependent adult abuse are on the Mandated Reporters tab.

If you need to report abuse about someone who is residing in a licensed care facility, you can report your concerns to the Fresno-Madera Long Term Care Ombudsman.  

By law, certain professions are required to report suspected abuse or neglect of elders and dependent adults. Reports must be made by telephone within 24 hours and followed up within 48 hours on a Report of Suspected Dependent Adult or Elder Abuse form (SOC 341) available below or by request to the hotline.

• Report of Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse (SOC 341).pdf(PDF, 320KB)

• Reporte de Sospecha de Abuso de Adultos Dependientes/Personas de Edad Avanzada (SOC 341).pdf(PDF, 318KB)

Mandated reporters from financial institutions must use this form:

• Report of Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Financial Abuse (SOC 342)(PDF, 255KB)

Fax completed forms to:

(559) 600-7656

If unable to fax, mail the form to:  

DSS – APS

 PO Box 1912 

Fresno, CA 93718-1912

Mandated Reporter e-Learning

New to working with elders and/or dependent adults?  Need a refresher?  

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has a Mandated Reporters online e-learning that explains the role and duty of individuals who are mandated reporters of elder and/or dependent adult abuse by law.

Physical Abuse

The non-accidental use of physical force that results or could have resulted in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment.

Sexual Abuse

• Nonconsensual sexual contact of any kind.  It includes but is not limited to:
• Unwanted touching
• All types of sexual assault or battery such as rape, sodomy, and coerced nudity
•  Sexually explicit photographing
•  Forced exposure to pornography
•  Unwanted sexual relations with a spouse, partner, significant other or anyone else

Financial Abuse

The illegal or improper use of a client’s funds, property or assets for personal gain or benefit. 

Neglect

Defined as the refusal or failure to fulfill any part of a person’s obligations or duties to another individual.

Self-Neglect

An adult’s refusal or failure to perform essential self-care tasks.

Psychological Abuse (Mental Suffering)

The infliction of fear, anguish, agitation, or other emotional distress through verbal or nonverbal acts. 

Abandonment

Intentionally leaving or forsaking an individual.

Isolation

The purposeful prevention of communication between an individual and others without the individual’s consent or knowledge when the action is not in the individual’s best interest.

Abduction

The malicious taking or enticing away of an individual from California or keeping the individual from returning to California, when the individual lacks the capacity to consent or without consent of the conservator.

Your Rights Under the APS Program

If you feel that any of your rights have been violated, please call: (800) 884-1684.

APS "Know Your Rights Brochures (PUB 470):  

English | Arabic | Armenian | Cambodian | Chinese | Farsi-Dari | Hindi | Hmong | Japanese | Korean | Lao | Mien | Portuguese | Punjabi | Russian | Spanish | Tagalog | Thai | Ukrainian | Vietnamese |

Large Print Versions

Arabic | Armenian | Cambodian | Chinese | Farsi-Dari | Hmong | Korean | Russian | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese |

• You have the right to refuse any and all services offered by Adult Protective Services (APS) at any time. However, if the APS worker believes you do not understand the risks of refusing help, they may refer you for additional services. Additionally, APS is required to complete their investigation if there is reason to believe that a crime has been committed.
• You have the right to timely referrals for needed services (as appropriate and available).
• You have the right to a copy of your service plan and any information you provided to your APS worker. Information gathered from other people and agencies will not be released.
• You have the right to have your information kept confidential. Because of this right, you may be asked to sign a release of information to allow APS to speak to others about your situation or to coordinate services for you.
• Although you have the right to confidentiality, there are certain laws that allow limited exceptions. The most common exceptions include but are not limited to:

• APS is required to make a report to law enforcement if APS believes that you are the victim of a crime.
• APS may involve law enforcement or medical or mental health professionals if you appear to be a danger to yourself or others.
• APS may make a referral to the Public Guardian if you appear to lack the ability to make your own decisions (for example, if you are suffering from dementia or are seriously disabled and in need of treatment).
• APS may call for emergency medical help if you appear to be too ill to understand that you need immediate medical treatment.
• APS must provide documents when ordered to do so by the court.

In any of these situations, APS may provide some of your information without your permission.

Please note that you do NOT have a right to know the identity of the person who asked us to check on your safety. That person’s right to confidentiality is protected by law.