DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Adult Services
Adult Protective Service
​In providing services to impaired adults, it is required for Protective Services for Adults to work with agencies dealing with aging, medical and mental health, legal issues, and law enforcement.
Services available by Protective Services for Adults include:
    • Investigation and assessment of the adult's needs and risk of harm
    • Counseling for the victimized adult and their family
    • Advocacy and case management services including arranging for medical and mental health assessments, applying for benefits and assuring coordinated delivery services
    • Financial management services, including serving as representative payee
    • Homemaker and housekeeper chore services, within specified limits
    • Crisis interventions, such as securing access orders, involuntary protective service orders and orders of protection
    • Long-term legal interventions, such as pursuing guardianship

What are the eligibility criteria for Adult Protective Services?
Adult Protective Services is available to anyone 18 years of age and older, without regard to income, who:
  • Has a physical or mental impairment and
  • Are in need of protection from actual or threatened harm due to an inability to meet their own essential needs such as food, clothing, shelter or medical care, or protect themselves from physical, emotional or sexual abuse, self-neglect or financial exploitation, and
  • Has no one else willing and able to assist responsibility.


What services are available?
  • Investigations/Assessments to determine risk factors, needs and services
  • Home visits-determined by level of services/interventions needed
  • Assistance with obtaining benefits from the Department of Social Services and other alternative agencies or community-based organizations.
  • Money Management-Representative Payee
  • Referral for legal services
  • Referral to other community-based and county agencies for services
  • Services to obtain guardianship
  • In-Home Applications
  • Ongoing case management services based on level of risk or need


How to make a referral?
  • Anyone can make a referral to Adult Protective Services
  • Social Services Law 457.9 provides immunity from civil liability for any individual who makes a referral to Adult Protective Services in good faith.
  • When making a referral please provide the person's name and address and the concerns or risk impacting the individual.  Include as much identifying information as possible, such as, DOB, social security number, name of family members or friends, doctor's name and banking institute.  All this information is not required to make a referral but is helpful.
  • Call the Columbia county Department of Social Services at (518) 828-9411 and ask to speak to an Adult Services Intake Worker.


Other Services to Adults:

Preventive Services - least restrictive form of assistance for individuals who do not meet Adult Protective Criteria but still require help.
  • Representative Payee - financial management for Social Security Money or Railroad pension.
  • Home Management - monitor and assist with house condition or other home concerns.
  • Residential Placement - assist an individual who is in need of a higher level of care from the community setting.
        Family Type Homes Medicaid Home Care
  • To qualify for Home Care services through the Department you must be in receipt of Medicaid (not through managed care).  For more information on eligibility information contact the Temporary Assistance Unit here at the Department.
  • You must have a medical need that can be certified by your physician.
  • You must be a resident of Columbia County.
         What programs are available through Home Care?
  • Personal Care (Level 1) - task orientated aide services, such as household chores, cooking and shopping.  Cannot have a skilled nursing need.  Assessments, aides and social work services are provided by Home Care Agencies that are contracted with the Department.
  • Consumer Direct Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) - you manage your own care, once the assessment is completed to determine the level of care.  You hire, train, supervise and dismiss your own aides.  Must pick a fiscal provider.  Reassessments are completed by Adult Service Staff every six months.
  • Care At Home - this program is for severely medically frail children, who would otherwise require nursing home level care in a facility.
To make a referral for any of these Home Care programs, or if you have further questions please call (518) 828-9411 and asked to speak to an Adult Services Intake Worker.

LINKS:
OCFS-Bureau of Adult Services 
Adult Protective Services FAQ 
Columbia County Office of Aging
NY Connects, Columbia County
Health Care Consortium, Columbia County
Department of Health, Columbia County