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Division of Family and Children's Services Adult Protective Services Child/Adult Abuse Hot Line 1-800-222-8000 or (601) 359-4991 Licensed Care Facility Abuse MS Dept of Health 1-800-227-7308 or Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of State Attorney General 1-800-852-8341

What is Adult Protective Services (APS)? What is the Role and Authority of the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS)? What is a Vulnerable Adult? What are the types of adult maltreatment and indicators? How are reports made? Under the Vulnerable Adults Act, who is considered as a mandated reporter? Can a reporter remain anonymous? Will the reporter's name be kept confidential? How soon will an investigation be initiated by MDHS? What is the purpose of the investigation? What is Adult Protective Services? Adult Protective Services includes the process of investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults residing in private home settings, as well as any follow-up services provided to those vulnerable adults (by DFCS) as a result of the investigations.  Top What is the Role and Authority of the Mississippi Department of Human Services? The 1986 Mississippi Legislature enacted the "Mississippi Vulnerable Adults Act of 1986." The Act designates the Mississippi Department of Human Services as the state Agency to conduct investigations and/or evaluations pending the receipt of a report that a vulnerable adult, residing in a private home setting, is in need of protective services. The responsibility has been organizationally assigned by MDHS to its Division of Family and Children's Services. Top What is a Vulnerable Adult? A Vulnerable Adult is defined in the Mississippi Vulnerable Adults Act as: A person eighteen (18) years of age or older or any minor whose ability to perform the normal activities of daily living or to provide for his or her own care or protection is impaired due to a mental, emotional, physical, developmental disability or dysfunction, or  brain damage, or infirmities of aging. The term "vulnerable adult" also includes residents or patients, regardless of age, in a care facility.  Top What are the types of adult maltreatment and indicators? Physical Abuse: Indicators such as beating, slapping, kicking, rough handling, or other abuse causing welts, cuts, burns, abrasions, sprains, bruises, dislocations, fractures or broken bones. Neglect by Caregiver/Others: Indicators such as lack of supervision, failure to give medicine, food or personal care, not attending to bed sores. Self-Neglect: Indicators such as inability to provide self-care (i.e. cook, eat, bath), overmedication/undermedication, untreated medical or mental conditions, aimless wandering, causing fires. Psychological/Emotional Abuse: Indicators such as verbal threats or insults, cursing, belittling, withholding companionship or isolation. Sexual Abuse: Indicators such as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), pregnancy, bruises, bleeding, pain or itching in genital or anal areas, difficulty in walking or sitting. Financial Abuse/Exploitation: Indicators such as mismanaging money or stealing property, savings, credit cards, unusual activity in bank accounts, misuse of assets by a representative payee. Top How are reports made? Report abuse occurring in home settings or unlicensed facilities that do not require a license to operate (e.g. unlicensed boarding homes) by calling the local county Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) or the Child/Adult Abuse Hotline at 1-800-222-8000. Report abuse occurring within licensed care facilities (nursing home, personal care homes) to the Mississippi Department of Health at 1-800-227-7308 and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Office of the State Attorney General, at 1-800-852-8341. Top Under the Vulnerable Adults Act, who is considered as a mandated reporter? The Vulnerable Adults Act mandates that any person, including but not limited to the following, who knows or suspects that a vulnerable adult has been or is being abused, neglected, or exploited, shall immediately file a report: Attorney, physician, osteopathic physician, medical examiner, chiropractic or nurse engaged in the admission, treatment or care of a vulnerable adult; Health professional or mental health professional; Social worker or other professional adult, care residential or institutional staff; State, county or municipal criminal justice employee or law enforcement officer; Human rights advocacy committee or long-term care ombudsman council member; Accountant, stockbroker, financial advisor, or consultant, insurance agent or consultant, investment advisor or consultant, financial planner, or officer employee of a bank, savings and loan, credit union or other financial services provider. Top Can a reporter remain anonymous? Anonymous reports are accepted.  However, any person or entity holding or required to hold a license as specified in Title 73, Professions and Vocations, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall be required to give his, hers or its name, address and telephone number in the report of the alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation. Top Will the reporter's name be kept confidential? Yes, the reporter's name is kept confidential by MDHS. Top How soon will an investigation be initiated by MDHS? Investigations are initiated within 24-48 hours, unless extenuating circumstances exist. If an emergency exists, please call local law enforcement officials. Top What is the purpose of the investigation? The purpose of the investigation is to determine the validity of the report and to assess the need for protective services. Services from the Department are intended to safeguard a vulnerable adult's rights and maintain the well-being of the adult. Top Note: The Division of Family and Children's Services staff provides information and referral services as needed.