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Adult Protective Services

Adult Protective Services (APS) addresses the safety and well-being of older adults, age 60 and over. We investigate reports of suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation and coordinate services to protect those who have been identified as being victimized.

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

  • Bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations, rope marks, fractures
  • Untreated injuries in various stages of healing
  • An elder's report of being hit, slapped, kicked, raped or mistreated
  • An elder's sudden change in behavior, including being emotionally upset, agitated or extremely withdrawn
  • A caregiver's refusal to allow visitors to see an elder alone
  • Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
  • Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bed sores or poor hygiene
  • Hazardous or unsafe living conditions (such as improper wiring, no heat, no running water, extreme clutter, hoarding, trash, animals)
  • Bills unpaid despite adequate resources
  • Improper or inadequate clothing, lack of necessary medical aids, such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, walker, wheelchair, etc.
  • The desertion of an elder at a public location such as a mall or senior citizen center

Signs of Exploitation

  • Sudden changes in bank account practices, including unexplained withdrawals of large amounts by a person accompanying an elder
  • Abrupt changes in a will or other legal or financial documents
  • Unexplained disappearance of funds or other valuable resources or possessions
  • Discovery of an elder's signature being forged for financial purposes or for the transfer of titles, etc.
  • Unexplained sudden transfers of assets to a family member or someone outside the family

Helpful Links

Public Assistance

Public assistance refers to government programs that provide funding to communities, individuals and families in need. Examples include: Cash Assistance, Food Assistance, Medicaid, Child Care Assistance, Transportation Assistance and Fraud.

OhioMeansJobs

Our strong partnership with many state and local organizations offer opportunities to job seekers in their path to finding rewarding employment while assisting employers in building a successful workforce.

Child Support

Child Support is money paid by a parent, who isn’t living with his or her children, to help cover the cost of their care. Child Support helps guarantee that children’s basic needs are met: from food, shelter and clothes to education, transportation and medical expenses.

Protective Services

We provide protective services to the elderly and children who are in danger of harm, unable to protect themselves, and/or have no one else to assist them. SCOJFS is mandated to investigate and evaluate all reports of suspected abuse and neglect.