45 CFR §1324.403

1. (a)Screening, triaging, and decision-making criteria or protocols to review and assign adult maltreatment and self-neglect reports for APS investigation and/or to report to other authorities;
2. (b)Tools and/or decision-making processes for APS to review reports of adult maltreatment and self-neglect for any emergency needs of the adult and for immediate safety and risk factors affecting the adult or APS worker when responding to the report and;
3. (c)Practices during investigations to collect information and evidence to support findings on allegations, and service planning that will:
   1. (1)Recognize that acceptance of APS services is voluntary, except where mandated by State law;
   2. (2)Ensure the safety of APS client and worker;
   3. (3)Ensure the preservation of a client's rights;
   4. (4)Integrate principles of person-directedness and trauma-informed approaches;
   5. (5)Maximize engagement with the APS client, and;
   6. (6)Permit APS the emergency use of APS funds to buy goods and services;
   7. (7)Permit APS to seek emergency protective action only as appropriate and necessary as a measure of last resort to protect the life and safety of the client.
4. (d)Methods to make findings on allegations and record case findings, including:
   1. (1)Ability for APS programs to consult with appropriate experts, other team members, and supervisors;
   2. (2)Protocols for the standards of evidence APS should apply when making a finding on allegations.
5. (e)Provision of and/or referral to services, as appropriate, that:
   1. (1)Respect the autonomy and authority of clients to make their own life choices;
   2. (2)Respect the client's views about safety, quality of life, and success;
   3. (3)Develop any service plan or referrals in consultation with the client;
   4. (4)Engage community partners through referrals for services or purchase of services where services are not directly provided by APS, and;
6. (f)Case handling criteria that:
   1. (1)Establish timeframes for on-going review of open cases;
   2. (2)Establish a reasonable length of time by which investigations should be completed and findings be made; and
   3. (3)Document, at a minimum:
      1. (i)The APS response;
      2. (ii)Significant changes in client status;
      3. (iii)Assessment of safety and risk at case closure; and
      4. (iv)The reason to close the case.