Adult Protective Services is a state and federally mandated investigative unit and is statutorily authorized under state and tribal law to receive and investigate reports of adults at risk (ages 18-59) and the elderly (ages 60+).
 
For Adult Protective Services to get involved there must be one of the following abuse categories suspected to be occurring:

• self-neglect
• physical abuse
• emotional abuse
• financial abuse
• neglect by others
• sexual abuse 

In addition to an abuse category, the individual must also have a disability such as the following:

• developmental disability
• frail elder
• physical disability
• mental illness
• dementia
• brain injury 

All referrals made to Adult Protective Services are confidential.
 
Brown County Adult Protective Services are first responders for immediate health and safety of care facilities in Brown County, including but not limited to nursing homes, Community Based Residential Facilities (CBRF), Adult Family Homes, Day Programs, and Supportive Home Care providers. Adult Protective Services is responsible for responding to facilities certified/licensed by the state as well as facilities certified by the Managed Care Organizations which include Lakeland, Inclusa and My Choice.
 
The role of Adult Protective Services is to ensure immediate health and safety of residents while working with the state of Wisconsin’s Division of Quality Assurance, Ombudsman, Managed Care Organizations, Law Enforcement and others.
 
Adult Protective Services Include:

• Investigating Reports of Abuse and Neglect
• Adult Guardianship and Protective Placement/Services