About APS

The Department for Community Based Services (DCBS), Adult Protective Services investigates all known or suspected incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult as defined in KRS 209.020 (4).

Each type of report is considered for investigation or preventive services and all adults are offered preventive services in an attempt to ensure the safety and well-being of the adult while protecting the adult’s right to self-determination and due process.

All adults are offered protective services and may accept or refuse services.

Adult protective services also provides voluntary general adult services, preventive services aimed at assisting an adult in attaining self sufficiency and autonomy at their highest functional level and maintaining the adult in the community. General adult services may be requested by the adult or at the direction of the adult who needs services.

Help With Adult Maltreatment

Any person, including but not limited to physician, law enforcement officer, nurse, social worker, Cabinet personnel, coroner, medical examiner, alternate care facility employee or caretaker, having reasonable cause to suspect that an adult has suffered abuse, neglect or exploitation, is required report or cause reports to be made. Death of the adult does not relieve one of the responsibility to report the circumstances surrounding the death.

DCBS will work with law enforcement and other agencies to investigate the report and provide needed protective services if accepted by the adult.

​The online Kentucky Child/Adult Protective Services Reporting System​ is available to report non-emergency situations that do not require an immediate response from DCBS staff. The website is monitored 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday. Reports will not be reviewed during evenings, weekends or state holidays.