APS Law
In West Virginia, state law establishes specific requirements about protection of vulnerable adults Specifically, the Department of Human Resources (DHHR) is charged with the responsibility of implementing the system of adult protective services. The goals identified in the statutes include the following:
- Assisting adults who are abused, neglected or incapacitated in achieving or maintaining self sufficiency, and self support, and preventing, eliminating or reducing their dependency on the state; [§9-6-2(1)]
- Preventing, reducing and eliminating neglect and abuse of adults who are unable to protect their own interests; [§9-6-2(2)]
- Preventing and reducing institutional care of adults by providing less intensive forms of care, preferably in the home; [§9-6-2(3)]
- Referring and admitting abused, neglected or incapacitated adults to institutional care only where other available services are inappropriate; [§9-6-2(4)]
- Providing services and monitoring to adults in institutions designed to assist adults in returning to community settings; [§9-6-2(5)]
- Preventing, reducing and eliminating the exploitation of incapacitated adults and facility residents through the joint efforts of the various agencies of the department of health and human resources, the adult protective services system, the state and regional long-term care ombudsman, administrators of nursing homes or other residential facilities and county prosecutors; (effective June 10, 2000) [§9-6-2(6)]
- Preventing, reducing and eliminating abuse and neglect of residents in nursing homes or facilities; (effective June 10, 2000) [§9-6-2(7)] and,
- Coordinating investigation activities for complaints of abuse and neglect of incapacitated adults and facility residents among the various agencies of the department of health and human resources, the adult protective services system, the state and regional long-term care ombudsman, administrators of nursing homes or other residential facilities, county prosecutors, if necessary, and other state or federal agencies to fulfill the objectives of the system of adult protective services. (effective June 10, 2000) [§9-6-2(8)]
