Adult Protective and Community Services Branch

The Adult Protective and Community Services Branch (APCSB) provides protective services for vulnerable adults and home and community-based services to prevent premature institutionalization of clients.

Adult Protective Services (APS) is a mandated service of APCSB that provides crisis intervention, without regard to income, including investigation and emergency services for vulnerable adults who are reported to be abused, neglected or financially exploited by others or seriously endangered due to self-neglect.  A vulnerable adult is a person eighteen years of age or older, who because of mental, developmental, or physical impairment, is unable to:  communicate or make responsible decisions to manage the person’s own care or resources; carry out or arrange for essential activities of daily living; or protect oneself from abuse.

Highlights of the Adult Protective Services (APS) Law  State law (HRS Chapter 346, Part X) requires certain professionals to report vulnerable adult abuse; all others are encouraged to report.  The reporter may remain anonymous and is immune from liability for making the report.  To make a report call:

To report abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation of vulnerable adults:  Call the Statewide APS Reporting Line at (808) 832-5115. 

Report Adult Abuse and Neglect 

To file a report of suspected abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult, complete the online DHS 1640 WEB “Report Form for Vulnerable Adult Abuse” by clicking on the “complete report” button below.

This form can be used by those who are mandated by Hawai’i state law to report abuse and neglect, as well as the general public. Prior to completing the DHS 1640 WEB “Report Form for Vulnerable Adult Abuse”, you may wish to review the mandated or non-mandated “Tips on Navigating the Online Report Form” by clicking on the appropriate link below.

 


Complete Report

Descriptions and Eligibility for Adult Services and Programs (see below)
Adult Services Application Forms

Adult Foster Care Program

Adult Foster Care Program provides placement and case management services to eligible clients in licensed adult residential care homes. To receive adult foster care services, an individual must be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), financial or Medicaid assistance from the Department.

Senior Companion Program

Senior Companion Program is a part-time volunteer program that enrolls eligible low-income seniors statewide to provide in-home companionship and limited personal care to frail elders and respite to caregivers.  To apply to be a Senior Companion, an individual must be at least 55 years of age, physically able to volunteer 20 hours per week, and meet income and other program requirements.  To receive Senior Companion Services, an individual or family must meet program related requirements.  To become a companion, apply for services, or for more information about this program, call the Senior Companion Program office on Oahu at (808) 832-0340. Get more information here.

Foster Grandparent Program

Foster Grandparent Program is a volunteer program that recruits eligible low-income seniors statewide to assist children with special and exceptional needs in child-care and school settings.  To be a foster grandparent, an individual must be at least 55 years of age, commit to volunteering a minimum of 15 hours per week, and meet income and other program requirements. Foster Grandparent volunteers in return receive a nontaxable stipend, meal allowance, travel reimbursement, and paid vacation and sick leave. To receive the services of a foster grandparent, a child must be 21 years old or younger (persons with developmental disabilities who meet specific criteria may continue to receive services beyond their 21st birthday), have special or exceptional needs, and meet other program requirements.  To become a foster grandparent, apply for services, or for more information about this program, call the Foster Grandparent Program office on Oahu at (808) 832-5169.

Transportation Assistance for Resident Aliens and Naturalized Citizens

Transportation Assistance for Resident Aliens and Naturalized Citizens provides help to residents of the state who are 60 years of age or older and an alien or naturalized citizen to return to their homelands outside of the United States.  To receive this service, an individual must be eligible for financial assistance from the Department or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and must meet other program related requirements.

Courtesy Services
Courtesy Services provides direct services at the request of an individual or other social service agency when there are no other resources available.  Services are limited to answering out-of-state and other inquiries about persons known to the Department; social assessments at the request of out-of-state agencies; determining appropriateness for domiciliary care placement; and repatriation for U.S. citizens and dependents.  To receive these services, an individual must meet specific financial and program related requirements.
Community Care Foster Family Homes, Case Management Agencies, and Adult Day Care Centers 

The Department of Health (DOH), Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA), State Licensing Section has regulatory authority on community care foster family homes (CCFFH), case management agencies (CMA), and adult day care centers (ADCC).  OHCA has designated Community Ties of America (CTA) to perform the licensing and certification activities.  For information on how to become a CCFFH, CMA, or ADCC, or to file a complaint regarding services, contact CTA at:  Community Ties of America, Inc., 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-400, Honolulu, HI 96813; (808) 234-5380 (Local), or (808) 234-5470 (Fax).

 

Nurse Aide Training and Re-certificationThe Department, as the Medicaid Agency, is the agency within the State that establishes the curriculum requirements for State certification of Nurse Aide Training Programs (NATPs) and determines the contents of the Competency Evaluation programs.   The Medicaid Agency determines whether a NATP qualifies to be a State-certified NATP.  For information, call Lori Tsuruda at (808) 586-7752, 1010 Richards Street, Room 216, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.

Competency Evaluations are included in certified NATPs.  These programs are then referred to as Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Programs (NATCEPs).  Please visit https://medquest.hawaii.gov/en/plans-providers/certification-programs.html or Community Ties of America, Inc. https://www.comties.com/regulatory-services.

for NATCEP curriculum requirements and instructions and format for the submission of the written NATCEP curriculum.

For a Competency Evaluation and Registered Nurse (RN) Evaluator application, click the links below:

Department of Human Services Nurse Aide Competency/Proficiency Evaluation (DHS 1646) Form

DHS 1646 Instructions

Registered Nurse Evaluator for Nurse Aide Competency/Proficiency Evaluation (DHS 1646a) Form

DHS 1646a Instructions