National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA)
22
6
"Up" is the number of experts who agree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in the
field. "Down" is the number of experts who disagree that the nonprofit has had the most impact in field.
Headquarters Location: Springfield, IL
Founded: 1989
Mission: The mission of National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) is to strengthen the capacity of Adult Protective Services (APS), at the national, state, and local levels, to effectively and efficiently recognize, report and respond to the needs of elders and adults with disabilities who are victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and to prevent such abuse whenever possible.
Summary
Stories
Expert Reviews
Leadership
From the Nonprofit
Leadership
Kathleen Quinn.
Kathleen Quinn is the director of the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA), a nonprofit organization which provides the only national voice for Adult Protective Serivces programs, professionals, and clients. She has more than 30 years of experience in the family violence field, one decade in domestice violence at the state level in Illinois, where she was the APS Administrator…
See full bio.
Financial Data
Overhead Ratio:
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Total Revenue:
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From the Nonprofit
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Contact Info
Address:
920 South Spring St - Suite 1200, % Joanna Marlatt Otto
Springfield, IL 62704, USA
Story:
A growing frustration with lack of resources, coupled with lack of federal leadership and a sense of personal and professional isolation sparked the formation of the National Association of Adult Protective Services Administrators (NAAPSA) in the late 1980’s. Led by Judy Rouse, Texas, and Marilyn Whalen, Tennessee, a steering committee representing fourteen states started an informal support group and idea exchange. In 1987, with support from the Texas Department of Human Services, the first networking meeting was convened. By 1989, it included representatives from most of the states (Whalen, 1999). One of the first official NAAPSA activities was to present a list of issues affecting the state adult protective services programs to the American Public Welfare Association (APWA) Social Services Committee. These issues included: involuntary services; guardianship vs least restrictive intervention; lack of national recognition for adult protective services; the need for national data collection; the increase in the number of younger adults in need of protective services; the lack of abuse curricula in social work schools; crisis intervention Vs long term casework; workloads; clients with AIDS; homelessness; mandatory reporting and the aging out of disturbed and disabled children from the child welfare system (Rouse, 1989).
In 1990 NAAPSA adopted by-laws, elected officers and held the first formal national training conference for state adult protective services administrators. The focus of the organization was on building members’ expertise by sharing information from the various states. (NAAPSA minutes 1990). In addition, “The most comprehensive study to date of self-neglect was conducted by NAAPSA and was released in 1991.” (Tatara, 1993) (Duke, 1991)
By 1995 NAAPSA was incorporated, had dues paying members, and saw a resolution adopted by APWA acknowledging that self-neglect was a legitimate category of adult abuse (Whalen, 1999). NAAPSA members were now being included on a regular basis on national advisory boards and as presenters at national meetings. In the following year NAAPSA completed a nationwide survey of adult protective services workload standards which has been instrumental in setting workloads in several states (NAAPSA, 1997).
In 1994 NAAPSA conducted a national survey on behalf of APWA. Of 47 states responding to the survey, 79% indicated that they supported a federal statute requiring state adult protective services programs to serve eligible adults age 18 and older, 96% indicated that such a statute should include self-neglecting clients, 60% supported mandatory reporting requirements and 98% of the respondents stated that a federal statute should include funding to the states (APWA Report).
NAAPSA members participated in a series of national meetings on elder rights which were sponsored by the Administration on Aging in 1997 (AoA Faculty Notes). The presence of local adult protective services staff as well as NAAPSA representatives at these meetings did much to increase the visibility of the program as an important player in the elder rights initiative.
In 1998, NAAPSA became a full partner in the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) funded by the Administration on Aging. NAAPSA joined five other organizations, the National State Units on Aging, the American Bar Association Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly; the Golden Institute on Aging; the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the University of Delaware in developing and providing information materials, public information, training, technical assistance, research and policy recommendations. As the organization representing the service delivery sphere, NAAPSA brought a wealth of practice based experience to the Center (NASUA). Partnership in the Center has also increased the visibility of adult protective services at the national level.
Currently, NAAPSA’S NCEA activities include conducting a Baseline Study of State APS Programs. Information on states’ data management systems, training activities, responses to cases of financial exploitation have been collected. This information, in addition to a report on problems facing state APS programs and the resources needed to provide better services to abused adults will be presented at a National Policy Summit Conference on Elder Abuse in Washington, D.C. in December 2001.
NAAPSA members have already completed a statement of Ethical Principles and Best Practice Guidelines for the delivery of Adult Protective Services. Best practice recommendations for casework activities and community collaboration are also being developed. This fall, NAAPSA reviewed a year long study of Ohio’s APS Delivery System conducted by the Ohio State University College of Social Work, and to make recommendations based on our expertise in this area.
In addition, NAAPSA members are being invited to present as the experts on Adult Protective Services at numerous national conferences as well as to testify in Washington, D.C. at Senate Subcommittee hearings.
Expert Reviews of National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA)
Evidence of Impact Summary:
National Adult Protective Services has fulfilled a unique role in advocating for the better treatment of disabled and vulnerable elders. They have provide direct services and have also pushed for policy reform through their advocacy efforts.See expert comments.
Organization Strengths Summary:
Experts have noted that this organization has been effective due to its dedicated leadership and its clear mission to assist an often-ignored group of older adults.See expert comments.
Areas for Improvement Summary:
NAPSA could strengthen its impact with greater funding and more visibility among the general American public.See expert comments.
Expert Comments: Evidence of Impact
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Influential Among Other Agencies |
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For over 20 years, NAPSA has filled the void left by the absence of federal resources or direct funding for state and local adult protective services programs. NAPSA represents senior adult protective services officials from 49 states and hundreds of other APS and allied professionals before the most significant national organizations and forums in the country. They include the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Administration on Aging, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Elder Justice Coalition, National Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, National Association of State Units on Aging and Disability, academic and policy experts, the national media, and others. NAPSA sponsors, organizes and hosts the only annual national conference focused entirely on the abuse, neglect and exploitation of the elderly and individuals with disabilities. | ||
Leading Advocate for Elders and Vulnerable Adults at National Level |
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NAPSA is the leading national advocate for comprehensive, quality protective services for elders and vulnerable adults who are abused, neglected, or exploited. They have worked to bring the issue of elder abuse to national prominence by making lawmakers as well as the public aware of the problem, its magnitude, and urgency. NAPSA's efforts led to a GAO study on Adult Protective Services' response to abuse victims and paved the way for federal legislation to protect and assist victims. NAPSA also works to educate and empower victims, their families, and those who work with them, as well as working to improve and expand the services provided to victims through Adult Protective Services. | ||
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NAPSA is the only national organization which represents and speaks for Adult Protective Services (APS) programs, professionals, and clients. APS is the only system whose responsibility it is to provide direct services to elder and vulnerable abuse clients. APS is the hub service around which other services to these clients pivot. | ||
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NAPSA provides a voice, the only voice, for the adult protective services field at national professional forums, hearings, etc. They sponsor an annual conference that is highly regarded in the adult protection network. | ||
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The work done at the national level to help support the passage of the Elder Justice Act has been great. They also bring the voice and issues of state adult protective services to the national level. | ||
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This national nonprofit has been a longstanding leader in protecting vulnerable adults and elders through advocacy and public policy. | ||
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This organization has been a steady, consistent advocate for public awareness and national commitment to protecting vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation. As the population of older people continues to increase and patterns of family engagement continue to change, it is imperative that our nation focus attention on social justice issues that impact aging and vulnerability. | ||
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NAPSA has been strongest and most consistent voice for recognition of the epidemic of elder abuse at the national level and was instrumental in passage of the Elder Justice Act. | ||
Successful Reform |
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This agency provides legislative advocacy for victims of elder and vulnerable adult abuse. Last year it was the driving force for the passage of the Elder Justice Act. This agency also provide expert technical assistance to Adult Protective Services workers through the development of evidence-based/ expert-evaluated training. It is currently evaluating curricula to train workers on the 23 core competencies for APS workers. | ||
Expert Comments: Organization Strengths
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Highly Qualified Leadership and Staff |
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NAPSA's board of directors includes top state APS officials and experts in the field from across the nation. Board committees on public policy and education have played significant roles in educating policymakers and translating research into practice, enabling NAPSA to play a strong role in the passage of the Elder Justice Act. and support development of two dozen training modules available to state and local APS workers and supervisors. NAPSA Executive Director Kathleen Quinn, a former Illinois APS official, and Senior Policy Adviser Bill Benson, a former Congressional staffer, are well known and highly respected at the national and state levels both with practitioners, strategic partners and policymakers. Both have given well regarded testimony before Congressional committees, including the Senate Special Committee on Aging's widely reported hearing featuring Mickey Rooney. They have represented the APS field in high-level meetings with key Congressional staffers and top officials of federal aging and justice agencies. Their strategic insight and professional credibility have been instrumental in collaborations on projects such as the Government Accountability Office report on state APS programs. | ||
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This organization has excellent leadership and a broad-based, active membership. They have members in all 50 states and US territories. The employees and much of the membership have a passion for the issue and live the organization's mission. They are dedicated, tenacious, and knowledgeable about elder abuse and work relentlessly to improve the lives its victims. | ||
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They have a very active and engaged board, committee structure and senior staff. They are extremely credible -- members include senior APS officials in 50 states. | ||
Clear Mission |
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NAPSA's mission is to strengthen the capacity of APS, at the national, state, and local levels, to effectively and efficiently recognize, report, and respond to the needs of elders and adults with disabilities who are victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and to prevent such abuse whenever possible. NAPSA is the only national organization which hosts an annual conference on vulnerable adults and elder abuse. NAPSA provides periodic news updates, and dissemination of information. It conducts surveys and reports on APS services and needs. | ||
Wide Member Base |
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They have been very successful in generating broad-based participation for its programs, which include training, research, and advocacy. APS is the service of last resort for vulnerable adults in most communities. With budget cuts and program retrenchments, their voice needs to be heard. | ||
Effective Collaborations |
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They have succeeded due to their relationships with national level leaders in aging as well as leadership and vision for the current and future needs for adult protective services field. | ||
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This is a strong organization due to the collaboration and advocacy efforts of its leader, Kathleen Quinn. | ||
Effective Internal Structure |
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NAPSA brings together a wide range of subject matter experts to address touchy questions about elder and vulnerable adult abuse. One of its committees is making recommendations to bring research and practice together so each can inform the other since there is very little practical evidence available for APS workers. Its conference committee puts together a first rate conference every year, and it's education committee evaluate curricula and help develop needed curricula. | ||
Highly Qualified & Dedicated Staff |
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This organization is fairly young, however their staff is small but highly qualified and dedicated. | ||
Expert Comments: Areas for Improvement
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More Education |
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Like many nonprofit associations, NAPSA has reached a turning point where diversification of board members beyond adult protective services community would broaden its reach. NAPSA should strengthen its role in educating the public on how to recognize and report abuse, neglect, and financial or sexual exploitation of vulnerable adults. | ||
Higher Visibility |
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This group needs to do a better job in advocating for themselves. They are marginally financed and often have to rely too heavily on volunteers to get the work of the organization done. They also need to improve their marketing skills to do a better job raising funds. | ||
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Elder abuse and abuse of younger adults with disabilities is a significant and growing problem. APS is a largely unknown social safety net program; people do not know where to call for help or what help will be provided. APS programs rely totally on state and local funding decisions, as there is no designated federal funding for APS. APS programs budgets have, in many localities, been cut every year for the past several years, and continue to be reduced even further. Elder abuse and abuse of younger adults with disabilities is a growing problem. APS is a largely unknown social safety net program; people don't know where to call fro help or what help will be provided. Within the aging network NAPSA is seen as small and struggling due to lack of recognition by the general public. NAPSA needs to be marketed to raise awareness. Within the aging network NAPSA is not seen for what it represents. With very limited resources, NAPSA host the national conference. | ||
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The only improvement I recommend for this successful organization is that more funding is needed in order to improve its visibility. | ||
More Internal Organization |
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NAPSA could benefit from organizational capacity development to professionalize key functions such as its website and promotional materials. It could also benefit from assistance in packaging its services to generate revenue. The materials are excellent, practice based, and could be a source of support with proper marketing. | ||
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NAPSA needs to develop a stronger infrastructure in order to go after larger government based grants. | ||
More Resources |
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They need additional funding and staffing. | ||
Increase Branding & Marketing |
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The organization could use assistance branding and marketing itself to reach a wider population. | ||
More Resource at Federal Level |
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NAPSA is hampered by the lack of a "home," funding, program office or resource centers at the federal level. | ||
Leadership
Kathleen Quinn
Executive Director
Executive Director
From the Nonprofit
The nonprofit has not added any comments yet. If you are a representative of this nonprofit and would like to leave a comment, please email us at
feedback@myphilanthropedia.org
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