New Research on Strengthening APS Programs

Adult protective services (APS) programs can look very different from one state to another. A new study co-authored by TriMetrix staff explores how APS investigation and quality assurance practices vary across the country and highlights opportunities to strengthen consistency and program quality.

Four TriMetrix staff members, Gila Shusterman, Karl Urban, Erin Barker, and Juan Nunez, partnered with Zachary Gassoumis from UTHealth Houston to publish the article, “Categorizing adult protective services programs by investigation and quality assurance practices,” in the Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect.

Using national APS data, the study found clear differences in how programs approach training, investigations, documentation, and oversight. The research identified that some APS programs have more standardized investigation and quality assurance practices, including specialized staff, stronger training requirements, formal case reviews, and partnerships with outside experts and service providers.

The findings suggest that newer federal regulations and funding opportunities could help APS programs strengthen consistency, improve investigations, and expand quality assurance efforts while the field continues building evidence around best practices. Programs with more robust quality assurance practices also tended to receive higher reporting and service rates, highlighting the potential impact of stronger program infrastructure.

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Suggested citation:

Shusterman, G. R., Urban, K. G., Nunez, J. J., Barker, E. K., & Gassoumis, Z. D. (2026). Categorizing adult protective services programs by investigation and quality assurance practices. Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/08946566.2026.2652869