Areas of Protection
- Financial Exploitation
- Being forced to sign over money (Social Security checks, pension checks, savings accounts, etc.)
- Being forced to sign over property such as the victim’s home or other real estate.
- Physical Abuse
- Being handled roughly, slapped, or hit
- Emotional Abuse
- Being insulted, threatened, called names or harassed
- Neglect
- Being denied food, medical care, clothing, shelter, or social contact
- Being forcibly confined or restrained
- Sexual Abuse
- Being forced to be sexually intimate
Who qualifies for this type of protection service?
Persons aged 60 and older or ages 18 to 59 with a disability living in the community who are suspected of being a victim of abuse by someone they know. The victim must reside in one of the following counties: Cumberland, Coles, Clark, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie, or Shelby County.
What does this program do?
Adult Protective Services case workers conduct investigations and work with vulnerable adults in resolving these abusive situations. All Adult Protective Services caseworkers are trained and certified by the Illinois Department on Aging,which also examines the Program’s policies and procedures and oversees the monitoring of services through East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging.
The Adult Protective Services program is considered an advocacy intervention model and is always client driven. One of the guiding principles of the program is the client’s right to self determination. This means clients who have the capacity to consent to services have the right to accept or decline services. Caseworkers serve as advocates for the individual’s rights and support the adult’s right to self-advocacy.
While an array of services is usually available in communities, adults who are victims of abuse often face unique barriers that prevent access to available resources. The Adult Protective Services case worker will assist the victim in determining what services are most appropriate to cease the abuse. Those services might include in-home care, adult day care, legal assistance, emergency shelter, petitioning for an order of protection, and law enforcement interventions for example. Early intervention services and funds are available for short-term and emergency situations when other resources are not available. These services include legal assistance, housing and relocation assistance, respite care and emergency aid such as food, clothing or medical care.
External Partner Contact Information
Illinois Department on Aging’s 24 Hour Abuse Hotline
866-800-1409
888-206-1327 (TIY)
Illinois Warm Line
The Illinois Warm Line is for persons with mental health challenges and their families to receive support by phone. This service is offered Monday-Friday 8a m- 5pm,except holidays
1-866-359-7953