§ 63.2-1604. Establishment of Adult Protective Services Unit; powers and duties
There is hereby created the Adult Protective Services Unit within the Adult Services Program in the Department, which, in coordination with adult protective services programs in the local departments, shall have the following powers and duties:
1. To support, strengthen, and evaluate adult protective services programs at local departments;
2. To assist in developing and implementing programs to respond to and prevent adult abuse, neglect or exploitation;
3. To prepare, disseminate, and present educational programs and materials on adult abuse, neglect and exploitation to mandated reporters and the public;
4. To establish minimum standards of training and provide educational opportunities to qualify social workers in the field of adult protective services to determine whether reports of adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation are substantiated. The Department shall establish, and the Board shall approve, a uniform training program for adult protective services workers in the Commonwealth. All adult protective services workers shall complete such training within one year from the date of implementation of the training program or within the first year of their employment;
5. To develop policies and procedures to guide the work of persons in the field of adult protective services;
6. To prepare and disseminate statistical information on adult protective services in Virginia;
7. To operate the adult protective services 24-hour toll-free hotline and provide training and technical assistance to the hotline staff;
8. To provide coordination among the adult protective services program and other state agencies; and
9. To work collaboratively with other agencies in the Commonwealth to facilitate the reporting and investigation of suspected adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
(1998, c. 149, § 63.1-55.02; 2001, cc. 701, 716, 746; 2002, c. 747; 2004, cc. 749, 1011.)
Sections: Previous 63.2-1600 63.2-1601 63.2-1601.1 63.2-1602 63.2-1602.1 63.2-1603 63.2-1604 63.2-1605 63.2-1606 63.2-1607 63.2-1608 63.2-1609 63.2-1610 63.2-1611 63.2-1612 NextLast modified: April 3, 2009