Adult Protective Services

Confidential reports regarding the safety, well-being, and needs of vulnerable adults and elders within the jurisdiction of the Navajo Nation can be made in an Intake Report.

An Intake Report can be made to any DFS office by:

Pertinent information regarding the vulnerable adult/elder will be collected at the time of Intake Report which may include:

• Adult/Elder’s Name
• Adult/Elder’s age and date of birth if known
• Adult/Elder’s contact information (location of home).
• If applicable, Legal Guardian’s Name
• Legal Guardian’s information
• Allegation Report

Intakes are reviewed and may be assigned. All intakes are confidential.

Once an intake is assigned, Adult Protective Services will:

• Provide services upon the referred individual’s consent, except when the referred individual is determined to be in imminent harm.
• Investigate or find out adult/elder’s safety is at risk
• Provide intervention, if required
• APS may coordinate with law enforcement and other applicable resources
• Assess or identify problems, gather facts, and clarify the problems
• Plan and provide services, set goals, identify resources
• Document the case and collect applicable information for eligibility
• Terminate the case or transfer it to another adult service (Link to DFS Adult Services)
• Court Intervention may be initiated

Navajo language or interpreter assistance can be available to meet the referred individual’s needs.

Available per the referred individual’s need, a family conference is a process led by family members to make decisions about a plan to care for a vulnerable adult or elder who is at risk.

Family and Group Conferences are confidential.