Provider Investigations
APS is responsible for investigating abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people living in state-operated facilities and those receiving services in state-contracted community settings that serve adults and children with mental illness or intellectual disabilities.
APS conducts investigations in:
- State supported living centers, state hospitals, and the Rio Grande State Center.
- Community centers.
- Privately operated intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- Home and community-based waiver programs.
APS starts an investigation after the Texas Abuse Hotline receives an allegation. DFPS notifies the facility or provider agency within one hour and notifies law enforcement and the Health and Human Services Commission Office of Inspector General (OIG) within one hour if necessary. APS completes the investigation, makes a finding for each allegation, and sends a report to the provider as well as law enforcement and OIG if necessary. The provider is responsible for taking appropriate steps to protect their clients.
APS also determines if the perpetrator should be added to the Employee Misconduct Registry and submits the person's name after all due process and appeals. This registry bars people from certain jobs that involve working with people with disabilities. This also applies to certain In-Home cases.
For more information, see: DFPS Data Book, pages 21-25 and pages 135-137.