The 42nd Annual APS Conference
Partnering to Protect
October 14-17, 2025 • Austin, Texas
The Longest-Running APS Conference in the Country
This conference is a highly anticipated time for networking, experiencing hands-on learning, and building relationships with people from across Texas and other parts of the world. We will offer training, resources, and continuing education from top experts in the field. Event attendees include caseworkers, supervisors, and professionals in similar fields, including guardianship, ombudsman, law enforcement, the judiciary, social services, healthcare, and academia.
By Partnering to Protect, we establish strong partnerships between APS and organizations who are committed to protecting vulnerable adults. Our goal is to provide innovative tools that will allow participants to better serve a wide array of clients. In addition to discussing how to care and provide for vulnerable adults, conference participants will learn the importance of self-care and how to instill its practices into their everyday life.
Partnership Awards
At APS, we value the importance of strong partnerships and know that fostering effective collaborations throughout the state is critical to meeting the needs of our mutual clients. The conference is a time when we highlight key partners who are known for their servant hearts and for going above and beyond to serve vulnerable adults in our communities.
2024 Partnering to Protect Award Winners
Austin-El Paso District Winner
El Paso County Attorney's Office
El Paso Probate Court #2
Dallas/Fort Worth District Winners
Dallas Fire and Rescue
East District Winners
Health and Human Services Commission, Region 4
Health and Human Services Commission, Region 5
Houston District Winners
Texas Office of the Attorney General Law Enforcement Division Medicaid Fraud Control Unit - Houston I & III
Houston Health Department, Harris County Area Agency on Aging (HCAAA), Human Services Division (HSD)
Northwest District Winners
Betty Hardwick Center, Intellectual Developmental Disability (IDD) Services, Intake and Eligibility
Midland Fire Department
South District Winners
Rally Credit Union
Alamo Area Council of Governments, Area Agencies on Aging
State Office Winner
Georgia Bureau of Investigations Crimes Against Disabled Adults and Elderly Task Force
2023 Unsung Hero Award Winners
Austin-El Paso District Winner
Irene Marapao
Elgin Open Door Missions, Elgin
Dallas/Fort Worth District Winners
Craig Colbert
APS Volunteer, Fort Worth
Lori Varnell
Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Office, Fort Worth
East District Winners
Carrie Blackwell
Heart to Heart Hospice, Smith County
Becky Edwards
The Heights of Tyler, Tyler
Jeri Sulewski
Heart to Heart Hospice, Smith County
Houston District Winners
Jason Burnett
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston
Barbara Lopez
Senior Justice Assessment Center, Houston
Greg Lowry
Harris County Sheriff's Office, Houston
Northwest District Winners
Tony Ramirez
Wichita Falls Police Department, Wichita Falls
Robert Ruff
Wichita Falls Police Department, Wichita Falls
Sally Coates
Senior House Calls, Lubbock
South District Winners
B J Davies
Hope Hospice, Bulverde
Fernanda Cardenas
Gonzaba Foundation for Healthier Communities, San Antonio
State Office Winner
Leslie Clark
Forensic Assessment Center Network
Stay Up to Date
If you're interested in receiving news and updates about the conference, please email APScon@austin.utexas.edu from your preferred email address. Please include your first and last name and the name of your organization.