Handbook Revision, January 5, 2026

This revision of the Adult Protective Services Handbook was published on January 5, 2026. Summaries of new or revised items are provided below.

Adult Protective Services Handbook Updates for FY 2026 (PATS 00160)

APS updates its handbook each fiscal year. This update does the following:

  • Adds Consumer Directed Services (CDS) to Appendix I: Facilities and Jurisdictions.
  • Adds Family Member to the Definitions of Terms.
  • Revises the other sections listed below in this revision memo.

In all other sections in the handbook, the policy content remains unchanged.

See:

2422 High-Profile Cases

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2510 Notifying SWI about Chronic Callers

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3200 Allegations

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4200 Allegations Involving HHSC Long-Term Care Regulatory Services

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4320 Allegations Involving Schools

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6000 Evidence Collection

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6122 Interviewing an Alleged Perpetrator

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6310 Photos, Audio, and Video as Evidence

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6412.5 Process of Obtaining Criminal History Information

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7221 Relative or Other Person as Guardian

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7300 Referrals to HHSC Office of Guardianship Services (OGS)

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7320 Minimum Information for HHSC OGS Referrals

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8210 Client Refuses to Cooperate with APS Investigation

8220 Client Moves or Cannot Be Located

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9100 Requirements for Contacts

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9400 Initial Face-to-Face Contact with the Client

9410 Client Cannot Be Seen for Initial Face-to-Face Contact

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9500 Safety Contacts

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12100 Initiating Legal Actions

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13100 Case Closure Codes

13110 Rapid Closure Codes and Disposition of Other

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14120 Notifications to the Designated Perpetrator

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14310 Emergency Release of Findings in Due Process Cases

14320 Notification of Intent to Release Findings in Due Process Cases

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14331 Requesting an Administrative Review in Due Process Cases

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14350 Release of Findings in Due Process Cases

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14352 Release of Findings to Professional Licensing Boards, Commissions, and Other Agencies

14400 Cases Involving School Personnel

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15124.1 Court Notification about an Investigation Involving Guardianship

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15231 Destruction of Case Records

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Appendix I: Facilities and Jurisdictions

Adult Foster Care

Assisted Living Facilities

Consumer Directed Services (CDS)

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Definitions of Terms

Family Member