Coordination with Other Agencies

Coordination with Other Agencies. It is the policy of Adult Protective Services to work cooperatively with other agencies and community partners. The staff and physicians of local health departments, mental health clinics and other public and private agencies are required by §43-47-9 to cooperate fully with Adult Protective Services in the performance of its duties. It is likewise the policy of APS to cooperate fully with these agencies to carry out the investigations and provision of services to vulnerable persons in Mississippi. When APS receives a report of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable person in a licensed hospital or licensed nursing home, APS shall immediately refer that report to the State Department of Health for further investigation. In certain situations, the courts may authorize a third party to enter the residence of a vulnerable person to examine the vulnerable person. The courts may also authorize third parties to examine the financial records of a vulnerable person. Finally, the Department of Human Services may contract with an agency or private physician to provide evaluations of vulnerable persons. It is the policy of APS to cooperate with these properly authorized third parties to carry out investigations and provide services to vulnerable persons.