State auditor: Texas is failing to protect its most vulnerable adults

In this file photo, a LED readout board shows the status of calls coming into the Statewide Intake Call Center in north Austin for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. RALPH BARRERA / AMERICAN-STATESMAN

The state agency charged with investigating abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation and providing services to older Texans and adults with mental, physical, or developmental disabilities, did not consistently follow its policies and procedures for in-home investigations, the Texas State Auditor reported on Wednesday.

“This increases the risk that allegations of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation may not be adequately investigated and addressed,” according to the report.

Specialists at the Adult Protective Services division of the Department of Family and Protective Services specialists investigate reports of alleged abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation to determine whether the reported situation exists and to what extent it adversely affects the alleged victim.

The audit found that specialists and managers did not make regular contacts with clients to ensure their safety as required by its policies; follow procedures related to supervisory approval of cases; follow procedures when determining that clients were ineligible for services.

In a response to the audit, the department noted that turnover rates in the Adult Protective Services division is the highest of any division at the Department of Family and Protective Services.

“Turnover at this rate increases the likelihood that caseworkers will focus attention on immediate client safety at the time of intake rather than ongoing service and safety contacts during the life of the case,” the department wrote in its response. The response said the agency has already begun implementing a system to improve compliance with contacts.

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State auditor: Texas is failing to protect its most vulnerable adults