Participation in the Adult Protective Service Worker program is strictly voluntary. The Adult Protective Service Worker cannot compel an unwilling or disinterested individual to accept the services of the program or advice from the Adult Protective Service Worker.

Adult Protective Service Workers do not have a mandate to provide care or to compel compliance to treatment or to other recommended support services. While the Adult Protective Service Worker can assist people in making healthy and safe decisions, ultimately the final decision belongs to the adult who has a developmental disability and who is capable of making those decisions. Situations that require direct observation of an individual after medical treatment or care, assistance with medical treatment, enforcement of treatment guidelines or orders, or other more intrusive or intensive measures fall beyond the scope of what the Adult Protective Service Worker is mandated to provide. The Adult Protective Service Worker does not serve in a guardianship or power of attorney capacity for the individuals they serve and does not make personal care or financial/property decisions on their behalf.

In addition, the Adult Protective Service Worker cannot assume legal responsibility for the adult or supervise the security of children.