The Adult Protective Service Worker works directly with adults who have a developmental disability who are living on their own in the community to assist them in strengthening their capacity to manage the skills necessary for daily living, and help them enhance their network of formal (government-funded) and informal (mainstream community) community resources.

The Adult Protective Service Worker program establishes a voluntary working relationship based upon mutual accountability between the adult who has a developmental disability and the Adult Protective Service Worker. Adults who have a developmental disability are active participants in all steps of the working relationship.

The Adult Protective Service Worker facilitates an individual’s involvement primarily with mainstream community supports wherever possible, but also with the government-funded service system (e.g. the Ontario Disability Support Program, Passports program). The Adult Protective Service Worker assists in developing a network of supports that will foster greater personal independence. With the consent and direction of the adult who has a developmental disability, the worker will provide assistance with planning and accessing these supports based upon individual goals and needs.

Policy Guidelines for the Adult Protective Service Worker Program 2008 (Word Document)

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The Adult Protective Service Worker conducts regular face-to-face meetings with adults who have a developmental disability to provide:

• Advocacy on their behalf to help them access and maintain mainstream community supports and government-funded services and to help them live safely and securely in the community
   
• Help to the individual identifying their strengths and needsand providing information and referrals at the direction of the adult who has a developmental disability
   
• Coordinationand case management of community resources, service plans, mediation, and liaison with other service providers
   
• Support with problem-solving, life skills counselling (such as personal budgeting, use of transportation), guidance, and group facilitation