Adult Protective Services

TO REPORT ELDER ABUSE: If you believe that a Licking County adult age 60 or over has been abused, neglected, or financially exploited, please contact Licking County Job and Family Services. Reports can be made by phone at 740.670.8800 (Monday-Friday 8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.) For emergency reporting after business hours, weekends, or on holidays, please contact the Licking County Sheriff’s Office at 740.670.5500 and ask for the on-call social worker.

Have questions about what qualifies as abuse or neglect? See our Frequently Asked Questions HERE.

Adult Protective Services (APS) serves Licking County residents age 60 and older who may be victims of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. APS does not have jurisdiction in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

Ohio established the Adult Protective Services Law (Ohio Revised Code 5101.6-5101.71) in 1981. This legislation enables a Licking County Job and Family Services social worker to investigate reports of elder abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation and try to correct those situations.

The core principles of the law include:

  • The adult has the right to determine how he or she lives.

  • It is best to use the “least restrictive alternative” when developing solutions.

  • If appropriate, family members will be involved in problem solving.

  • Community based services will be provided, if possible, rather than institutionalization.

  • Placing blame is not the purpose.

  • Intervention is tailored to the needs of the adult and his or her family.

  • Inadequate or inappropriate intervention may be worse than none at all.

Eligibility Requirements

The law applies to persons age 60 years and older who are handicapped by the infirmities of age or are mentally or physically impaired so that they are unable to provide for their own care or protection. Those persons must live within the community; for example, a private home, trailer, shelter/homeless, or rooming house. Suspected abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of elderly persons residing in a nursing home or facility licensed by the State of Ohio are protected by another law and agency and should call the Ombudsman at 1-800-536-5891 for assistance.

Links and Resources

Licking County Aging Partners (LCAP)
1058 E. Main Street
Newark, OH 43055
Phone: 740.345.0821
Toll Free: 800.452.0097
Fax: 740.349.8003
(Meals on Wheels, home care aides, home maker and chore services)

Catholic Social Services
1031 Brice Street
Newark, OH 43056
Phone: 740.345.2565

Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
on Aging/Passport waiver program
174 East Long Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614.645.7250
Toll Free: 800.589.7277
e-ail: coaaa@coaaa.org
Fax: 614.645.3884
TTY/TDD: 614.645.6200

Licking County Sheriff's Department/Senior Programming (Project Lifesaver)
Deputy Karen Dunlap
155 E Main Street
Newark, OH, 43055
740.670.5549

National Eldercare Locator
(A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging)