Adult Protective Services

The Division of Aging and Adult Services administers Adult Protective Services (APS). Anyone aged 18 to 64 who, because of their mental or physical disability is unable to effectively protect themselves against abuse or neglect, or anyone age of 65 or older, who is suspected of being abused or neglected, is eligible for APS without regard to income. If you suspect that an elderly or dependent adult is being abused or neglected, call Marin County Adult Protective Services, 24 hours/day, at 507-2774. All calls are handled confidentially. If a request for APS is considered inappropriate, or if the victim refuses services, the intake social worker can provide consultation, information and referral to the caller. When necessary, APS will keep confidential the name of the person who reported the suspicions.

APS social workers investigate and seek to correct situations of abuse and neglect. The social worker will offer the older or dependent adult a plan of services, using the least restrictive method of intervention. With the goal of enabling the person to live as safely and independently as possible, the APS social worker will coordinate services with available family, supportive friends and community resources.

If you suspect abuse in a long-term care facility, contact the Marin County Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 499-7446.

Who are mandated reporters?

Everyone should report all observed, known or suspected incidents of adult abuse, but the following individuals are required by law (Welfare and Institutions Code Section 15630) to report:

"Any person who has assumed full or intermittent responsibility for care or custody of an elder or dependent adult, whether or not that person receives compensation, including administrators, supervisors, and any licensed staff of a public or a private facility that provides care or services for elder or dependent adults, or any elder or dependent adult care custodian, health practitioner…or a local law enforcement agency is a mandated reporter."

"Any mandated reporter who, in his or her professional capacity, or within the scope of his or her employment, has observed or has knowledge of an incident that reasonably appears to be physical abuse, abandonment, isolation, financial abuse, or neglect, or is told by an elder or dependent adult that he or she has experienced behavior constituting physical abuse, abandonment, isolation, financial abuse, or neglect, or reasonably suspects abuse shall report the known or suspected instance of abuse by telephone immediately or as soon as possible, and by written report sent within two working days."

Mandated reporters must report any incident of alleged or suspected abuse, or a reasonable suspicion of abuse, which comes to their attention. As a mandated reporter, they are required to give their name. If they report something they learn about outside of work they could report it anonymously. All reports should be made immediately, or as soon as practically possible by telephone. The written report should be sent by mail or fax (415) 499-6465 within 2 working days of learning of the incident. Report forms are available upon request, telephone (415) 507-2774 or download from Adult/Elder Abuse Report Form.

In Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

IHSS pays for some domestic and personal care services for elderly and disable adults so that they can remain safely in their own homes. The IHSS provider is chosen by the client, and works in the client's home to do those tasks the client cannot do for themselves.

IHSS requires a determination of financial eligibility, and the IHSS social worker will assess the client in his/her own home, to determine the hours per month of care needed. IHSS applicants who have income in excess of the SSI benefit levels, may have a share-of-cost each month, depending on their care needs. IHSS may include housework, shopping, laundry, medical transportation, meal preparation, and assisting with personal needs such as bathing, dressing and transfers.

For more information, or to apply for IHSS, call 499-7118. To apply for work as an IHSS provider, call Public Authority at 499-1024.

Information and Referral Service

Information and Referral (I&R) Service social workers answer calls from the public regarding the full range of social services and related resources available to Marin county residents. I&R social workers assist callers in clarifying their needs and desires, and provide factual information about appropriate resources, which might be a County agency or a non-profit service provider. In addition, I&R social workers may meet face-to-face with those who need more complex referrals or additional assistance to access resources.

Information and Referral is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. Social workers who speak Vietnamese, Spanish and Cantonese, in addition to English, are intermittently available. Call I&R at 499-7175.

Ombudsman Program

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is administered by the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services. This program responds to complaints made by, or on the behalf of individuals residing in residential care or skilled nursing facilities. The Ombudsman monitors resident/patient care, investigates allegations of abuse or neglect, monitors regulatory compliance, and provides information to individuals and families regarding placement matters. To register a complaint or request services, please call (415) 499-7446, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no fee for this service.

Veteran's Services

The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, Veterans Service Office helps veterans, their spouses and children obtain all types of veterans benefits. For veterans there is compensation for service-connected disabilities and training to overcome the handicap of that disability.

Wartime veterans who have no service connected disabilities but who are unable to work may be eligible for a pension.

All veterans may be eligible for free hospital care at any VA medical facility, a guaranteed loan for the purchase of a home, and veteran's preference in employment. Drug and alcohol treatment programs are available.

Veterans honorably discharged within the last ten years may be eligible for payment while attending school.

Children of veterans who have a service-connected disability may be able to attend a State of California college or university without payment of tuition.

Spouses and children of deceased veterans whose death was service connected are eligible for monthly payment, tax exemption and a college education. Spouses and children of deceased wartime veterans, who have a very limited income, may be eligible for death pension. Life insurance and a burial allowance are payable in some cases.

There are no time limits for filing most claims. For further information or to file a claim for any benefit, please call (415) 499-6193. We are located at #10 North San Pedro Road, just south of the Civic Center.

West Marin Multi-Services Center

P.O. Box 331
100 6th Street
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
Phones:
      415-663-8231 (Inside West Marin)
      415-473-3800 (Outside West Marin)
      415-473-3828 (Fax)
Office Hours:
      Monday-Friday
      8:30-12, 1-5

Service Description:

Provides outpatient mental health services including individual, couple, group and family therapy for children and adults. Also offers a psychiatric medication clinic.

Social services include In-Home Supportive Service, Child protective Services, Out-of-Home Placement, Adult Protective Services, Medi-Cal, Food Stamps, and CalWORKs. Offers information and referral and Minority Outreach and bilingual assistance.

Provides individual and group drug and alcohol treatment, outreach and referral.

Offers Public Health Nursing including Blood Pressure Clinics and Field Nursing Services.

Fees vary according to income. Medi-Cal is accepted for mental health services.

Area Served: West Marin County (Bolinas, Dillon Beach, Forest Knolls, Inverness, Lagunitas, Marshall, Nicasio, Olema, Point Reyes Station, Stinson Beach, Tomales, Woodacre, Valley Ford)