About Us

Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations (APSWI) is a training program of the Academy for Professional Excellence, a project of the San Diego State University School of Social Work.

APSWI provides innovative workforce development to APS professionals and their partners. Our mission is to provide exceptional learning and development experiences for the transformation of individuals, organizations, and communities to ensure that abused and vulnerable older adults and adults with disabilities receive high quality, effective interventions and services.

APSWI in partnership with state and national organizations has developed a nationally recognized Core Competency Training Curriculum for APS professionals. This curriculum is reviewed and approved by experts in the elder and dependent adult abuse fields.

APSWI Training Videos

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Free E-Learning

Course Description

This course will address reporting responsibilities; help participants to understand how, when and where to report suspected abuse or neglect; and inform participants of what to expect after the report has been made.

Disclaimer: To ensure that you successfully obtain a copy of your certificate of completion, please be certain to follow the prompt after completing the post-test by entering your name and email address so that your certificate of completion can be emailed to you. Those who do not follow that prompt will be unable to obtain their certificate, and will need to retake the course again as a transcript of completion is unavailable.

Free Mandated Reporting for Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse eLearning

Gratis Denuncia Obligatoria Abuso y Negligencia de Ancianos y Adultos Dependientes al curso en línea

News and Updates

September 2025

Newly Revised Enrichment Instructor-Led Training & New Supervisor Core Instructor-Led Training Are Now Available!

APSWI (Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations) is pleased to announce a newly revised enrichment instructor-led training and a new supervisor core instructor-led training that are now available, made possible by the generous funding of the California Department of Social Services.

• The California Consistency in Determining Findings Instructor Led Skill-Building Training (ILT) was recently revised. In this hands-on and engaging enrichment training, participants receive the opportunity to build upon the foundations learned from the eLearning and practice determining findings to create consistency throughout the state. This training is packed with scenarios to help participants work through the California APS Standards for Consistency in Determining Findings Matrix and better understand the findings standards set forth in the Guiding Principles for Consistency in Determining Findings. This skill building training utilizes peer review, as well as individual critical thinking, in order to develop confidence in APS professionals when making a determination. This course is intended for all levels of APS staff including, not limited to: line workers, supervisors, managers and program support specialists.

*Please note that these materials replace previous versions of the curriculum. When training, please ensure this version is used and all previous versions are retired. 

Thank you to our Subject Matter Expert, Quatana Hodges, MPA, for revising the curriculum and to APSWI’s Workforce Development Specialist, Jae Mohr, for coordinating this project. 

• In the new Data Informed Supervision Instructor-Led Training a part of Supervisor Core Competency 5: Supervising for Accountability and Retention, participants will deepen their understanding of identifying what metrics APS uses, how metrics are used to support program goals and policies and how they can be applied in the APS supervisor’s role.

Thank you to our Subject Matter Expert, Ruth MacKenzie, MSW, MPPA for developing the curriculum, to the former Supervisor Curriculum Advisory Committee (SCAC) for their support on this project and to APSWI’s Workforce Development Specialist, Brenda Wilson-Codispoti, WFDS, LCSW, for coordinating this project. 

August 2025

A New Instructor-Led Training and New Training Video Are Now Available!

APSWI (Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations) is pleased to announce a new instructor-led training, and new training video that are now available, made possible by the generous funding of the California Department of Social Services.

• In the new De-escalation Skills Instructor-led Training, participants will discuss practical tools to utilize in tense situations to help APS professionals keep their interactions calmer and productive as well as recognize when it’s best to leave an unsafe situation. Intended for staff who conduct home visits, participants will explore ways that they can maintain their professionalism in difficult situations and respond in ways that effectively address the underlying cause of someone escalating. Participants will leave with strategies to help diffuse conflict, which promotes their safety while improving outcomes with clients, alleged perpetrators, and collateral contacts.

• In the new APS Training Video: De-escalation During a Home Visit, an APS professional is visiting the home of a client, due to a referral of possible health and safety concerns. During the interview, the APS professional successfully de-escalates several instances where the client and the client’s spouse react to sensitive topics and where heightened energies start to emerge. *Content Warning: This video involves substance use and some language that can be stigmatizing around substance use disorders.

Thank you to our Subject Matter Expert, Quatana Hodges, MPA, for developing the curriculum for the instructor- led training and training video, members of the CA’s Curriculum Advisory Committee and NAPSA Education and Development Committee for their work on these projects; and to Jae Mohr, APSWI’s Workforce Development Specialist for coordinating these projects!

July 2025

One New eLearning and One Revised APSWI eLearning With Revised Transfer of Learning Tool Are Now Available!

APSWI (Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations) is pleased to announce one new eLearning and one revised eLearning with a revised Transfer of Learning Tool (TOL) that are now available, made possible by the generous funding of the California Department of Social Services.

• The new Trauma-Informed Supervision in APS eLearning was designed for new and seasoned APS supervisors. One of the roles of an APS supervisor is to promote staff’s physical, emotional, and psychological safety. This course will define trauma-informed supervision, explore the six principles of trauma-informed care and apply them to supervision, and share various strategies and tools supervisors can use to help promote safety and well-being with their staff.

Thank you to our Subject Matter Expert (SME) Robin Pendleton, CPTD, for developing the curriculum for the eLearning, to the Curriculum Advisory Committee for their work on this project; and to APSWI’s Workforce Development Specialist, Brenda Wilson-Codispoti, LCSW, for coordinating this project. 

• The Working with the Criminal Justice System eLearning and Working with the Criminal Justice System Transfer of Learning (TOL) were recently revised. This revised course will explore the partnerships APS forms with law enforcement, prosecutors, and the courts to safeguard older and dependent adults and describe how to apply California-specific legal frameworks, program policies and procedures, and culturally responsive and client-centered approach to strengthen client safety and address the unique needs of California’s diverse communities. The Transfer of Learning (TOL) is a supplemental tool designed to reinforce the knowledge and skills introduced during the eLearning module.

Thank you to our Subject Matter Expert (SME) Robin Myers, MPA, for revising the  curriculum for the eLearning and the transfer of learning tool, to Candace Heisler, JD for providing additional subject matter expertise, to the Curriculum Advisory Committee for their work on this eLearning; and to APSWI’s Workforce Development Specialist, Jae Mohr, for coordinating these projects. 

***Please note that funding for CA APS professionals to access these eLearning modules is generously provided by the California Department of Social Services. APS professionals outside of CA can access the eLearning modules for a cost of $50 per module.***

One New eLearning and Two Revised eLearnings with Accompanying Transfer of Learning Tools Are Now Available!

APSWI (Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations) is pleased to announce one new eLearning and two revised eLearnings with accompanying transfer of learning tools that are now available, made possible by the generous funding of the California Department of Social Services.

• The new Role of APS in the Conservatorship Process eLearning defines conservatorship, describes the different types of conservatorship, and explores the unique roles of the APS professional and the Public Guardian as they relate to making referrals for conservatorship and collaborating on shared cases. Case scenarios are also provided so participants can practice what they have learned.

Thank you to our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) Gina Di Mercurio, LCSW and Emily Wight-von Savoye, for developing this eLearning; to the PG/APS County Representatives Workgroup (Kelly Carpenter, PG, Delilah Garza, PG, Laurie Haas, PG, Sarah Moore, PG,, Kim Nguyen, APS, Jason Scott, PG, Maggie Stewart, APS) for their work on this eLearning  and to APSWI’s Workforce Development Specialist, Brenda Wilson-Codispoti, LCSW, for coordinating this project!

• The Role of APS in the Conservatorship Process Transfer of Learning tool can be used by Supervisors and Facilitators to complete various activities to transfer concepts from the eLearning and apply them into APS practice.

  Thank you to our SME, Gina Di Mercurio, LCSW, for developing this transfer of learning and to APSWI’s Workforce Development Specialist, Brenda Wilson-Codispoti, LCSW, for coordinating this project!

• The Voluntary Service Planning in APS eLearning and accompanying Voluntary Service Planning eLearning Transfer of Learning were recently revised. The Voluntary Service Planning eLearning is intended for newer APS professionals and focuses on how to collaborate with clients to develop services plans that build on client’s strengths, utilize available resources and match their readiness to participate.  The Transfer of Learning (TOL) provides additional support to APS professionals who have completed the Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations (APSWI) Voluntary Service Planning eLearning or the National Adult Protective Training Center (NATC) Voluntary Case Planning eLearning. It is designed to transfer concepts from either eLearnings and apply them into APS practice.

Thank you to our SME, E. Penny Jacobo, M.S.W., LCSW, for revising this eLearning and developing the transfer of learning tool and to APSWI’s Workforce Development Specialist, Jae Mohr, for coordinating these projects!

• The Involuntary Service Planning for APS Professionals eLearning and accompanying Involuntary Service Planning Transfer of Learning (TOL) were recently revised. This eLearning discusses how to identify involuntary interventions and recognize when their use is appropriate. It will discuss ethical issues in using involuntary interventions and provide recommendations for how an APS professional can take action when an involuntary case plan is necessary and appropriate. The Transfer of Learning (TOL) is designed to accompany the Involuntary Service Planning for APS Professionals eLearning and can be used by learners individually to enhance their learning or can be facilitated by a trainer during a one-on-one coaching session or group training session.

Thank you to our SME, Gina Di Mercurio, LCSW, for revising this eLearning and developing the transfer of learning tool, the Curriculum Advisory Committee for their work on this project and to APSWI’s Workforce Development Specialist, Brenda Wilson-Codispoti, for coordinating these projects!

**The Transfer of Learning Tools that accompany the Voluntary Service Planning eLearning and the Involuntary Service Planning eLearning have replaced the instructor-led trainings for these topics. Please update and replace any previous materials of these instructor-led trainings with the current versions.

May 2025

Revised APS Supervisor Core Instructor-led Training Materials Now Available!

APSWI (Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations) is pleased to announce revisions to two Supervisor Core instructor-led trainings made possible by the generous funding of the California Department of Social Services.

The Strengths-Based Development/Supervision instructor-led training apart of Supervisor Core Competency 1 and the Understanding Implicit Bias & Structural Racism instructor-led training a part of the Supervisor Core Competency 2 were recently revised and are now available on our website. Please update and replace any previous materials of these instructor-led trainings with the current versions.

Thank you to APSWI’s Workforce Development Specialist, Brenda Wilson-Codispoti, for revising the Strengths-Based Development/Supervision instructor-led training and to APSWI’s Workforce Development Specialist, Ali Ernst, for revising the Understanding Implicit Bias & Structural Racism instructor-led training!

February 2025

Revision of Mandated Reporting Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse and Neglect in California eLearning Is Now Available! 

Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations (APSWI) is pleased to announce the revision of Mandated Reporting Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse and Neglect in California eLearning, made possible by the generous funding of the California Department of Social Services.

This free 90 minute eLearning is now available in Spanish and incorporates changes due to Assembly Bill (AB) 1417. It addresses reporting responsibilities, helps learners understand how, when and where to report suspected abuse or neglect as well as what to expect after the report is made. This is a web-based course and learners need to follow the prompt to enter their email after completing the course to ensure they receive their certificate of completion.

Thank you to our Subject Matter Expert, Maria Loera, MPA  for revising the curriculum, to Eden Rosales for providing additional subject matter expertise, and to APSWI‘s Workforce Development Supervisor, Kat Preston-Wager, for coordinating this project!

ADA Statement

The Academy for Professional Excellence and Adult Protective Services Workforce Innovations is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment that appreciates and builds on diversity. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended, The Academy for Professional Excellence prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. To request accommodations, please contact your county’s Human Resources representative.