TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Starting on July 1, Adult Protective Services in Indiana will be handed over to a private company, moving it out of the public sector.
“July 1 is when they take over… I don’t know, it’s just heartbreaking, you know, it’s heartbreaking,” said Irene White, Director of Adult Protective Services in area seven.
According to their website, the Adult Protective Services receives and investigates reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults within the state.
However, the service is now going to be run by a private firm, something Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt said could cause issues because they don’t have the same resources they had while in the public sector.
“We are all kind of waiting to see… Now, I mean, a private firm will have to decide where they will be located, whether they are still going to have hub offices. I mean, we are hearing a lot of horror stories like it may all be remote, things like that. Then they are going to have to hire attorneys to represent them when they go into court,” said Modesitt.
White said she feared the new firm wouldn’t have the same knowledge of the Wabash Valley.
“Since they are privatized, I’m sure the police will take reports and stuff. I’m sure they will do some things the same way. My fear is that the investigators that they hire do not have the knowledge,” said White.
“I just think it make a big difference when you have local people that are doing those jobs, that are acquainted with other people in the community and are familiar with the community,” said Modesitt.
Modesitt also said this won’t just affect the people who need help from protective services, but will cause the current workers to lose their jobs.
“All of my people now, at Adult Protective Services, are going to lose their jobs,” said Modesitt.
“It’s upsetting because it’s not just the employees, it’s not just the employees, we have people that need us right away,” said White.
“I just think it sad that, you know, people that are committed to trying to help elderly people now are going to without jobs and again I think it’s a bad decision on the states part,” said Modesitt.
WTWO/WAWV has reached out to both state officials and the private company for additional comment, at this time we have not received those comments.
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