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In 2014, I received a phone call from a colleague asking if I would be interested in representing APSI (Advocacy & Protective Services, Inc.). My initial reaction was that I had no idea who APSI was and I was shocked during that initial phone conversation to hear that it is a non-profit corporation that provides guardianship services to adults with developmental disabilities.
APSI serves as guardian of last resort and only steps in to serve when there is no one else available to provide those services. That seemed like a mission that anyone could get behind, so of course I said I was interested. Five years later, I have represented APSI in countless hearings all across Ohio. My representation of APSI has opened doors for me professionally and personally. Moreover, it constantly reminds me that while Ohio’s DD system is not perfect (and in some ways remains very flawed), it is largely comprised of really good people who really do care for the individuals they serve.
People still ask all the time, who is APSI? APSI is a safety net that serves in only the most difficult guardianship cases. APSI serves as guardian of the person only for approximately 3,500 individuals across Ohio. APSI is staffed by 72 protective service representatives who assist APSI’s clients in all compartments of Ohio’s DD system.
Over the years, APSI has been asked to do great things with minimal funding. APSI constantly rises to that challenge and has a system and process-oriented approach that ensures people’s needs are addressed in a timely and efficient process. If you average it out, APSI files approximately 10 guardian reports and annual plans every single day of the year. Sometimes when I’m having one of those days where I wish my phone would stop ringing, I remind myself of how many more phone calls an APSI protective services representative receives on a regular basis.
If you would like to learn more about this great organization and its mission, please check out APSI’s website here: https://apsiohio.org/.