Adult Protective Services in North Dakota

North Dakota Vulnerable Adult Protective Services (VAPS), administered by the Department of Health and Human Services Adult and Aging Services Division, investigates abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect affecting vulnerable adults throughout the state. VAPS accepts reports by phone, email, fax, and online. The VAPS hotline is 1-855-462-5465 (press 2), available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Email reports can be sent to dhsvaps@nd.gov. For emergencies outside business hours, call 911.

How to Report Elder Abuse in North Dakota

North Dakota VAPS accepts reports through multiple channels. All reports are confidential, and reporters acting in good faith are immune from civil and criminal liability under NDCC 50-25.2-09.

Report by Phone

Call 1-855-462-5465 and press 2 for Vulnerable Adult Protective Services. The VAPS line is staffed on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time. If you call outside of business hours, leave a detailed voicemail with your name and callback number — messages are reviewed the next business day. You may also contact VAPS by TTY at 711 (North Dakota Relay).

Report Online or by Email/Fax

North Dakota VAPS accepts reports through an online reporting form at https://hssndprod.wellsky.com/intake/. You may also email reports to dhsvaps@nd.gov or send a fax to (701) 328-8744. The online form and email are not monitored after business hours; for urgent situations, call the hotline and leave a voicemail or contact 911.

Emergency Situations

If a vulnerable adult is in immediate physical danger, call 911. VAPS is not an emergency response service. After ensuring the person's immediate safety, submit a report through one of the VAPS channels — phone, email, fax, or online — so a caseworker can conduct a follow-up assessment.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

When you contact North Dakota VAPS, you do not need proof of abuse — reasonable suspicion is sufficient. Having the following information available will help the intake worker complete the report and determine the appropriate response:

• The vulnerable adult's full name, approximate age, and home address
• A description of the suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation — including specific incidents or observations
• The name and relationship of the suspected abuser, if known
• Information about the person's disability, medical conditions, or cognitive impairments
• Names of witnesses, family members, or others who can provide information
• Your own contact information (reports can be made anonymously, though contact info helps investigators follow up)

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in North Dakota

Under North Dakota Century Code Chapter 50-25.2, VAPS investigates the following types of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults:

• Physical abuse — Intentional infliction of physical injury, pain, or unreasonable physical confinement
• Mental/emotional abuse — Verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, or conduct causing mental anguish or distress
• Sexual abuse — Non-consensual sexual contact with a vulnerable adult
• Sexual exploitation — Use of a vulnerable adult for the purpose of sexual gratification or profit
• Financial exploitation — Misuse of a vulnerable adult's funds, property, or resources for another's benefit
• Neglect — Failure by a caregiver or responsible person to provide basic necessities, supervision, or medical care
• Self-neglect — A vulnerable adult's inability or refusal to meet their own basic needs due to mental or physical impairment

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

If you are concerned about a vulnerable adult in North Dakota, look for these warning signs. Contact VAPS at 1-855-462-5465 or dhsvaps@nd.gov if you observe any of the following.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, lacerations, burns, or broken bones — especially in patterns or stages of healing
• Injuries inconsistent with the explanation provided by a caregiver
• Signs of malnutrition, dehydration, or inadequate personal hygiene
• Pressure sores indicating prolonged immobility without adequate repositioning or care

Behavioral Signs

• Sudden withdrawal from friends, family, or previously enjoyed social activities
• Fearfulness, anxiety, or agitation — particularly when a specific caregiver is nearby
• Unexplained depression, confusion, or new personality changes
• Reluctance to speak freely when a caregiver or family member is present

Financial Signs

• Unexplained withdrawals, transfers, or new authorized users on financial accounts
• Sudden or unexplained changes to a will, trust, power of attorney, or beneficiary designations
• Unpaid bills, utility shutoffs, or eviction notices despite adequate income or assets
• Missing personal property, cash, or financial documents

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in North Dakota

Any person may make a report to North Dakota VAPS. Certain professionals are designated as mandated reporters under NDCC 50-25.2-03 and are legally required to report known or suspected abuse. Mandated reporters include medical and mental health professionals, law enforcement, firefighters, clergy (except when acting as a spiritual advisor), caregivers, and long-term care facility staff. All mandated reporters must submit reports as soon as reasonably possible.

Mandated reporters who willfully fail to report are subject to an infraction with a fine of up to $1,000 under NDCC 50-25.2-10(1). All reporters acting in good faith are immune from civil and criminal liability under NDCC 50-25.2-09. All reports and reporter identities are confidential under NDCC 50-25.2-12.

What Happens After You Report to APS in North Dakota

After a report is received, North Dakota VAPS follows a structured evaluation and investigation process governed by NDCC Chapter 50-25.2.

Step 1 — Intake and Evaluation

VAPS is required by NDCC 50-25.2-05.1 to immediately evaluate and assess all reports of vulnerable adult abuse. The intake worker determines whether the person qualifies as a vulnerable adult under state law, whether the alleged conduct constitutes abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and what level of response is appropriate. Reports are processed in the order received.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

North Dakota VAPS is required to immediately evaluate and assess reports. While NDCC 50-25.2-05.1 does not specify fixed response time windows in hours, VAPS prioritizes reports based on the severity of risk. Emergency situations involving imminent danger should be reported to 911 in addition to VAPS. For non-emergency reports submitted outside of business hours, investigators review voicemails and emails the following business day.

Step 3 — Investigation

During the investigation, a VAPS caseworker conducts a face-to-face visit with the vulnerable adult, interviews witnesses and the suspected abuser as appropriate, and reviews relevant medical, financial, or facility records. VAPS coordinates with law enforcement when criminal abuse is suspected. The investigation assesses the safety, capacity, and service needs of the vulnerable adult.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

If abuse, neglect, or exploitation is substantiated, VAPS develops a voluntary protective plan with the vulnerable adult. Services available may include emergency shelter, home care assistance, medical and mental health referrals, money management assistance, legal advocacy, and coordination with local aging services. Vulnerable adults with decision-making capacity may decline services. If a person lacks capacity and faces serious ongoing danger, VAPS may seek emergency guardianship or other court-ordered protective measures.

APS vs. Long-Term Care Ombudsman — Who Handles Nursing Home Abuse in North Dakota?

North Dakota VAPS investigates abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults in community settings such as private homes and adult foster care. VAPS also receives reports about residents of licensed facilities, though the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is the primary advocacy resource for nursing home residents.

The North Dakota Long-Term Care Ombudsman is housed within the same HHS Adult and Aging Services Division. To reach the Ombudsman for nursing home or long-term care facility concerns, call 1-855-462-5465 or visit hhs.nd.gov/aging/long-term-care-ombudsman. The Ombudsman investigates complaints about care quality, resident rights, and facility conditions in licensed nursing homes and basic care facilities.

For a full guide to nursing home complaints in North Dakota, see our North Dakota Nursing Home Complaint Guide.

Additional Resources in North Dakota

• North Dakota VAPS Hotline: 1-855-462-5465 (press 2) — weekdays 8am-5pm CT
• VAPS Email: dhsvaps@nd.gov
• VAPS Online Reporting
• North Dakota Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-855-462-5465
• TTY (North Dakota Relay): 711
• Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• National Center on Elder Abuse

Reports to North Dakota VAPS are confidential. Mandated reporters are legally required to report. All good-faith reporters are immune from civil and criminal liability. Call 1-855-462-5465 (press 2), email dhsvaps@nd.gov, or use the online form to submit a report.