Adult Protective Services in Wyoming

Wyoming Adult Protective Services (APS), administered by the Wyoming Department of Family Services, investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults age 18 and older throughout the state. Wyoming has universal mandatory reporting — every resident is legally required to report suspected abuse under W.S. 35-20-103(a). APS is administered locally through regional DFS offices, with on-call caseworkers available 24 hours a day. To report, contact your local DFS office or call the statewide information line at 1-800-457-3659.

Wyoming does not have a single statewide APS hotline. Reports are made to local Department of Family Services offices, which maintain on-call caseworkers for after-hours emergencies. A directory of local DFS offices is available at dfs.wyo.gov.

How to Report Elder Abuse in Wyoming

Wyoming APS reports are made through local DFS offices. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or local law enforcement first.

Report by Phone

Contact your local Wyoming Department of Family Services office to make an APS report. Local DFS offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and maintain on-call caseworkers for after-hours emergencies. For example, the Cheyenne DFS office can be reached at 307-777-7921. A directory of all regional DFS offices is available at dfs.wyo.gov. For general information, call the statewide DFS information line at 1-800-457-3659. Reports may be made anonymously, and callers acting in good faith are protected from civil liability under W.S. 35-20-103(a).

Report Online

Wyoming APS does not currently offer a statewide online reporting portal. All reports must be made by phone to the local DFS office. For a directory of local offices, visit dfs.wyo.gov/services/elderly-and-disabled/adult-protection-services/.

Emergency Situations

If a vulnerable adult is in immediate danger — facing physical violence, a medical emergency, or another life-threatening situation — call 911 or local law enforcement first. Do not wait until business hours to report an emergency. Wyoming DFS maintains on-call caseworkers available 24/7 for emergency after-hours situations. High-risk cases (including sexual abuse and major injuries) receive an immediate or 24-hour APS response.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

Having the following information available when contacting the Wyoming DFS office will help the caseworker assess and respond to the situation:

• Full name, age, and current address of the vulnerable adult
• A description of the suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation — specific incidents, dates, and locations
• The name and relationship of the alleged abuser (if known)
• Information about the person's physical or mental health conditions or disabilities
• Names of other witnesses, family members, or care providers with relevant information
• Your own contact information (optional — reports may be anonymous)

Wyoming law (W.S. 35-20-103(a)) requires all residents to report when they have reasonable cause to believe abuse has occurred. Reasonable suspicion is sufficient — proof is not required.

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in Wyoming

Under W.S. 35-20-101 et seq. (Wyoming Adult Protective Services Act), Wyoming APS investigates the following categories of abuse, neglect, and exploitation:

• Physical abuse — Intentional infliction of physical pain, injury, confinement, or cruel punishment
• Mental abuse — Verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, or conduct causing psychological harm
• Sexual abuse — Non-consensual sexual contact or conduct
• Financial exploitation — Misuse, misappropriation, or theft of a vulnerable adult's money, property, or assets
• Neglect — Failure by a caregiver to provide essential food, shelter, clothing, or medical care
• Abandonment — Desertion by a caregiver who has assumed responsibility for care
• Self-neglect — Failure of a vulnerable adult to provide for their own essential needs when they are unable to do so

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Because Wyoming is a rural state with isolated communities, recognizing and reporting warning signs is especially important.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries at different stages of healing
• Evidence of physical restraint — marks on wrists, ankles, or body
• Bedsores or pressure ulcers indicating inadequate care or prolonged immobility
• Weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition without a medical explanation

Behavioral Signs

• Withdrawal from activities, friends, or family
• Fear, agitation, or unusual anxiety around a specific caregiver or family member
• Sudden depression, confusion, or behavioral changes
• Reluctance to speak when a caregiver is nearby

Financial Signs

• Unexplained bank withdrawals or changes to financial accounts
• Missing personal property, jewelry, or valuables
• Unpaid bills or lack of necessities despite adequate income
• Sudden changes to a will, power of attorney, or beneficiary designations

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in Wyoming

Wyoming has universal mandatory reporting. Under W.S. 35-20-103(a), every person or agency in Wyoming that has reasonable cause to believe a vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited is legally required to make a report. This obligation applies to all Wyoming residents, not just health care professionals.

Mandatory reporters who knowingly fail to report face a misdemeanor charge, with a potential fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year under W.S. 35-20-103. Good-faith reporters are immune from civil liability under the same statute. All reports and reporter names are kept confidential under W.S. 35-20-108 and 35-20-112.

What Happens After You Report to APS in Wyoming

Wyoming APS follows a structured process after receiving a report through local DFS offices.

Step 1 — Intake Screening

Local DFS staff review the report to determine whether the alleged victim meets the definition of a vulnerable adult under W.S. 35-20-102 and whether the reported conduct falls within APS's investigative jurisdiction. The case is assigned a response track within 24 hours of receipt.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

Wyoming DFS assigns cases based on risk level:

• High-risk (e.g., sexual abuse, major physical injury, immediate danger): immediate or within 24-hour response
• Standard cases: protective services initiated within 3 days

Step 3 — Investigation

An APS caseworker makes in-person contact with the alleged victim to assess their safety, living conditions, health, and capacity. The caseworker may interview family members, caregivers, neighbors, and medical providers. Financial exploitation cases may involve coordination with the Wyoming Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit or local law enforcement. Criminal conduct is referred to local law enforcement.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

When the investigation confirms abuse or identifies a vulnerable adult at risk, Wyoming DFS works with the adult to develop a service plan. Services may include emergency placement, in-home care, medical and mental health referrals, financial management assistance, and legal referrals. Adults with decision-making capacity retain the right to refuse services. For adults lacking capacity and facing serious risk, APS may pursue court-ordered protective action under Wyoming law.

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

Wyoming APS investigates abuse in community settings — private homes and non-licensed residential environments. For complaints about abuse, neglect, or poor care inside a licensed nursing home, assisted living facility, or other licensed long-term care setting, contact the Wyoming Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 1-307-432-4264 or visit health.wyo.gov/aging/ombudsman/.

The Ombudsman is an independent advocate who investigates complaints on behalf of licensed facility residents. Complaints about facility licensing and regulatory compliance can be filed with the Wyoming Department of Health. For aguide to the nursing home complaint process in Wyoming.

Additional Resources in Wyoming

• Wyoming DFS APS
• Wyoming DFS Statewide Information: 1-800-457-3659
• Wyoming Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-307-432-4264
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• Eldercare Locator (national): 1-800-677-1116
• National Center on Elder Abuse

Wyoming's rural geography means that vulnerable adults may live far from the nearest DFS office and far from neighbors who might observe warning signs. The state's universal mandatory reporting law — which applies to every Wyoming resident — is partly designed to compensate for this geographic isolation. If you live near an older adult or person with disabilities in a rural Wyoming community and observe concerning signs, you have both a moral and legal obligation to report.

Wyoming DFS maintains on-call caseworkers 24 hours a day to respond to after-hours emergencies — a critical resource in a state where local law enforcement agencies may face significant response time challenges in remote areas. If you cannot reach the local DFS office after hours and believe the situation is an emergency, contact local law enforcement or 911, and follow up with the DFS office the next business day.

For concerns involving a licensed nursing home or care facility in Wyoming, the Wyoming Nursing Home Complaint Guide explains how to contact the Ombudsman and the Wyoming Department of Health.