Institute on Protective Services
The Institute on Protective Services at Temple University Harrisburg provides education and consultation to human services and law enforcement professionals on identifying, investigating, and resolving cases of elder abuse and victimization of vulnerable adults. The Institute is supported through funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
Available training opportunities for APS and OAPS staff
The courses listed below are open for enrollment. The course description, outline and additional information can be found by clicking on the course name. The list can be filtered by using the “Choose Your Training” option on the left side of the page.
Enrollment is only available to adult protective services (APS) and older adults protective services (OAPS) staff and is not available to the public.
Courses that are full or not open cannot be accessed or viewed.
If you have questions regarding the training courses, please contact Pamela Tereo at pamela.tereo@temple.edu
Choose Your Training:
The list of available courses is below. It can be sorted by clicking on the appropriate table heading (e.g., course name or campus).
| Course Name | Campus | Start Date | End Date | Start Time | End Time | Days of the Week | Checkout |
|---|
Our Mission
To prevent, respond, and when necessary, obtain justice for victimized elders and other vulnerable adults.
The Institute on Protective Services at Temple University Harrisburg provides education and consultation to human services and law enforcement professionals on identifying, investigating, and resolving cases of elder abuse and victimization of vulnerable adults. The Institute is supported through funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
Training Topics offered by the Institute on Protective Services
Protective Services Basic Training - This is mandatory training for APS and OAPS staff who will conduct protective services investigations. OAPS participants must complete the PDA OAPS Intake Worker Training curriculum located on PDA's LMS website before attending this course. Tjos prerequisite is not a requirement for APS participants.
Protective Services Five Year Refresher Training - Required for all Protective Services supervisors and Caseworkers. This is mandatory training. Any staff member involved in older adult protective services must take this course starting in the fifth year after completing Basic Protective Services Training and every five years thereafter. This requirement is in addition to the annual PS Enrichment training requirement.
Protective Services Enrichment Training - Protective Services staff are required to attend annually, as listed below:
- OAPS staff are required to attend one day of approved enrichment training (defined as 6 hours) per calendar year (January to December).
- APS staff are required to attend 40 hours of approved training per calendar year (April to March).
Protective Services Supervisors' Training - Required annually for all Protective Services Supervisors, per § 15.127 In-service Training of the regulations. Training shall consist of a minimum of one day (defined as 6 hours). This training is in addition to the required annual PS enrichment training. The requirement is based on a calendar year and is in addition to the annual PS Enrichment training requirement.
Training Courses
Protective Services Basic Training (IPS0039)
Instructors: Caroline Burnell, MS, CFE, Donna Creager, Adrienne Gardina
Format: Classroom, in-person
Location: Temple University Harrisburg Campus
This multi-day course is mandatory training for adult protective services (APS) and older adults protective services (OAPS) staff that will conduct protective services investigations. The training is focused on the basic knowledge and tools needed to conduct thorough and comprehensive investigations. Training modules are based on APS and OAPS regulations. Participants must complete all days of training and all of the assignments to receive credit.
Dates:
- July 15-18, 2025
- August 12-15, 2025
- September 23-26, 2025
- October 21-24, 2025
- November 18-21, 2025
- December 09-12, 2025
- January 13-16, 2026
- February 10-13, 2026
- March 17-20, 2026
- April 14-17, 2026
- May 19-22, 2026
- June 09-12, 2026
Protective Services Five Year Refresher – OAPS ONLY (IPS0098)
Location: online, PDA LMS
The Five Year Refresher Course reviews core requirements of protective services along with any updates and new laws affecting protective services.
- This is a mandatory Training. Any staff member involved in older adult protective services must take this course starting in the fifth year after completing Basic Protective Services Training and every five years thereafter.
This training includes but is not limited to:
- full-time and part-time protective services caseworkers
- back-up/on-call/standby protective services caseworkers
- protective services supervisors and backup supervisors
- agency administrators who participate in the program either as backup investigators, supervisors, or clinical advisors
This class is a self-paced, self-study course located on PDA's Learning Management System (LMS) hosted by P4A.
- Below is a PDA LMS link and navigation path to access the training course (The course is listed in the LMS Course Catalog, under the Protective Services training category):
- COURSE LINK: Course Catalog > Protective Services > PS Five-Year Refresher Training Course
- NOTE: LMS users must have the 'Protective Services' training category enabled for their Course Catalog to access this training course. If not already enabled, click here to add/remove training categories.
- All four modules and the knowledge evaluation can be completed at any time during the year but must be completed by December 31st.
- Once all the course requirements are fulfilled, the LMS system will generate a certificate of completion. Provide a copy of the certificate to your PS Supervisor.
- It is estimated that the course and knowledge evaluation will take about 4 hours to complete.
For technical assistance with PDA's LMS or to submit an accessibility request, please contact the PDA LMS Help Center.
Protective Services Enrichment Training Courses
Enrichment Annual Requirement
- All OAPS staff are required to attend one day of approved enrichment training (defined as 6 hours) per calendar year (January to December).
- All APS staff are required to attend 40 hours of approved training per calendar year (April to March).
Spring 2026 (January to June) - Enrichment Topics
Adult Mental Health First Aid (Course IPS0089)
Description: Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge.
Presenter: Donna Creager
Duration: This is an 8-hour course, consisting of a 2-hour prerequisite module followed by a 6-hour instructor-led session.
Format: Presented live, over Zoom Meeting
Dates:
Thursday, March 12, 2026 (prerequisite due date: February 26)
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 (prerequisite due date: April 29)
Communication - Let's Talk About It (Course IPS0119)
Description: This training will highlight alternative interview methods and tools for working with non-speaking individuals, will provide strategies to build rapport and trust, and help participants enhance their observational skills regarding behavioral indicators of abuse and neglect.
Presenters: Temple University Harrisburg collaborated with the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) to develop and deliver this training. The session will be presented by Lori Milcic, Lea Sheffield, and Alicia Torres from ODP.
Duration: 3-hours
Format: Presented live, over Zoom
Dates:
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Putting People First: A Person-Centered Approach to Protective Services (Course IPS0114)
Description: Putting people first in protective services means respecting each individual's unique experiences, valuing their autonomy, and empowering them with a voice and choice to meet their specific needs and preferences. A one-size-fits-all approach can have devastating consequences. By approaching each situation with empathy and recognizing that individuals are the experts in their own lives, protective services can better support them and enhance the likelihood of a positive outcome. In this training, PS workers will learn practical skills that promote a person-centered approach in each case, while upholding their dedication to ensuring the individual's safety.
Presenters: Donna Creager
Duration: 3-hours
Format: Presented live, over Zoom Meeting
Dates: Available to those who have not already completed the course.
Tuesday, February 03, 2026
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Wednesday, April 08, 2026
Safe and Sound: Safety Tips for Protective Service Workers (Course IPS0120)
Description: This training is designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to recognize, prevent, and respond to safety risks encountered while working in the field. Through a blend of real-world discussion and practical strategies, learners will strengthen their ability to maintain situational awareness and apply de-escalation techniques. The course will address key safety considerations for completing fieldwork, with a strong emphasis on personal safety and de-escalation
Presenters: Adrienne Gardina
Duration: 3-hours
Format: Presented live, over Zoom Meeting
Dates:
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Thursday, April 09, 2026
Trauma 101
Description: This training provides adult and older adult protective services case workers with a foundational understanding of trauma and its impact on the populations they serve. Learners will understand the basics of what trauma is and how it impacts adults and older adults. They will gain skills to be trauma-sensitive and trauma-informed. Through this learning experience, PS caseworkers will also be introduced to strategies for building compassion resilience as they experience vicarious trauma.
Presenters: Donna Creager
Duration: 3-hours
Format: Presented live, over Zoom Meeting
Dates: Available to those who have not already completed the course.
Wednesday, January 07, 2026
Wednesday, February 04, 2026
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Schedule at a Glance
| MONTH | DATE | ENRICHMENT TITLE | LENGTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | W, Jan 7 | Trauma 101 | 3 hours |
| February | Tu, Feb 3 | Putting People First: A Person Centered Approach | 3 hours |
| W, Feb 4 | Trauma 101 | 3 hours | |
| W, Feb 18 | Communication - Let's Talk About It | 3.5 hours | |
| March | Tu, March 10 | Trauma 101 | 3 hours |
| W, March 11 | Safe and Sound: Safety Tips for PS Workers | 3 hours | |
| Th, March 12 | Adult Mental Health First Aid | 6 hours | |
| Tu, March 31 | Putting People First: A Person Centered Approach | 3 hours | |
| April | W, April 8 | Putting People First: A Person Centered Approach | 3 hours |
| Th, April 9 | Safe and Sound: Safety Tips for PS Workers | 3 hours | |
| May | W, May 13 | Adult Mental Health First Aid | 6 hours |
Questions about the Institute on Protective Services or a training course?
| Contact Person: | Pamela Tereo, Project Manager, Institute on Protective Services at Temple University Harrisburg |
|---|---|
| Email Address: | pamela.tereo@temple.edu |
| Telephone Number: | (717) 232-6400 |
| Program Office Address: |
234 Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17101 |
| Office Hours: |
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |