Efforts to develop a volunteer board to support the Adult Protective Services (APS) Program in the Houston district began in 2001 by Imogen Papadopoulos, a local elder law attorney, and Jan McLaughlin, the Department of Family and Protective Services lead administrator. The non-profit Houston district board was developed to improve the lives of older adults and people with disabilities through education and awareness of issues effecting those two populations of residents. The founding members of the board established goals and objectives to improve social and human services to vulnerable adults through advocacy and the development of resources to support APS caseworkers in the field. Board objectives included the development and promotion of intervention strategies with public and private sector partners designed to prevent and alleviate occurrences of abuse, neglect and exploitation to vulnerable adults.
The board officially became a 501(c)(3) in 2003 and has worked with public and private organizations to educate the Houston community about issues effecting vulnerable adults through conferences, community presentations and outreach. The board has established seven resource rooms throughout the Houston district. These rooms provide fans, heaters, clothing, toiletries and various other items for vulnerable adults in need. Members advocate for laws, policies and services that improve the lives of vulnerable adults living in the community including healthcare, social interaction, financial stability and safety. By establishing partnerships with elder service providers, financial institutions, law enforcement, courts and other social services organizations the board has improved the ability of APS staff to provide better services to vulnerable adults.