In this episode of Hello Austin County, we sit down with Eunice Adejo and Marcia Bluitt from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to discuss the vital work being done through Adult Protective Services (APS) and Child Protective Services (CPS).
Together, they shed light on the realities of abuse, neglect, and exploitation—how to recognize the warning signs, when and how to report suspected abuse, and the many ways our community can step up to protect those who need it most.
From financial exploitation of seniors to the difficult choices families face in caring for children, Eunice and Marcia explain how APS and CPS collaborate, where their roles overlap, and how faith-based and civic groups can make a difference through programs like the Rainbow Room and Silver Star Room.
⏰ 00:00 – Meet Eunice Adejo & Marcia Bluitt, DFPS community engagement specialists
⏰ 02:00 – What Adult Protective Services (APS) and Child Protective Services (CPS) do
⏰ 06:10 – Common forms of abuse and neglect
⏰ 10:45 – The difference between poverty and neglect
⏰ 13:30 – Recognizing medical and self-neglect
⏰ 17:15 – Spotting signs of abuse in children and seniors
⏰ 22:00 – How to report suspected abuse safely and anonymously
⏰ 27:45 – How churches, schools, and civic groups can get involved
⏰ 32:10 – The Rainbow Room and Silver Star Room: meeting urgent needs
⏰ 36:30 – Financial exploitation: when family becomes the threat
⏰ 41:00 – Collaboration between APS & CPS in joint cases
⏰ 46:15 – How the community can stand with our most vulnerable