Establish project leadership and partnerships
Create the leadership and governance structure for ACLink, including a Leadership Team and three specialized mini-cores to coordinate the work.
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About ACLink
Connecting Adult Protective Services and healthcare data to advance research on elder mistreatment and self-neglect.
What Is ACLink?
ACLink is a multi-state, National Institute on Aging–funded (R61/R33 AG104480) research infrastructure initiative that brings together Adult Protective Services (APS) data and Medicare and Medicaid healthcare data. By linking information that is typically held in separate systems, ACLink will support research examining healthcare experiences, outcomes, and costs among older adults experiencing elder mistreatment and self-neglect.
The project is designed to build a resource for researchers while generating evidence that may ultimately help APS programs, healthcare professionals, and community partners identify opportunities to improve care and protection.
Why ACLink Is Needed
Elder mistreatment and self-neglect are serious problems that often go unrecognized. APS agencies collect important information about reports, investigations, and services, while healthcare claims document medical encounters and utilization. Because these sources are rarely connected, researchers have limited ability to examine the full healthcare journeys of older adults involved with APS.
ACLink aims to address this gap by establishing a privacy-conscious approach to linking data across participating states. The resulting evidence may reveal patterns of healthcare use and unmet needs, including potential opportunities for earlier identification and intervention.
Our Research Aims
ACLink has two phases: first, building the partnerships and linked-data infrastructure (R61); then, using and sharing the resource to generate new evidence (R33). The aims below retain the numbering from the funded application.
PHASE 1 · R61
Build the foundation
Establish the partnerships, oversight, and data systems needed to create ACLink.
Prepare and link APS and healthcare data
Develop a consistent approach to APS data across states, securely transfer and prepare those data, and support linkage with Medicare and Medicaid claims.
PHASE 2 · R33
Generate evidence and expand research
Evaluate the linked data, study healthcare experiences, and help other researchers use ACLink.
Evaluate the linked dataset
Assess how successfully APS records link to healthcare data, describe the older adults included, and establish a process for regular updates.
Understand healthcare before and after APS involvement
Study patterns of healthcare use among older adults experiencing elder mistreatment and self-neglect, including emergency visits, hospital care, and other services.
Support research by other investigators
Help qualified researchers use ACLink through access procedures, guidance, and research support, including four pilot grants.
How ACLink Works
ACLink brings together state APS partners, researchers, and data experts to establish consistent definitions, prepare data for linkage, and create analytic resources with appropriate safeguards and governance. Its work includes careful attention to data privacy, responsible access, and the differences in how APS programs collect information across states.
A key partner in this work is the NIA LINKAGE, which provides the secure, scalable infrastructure needed to link APS information with Medicare and Medicaid data and support research while protecting sensitive information. As the infrastructure develops, the project will share information about research resources and future opportunities for qualified investigators.
Our Structure
The project is organized around complementary activities supporting state partnerships, data linkage and analytic access, and training, outreach, and engagement. Three mini-cores provide focused expertise and coordination across these activities.
Learn About Our Structure →Our Team
ACLink is led by investigators from Weill Cornell Medicine, Vanderbilt University, and UTHealth Houston, working with collaborators whose expertise spans APS, aging, health services research, data science, and implementation.
← About ACLink
Our Structure
Collaborative leadership and three connected mini-cores help ACLink build a trusted research resource and make it useful to APS partners and researchers.
ACLink brings together investigators, state Adult Protective Services (APS) partners, and external advisors to build and support a research resource linking APS information with Medicare and Medicaid data.
The ACLink Leadership Team works with participating states and an External Advisory Board to guide the project’s governance, priorities, and responsible data use. Three specialized mini-cores coordinate state partnerships, secure data linkage and access, and training and engagement. Together, they support the development of ACLink and its use by qualified researchers.
Our Three Mini-Cores
APS State Connection
Builds and maintains partnerships with state APS agencies; coordinates data agreements and documentation; and helps harmonize APS information across states. This mini-core also helps develop processes for reviewing research access requests with participating states.
Data Linkage and Analytic Dataset Access
Works with NIA LINKAGE to connect APS records with Medicare and Medicaid data, supports secure data preparation and updates, and facilitates approved researchers’ access to linked analytic resources.
Training, Outreach, and Engagement
Shares information about ACLink, develops guidance and training for researchers, supports collaboration and research opportunities, and helps investigators use the resource to address important questions about elder mistreatment and self-neglect.
Working together, these groups aim to ensure that ACLink is scientifically useful, responsive to APS partners, and accessible through appropriate safeguards and governance.
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Our Team
Meet the investigators and team members building ACLink and supporting collaboration across research and practice.
Investigators
Tony RosenMD, MPH
Principal Investigator
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine | Weill Cornell Medicine
Primary ACLink role: Oversee the project; co-lead the Training, Outreach, and Engagement mini-core.
Zach GassoumisPhD
Co-Investigator
Associate Professor of Public Health | UTHealth Houston
Primary ACLink role: APS data expertise, state partnerships, and harmonization of APS information; lead the APS State Connection mini-core.
Yongkang ZhangPhD
Co-Investigator
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine | Weill Cornell Medicine
Primary ACLink role: Health services research, Medicare and Medicaid claims analyses, and contextual data; co-lead the Data Linkage and Analytic Dataset Access mini-core.
Laura KeohanePhD
Co-Investigator
Associate Professor of Health Policy | Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Primary ACLink role: Medicare and Medicaid data expertise and health services research methods; co-lead the Data Linkage and Analytic Dataset Access mini-core.
Ray RomanoPhD
Co-Investigator
Nurse Practitioner | Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Primary ACLink role: Linked-data methods and quantitative analysis; co-lead the Training, Outreach, and Engagement mini-core.
Project Team
Alyssa ElmanLCSW
Weill Cornell Medicine
Primary ACLink role: Coordinate/support the APS State Connection mini-core.
Daniel BaekMPH
Weill Cornell Medicine
Primary ACLink role: Coordinate/support the Data Linkage and Analytic Dataset Access mini-core.
Elaine GottesmanLCSW
Weill Cornell Medicine
Primary ACLink role: Coordinate/support the Training, Outreach, and Engagement mini-core.
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For APS Professionals
Connecting APS expertise and research to improve understanding of elder mistreatment and self-neglect.
Why ACLink Matters for APS
Adult Protective Services (APS) professionals play a critical role in responding to elder mistreatment and self-neglect. Yet little is known about the healthcare experiences of the people APS serves. ACLink aims to connect information from participating state APS agencies with Medicare and Medicaid data, helping researchers better understand healthcare use before and after APS involvement.
Working With APS Partners
ACLink is designed around collaboration with state APS agencies. APS partners help guide decisions about the data included, how information is interpreted, and how findings can be useful for APS practice. The project also emphasizes privacy, responsible data use, and appropriate review of research proposals.
What APS Professionals Can Expect
As the project develops, we plan to share updates on progress, research findings relevant to APS practice and policy, opportunities to contribute perspectives, and resources for APS professionals. Findings may help identify opportunities for earlier recognition of elder mistreatment and self-neglect and stronger connections between APS and healthcare.
Stay Connected
Join the APS Professionals email list for project updates, findings, engagement opportunities, and resources.
Join the APS Email List →Email-list registration will be connected when the signup form is available.← Home
For Researchers
Building a secure research resource to advance evidence on elder mistreatment and self-neglect.
A New Resource for Research
ACLink is developing a multi-state resource that connects Adult Protective Services (APS) records with Medicare and Medicaid data. The linked information is intended to support research on the healthcare experiences, needs, and outcomes of older adults experiencing elder mistreatment or self-neglect.
Questions ACLink Can Help Address
Researchers may be able to examine patterns of emergency department visits, hospitalizations, outpatient care, long-term services, and healthcare costs before and after APS involvement. The resource is also intended to support studies of differences across populations and opportunities to improve identification, care, and intervention.
Data Access and Research Opportunities
ACLink is being developed in partnership with participating APS agencies and NIA LINKAGE. Access to linked data will be available to qualified investigators through an appropriate application, review, and data-governance process as the resource becomes ready for external research.
The project also plans researcher guidance, training, technical support, and a competitive pilot-grant program to encourage new studies using ACLink. Details and timelines will be shared as they become available.
Follow Research Opportunities
Join the researcher email list for updates on project progress, data access, funding opportunities, and research resources.
Join the Researcher Email List →Email-list registration will be connected when the signup form is available.← Home
Contact Us
Questions about ACLink, collaboration, or future opportunities? We welcome your interest.
Get in Touch
ACLink brings together investigators, Adult Protective Services partners, and researchers working to advance knowledge about elder mistreatment and self-neglect. We welcome questions from APS professionals, researchers, community partners, and others interested in the project.
For questions about project activities, partnerships, or research opportunities, please contact the ACLink project team. A direct project email address will be added here once it is confirmed.
Stay Informed
Interested in receiving project updates? Our APS Professionals and Researchers email lists will share information tailored to each audience, including progress, engagement opportunities, and resources.
Receive ACLink Updates
Choose the email list that best fits your interests, or sign up for both when registration opens.
Email List Information →The signup form will be linked when available.← Home
Join an ACLink Email List
We plan to offer email updates tailored to APS professionals and researchers. You will be able to subscribe to either list or both through a Qualtrics form once it is available.
Signup form: Coming soon.
Contact ACLink →
Linking Data
to Build Safer,
Healthier Lives
for Older Adults
ACLink uses linked Adult Protective Services (APS) and healthcare data to advance research on elder mistreatment and self-neglect, with the goal of improving identification, intervention, and prevention.
Learn More →Connecting Data for Elder Protection
What Can ACLink Help Us Understand?
Earlier Detection
Identify missed opportunities to recognize and intervene in elder mistreatment and self-neglect.
Healthcare Journeys
Examine healthcare and services before and after APS involvement.
Better Evidence
Understand healthcare utilization, outcomes, and costs among older adults experiencing elder mistreatment and self-neglect.
Stronger Research
Enable collaborative research using linked APS and healthcare data.
GET INVOLVED
Find Your Connection to ACLink
For APS Professionals
Explore how ACLink aims to generate evidence relevant to APS practice and policy, and discover opportunities to stay informed and engage.
For Researchers
Learn about ACLink’s research infrastructure, emerging data resources, and opportunities for collaboration and future data access.
LED BY INVESTIGATORS FROM
Weill Cornell MedicineVanderbilt UniversityUTHealth Houston