The California Elder Justice Workgroup (CEJW) was launched in October 2009 to protect the rights, independence, security, and well being of vulnerable elders in California by improving the response of the legal, long-term care, and protective service systems.
Visit About Us to learn more about CEJW or Click here to download the full Project description in PDF format. |
It’s out!
Improving California’s Response to Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation: A Blueprint.
The document represents over two years of exploration and discussions by advocates, service providers, experts in elder abuse prevention and related fields, and others with an interest in ensuring justice, safety, and security for older adults in California. These include the findings from the first state summit on elder abuse, held in April of 2010, an environmental scan to gather the collective knowledge about abuse and related topics, and discussions with the leaders of state agencies, professional associations, and advocacy groups. We welcome you to use the Blueprint to:
Hard copies of the Blueprint are being sent to summit delegates, members of CEJW’s Technical Advisory Group, and state and federal policy makers.
Click below to download now:
Improving California’s Response to Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Improving California’s Response to Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation: Executive Summary
We’d like to know your thoughts, ideas, and plans for using the Blueprint. Please take a moment to fill out our survey.
We’ll also use it to keep you up-to-date about plans for implementing the Blueprint.
Click here to complete the survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XYRTT8Y
Thank you!
News & Updates December, 2011 |
States Compensate Victims of Financial Crimes
During CEJW’s 2010 Summit, delegates asked whether state victim compensation programs can assist victims of financial crimes secure critical legal, financial, and mental health counseling services. Compensation programs, which to a great extent, are financed by crooks through fees, fines, and forfeitures, reimburse individual victims for crime-related injuries (both physical and emotional), lost wages, and to purchase services to help them recover. Historically, the funds have been used almost exclusively for victims of violent crimes. Following the summit, a small group of delegates began meeting to explore California’s comp program under the leadership of the California Commission on Aging.
To find out what other states are doing for financial crime victims, we asked the National Association of Victim Compensation Boards. In response, the Association sent a survey to members, which yielded the following:
Many thanks to Dan Eddy, Executive Director of the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards for his assistance in providing the information.
Survey of Madoff Victims Reveals PTSD
According to a survey conducted by therapist Audrey Freshman PhD, LCSW, CASAC of Rockville Centre, New York, 55.7% of Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme victims were experiencing post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 8 to 10 months following Madoff’s arrest on December 11, 2008. According to Freshman, this rate coincides with PTSD prevalence during the first year of other “human-made” disasters. The findings support a growing consensus about the mental health impact that financial crimes have on victims’ mental health. Dr. Freshman can be reached at:afresh314@gmail.com
Thanks Mom and Dad (for your identities)
A new study reveals that 2 million older adults had their identities used by younger family members, mostly adult offspring, for fraudulent reasons between 2006 and 2010. The report by ID Analytics, a for-profit credit and identity risk management firm, is a departure from past surveys on the subject, which have typically relied on accounts by those involved and do not capture fraud against those who do not know they have been victimized. According to Dr. Stephen Coggeshall, chief technology officer of ID Analytics, the figures are based on analyses of 1 billion applications for credit cards and cell phones, which show how many times younger family members apparently fraudulently used their elder parents’ credit. For more, see: http://www.idanalytics.com/news-and-events/news-releases/2011/9-20-2011.php
NAPSA Launches First APS Resource Center
The National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) has launched the first National Adult Protective Services (APS) Resource Center through a $199,956 grant from the US Administration on Aging. NAPSA Director Kathleen Quinn will head up the new Center whose goals are to:
• Identify evidence-based best practices for APS programs and interventions;
• Establish national baseline data on “state of APS” in 2012;
• Identify and promote the evaluation of novel, but unevaluated, APS promising practices;
• Compile and synthesize research that informs APS programming and interventions; and
• Provide targeted technical assistance to state and local APS programs.
Activities will include the creation of an APS Resource Center webpage, Facebook page and Twitter account; comprehensive reports based on surveys of APS programs, applicable research and innovative practices; research and training webzine’s, a monthly newsletter, an APS-specific listserv and information packets. NAPSA’s partners in the venture are:
• National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD);
• National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD);
• American Public Human Services Association (APHSA);
• National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA);
• Catholic University’s School of Social Service's Center on Global Aging;
• Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER); and
• San Diego State University’s Project MASTER in the Academy for Professional Excellence.
The first issue of the Center’s newsletter, released in November, contains articles on helping victims avoid scams, new census data on elders and adults with disabilities, the November 2011 Elder Investment Fraud and Financial Exploitation National Call-in, and updates on national policy.
Naomi Karp and Jenefer Duane Join Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Two CEJW TAG members will be joining the newly formed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Office of Older Americans. Naomi Karp, formerly a Senior Strategic Policy Advisor at the AARP Public Policy Institute, will serve as Policy Advisor and Jenefer Duane, the founder and CEO of the Elder Financial Protection Network, will serve as a Senior Program Analyst. Former Minnesota Senator and Attorney General Skip Humphrey heads up the office, which was created under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. As Naomi describes it, “the small office has a big consumer-focused mission—to address financial exploitation, fight frauds and scams, protect older Americans in the financial services marketplace, and bolster financial literacy, retirement planning and long-term care planning. The Office will further monitor the certification of financial advisors who advise seniors; conduct research on protection against abusive practices, long-term savings and planning for retirement/long-term care; coordinate with federal and state entities; and work with non-profits and others. Congratulations Naomi and Jenefer!
Announcements
Older Americans Act Elder Abuse Stakeholder Meeting
On October 11, staff from the U.S. Senate’s Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee held a “listening session” to learn more about elder abuse and Title VII of the OAA. Staff members from the following offices were in attendance:
• Senator Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA)
• Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY)
• Senator Al Franken (D-MN)
• Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC)
• Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)
• Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Other Elder Justice Commission members and elder abuse prevention advocates who presented at the session included:
• Bob Blancato, Elder Justice Coalition
• Bill Benson, International Association for Indigenous Aging
• MT Connolly, Life Long Justice
• Cindy Hounsell, Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER)
• Marci Phillips, National Council on Aging (NCOA)
• Kathleen Quinn, National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA)