CEJW Responds to Senate Special Committee on Aging Hearing
Justice for All: Ending Elder Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation, a hearing of the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging took place on March 2, 2011. CEJW and many allies responded to the request for testimony in support of scaling up federal efforts to respond to elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. See below for materials submitted by CEJW.
To view the March 2 hearing, click here: http://www.senate.gov/fplayers/CommPlayer/commFlashPlayer.cfm?fn=aging030211&st=1170
CEJW Provides Testimony at Recent Assembly Joint Hearing on Elder Abuse
On February 22, the Aging & Long-Term Care and Public Safety Committee hosted the hearing From Financial Scams to Surveillance Cams: A Spotlight on Elder and Adult Abuse. The hearing was convened by Assemblymembers Yamada (D-Davis) and Ammiano (D-San Francisco) and brought together stakeholders from law enforcement, District Attorneys, APS, Ombudsman, Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, and Advocacy Organizations. Lisa Nerenberg testified on behalf of CEJW.
CEJW Law Enforcement Survey Shows Need for Training on Financial Abuse
CEJW conducted a statewide survey of police officers and sheriffs to assess their elder abuse training needs. Topping the list of priorities for the 40 responders were training in financial scams, ways to work with financial institutions in investigating financial crimes, and how “mental capacity” relates to decision-making. Respondents also overwhelmingly (82%) showed support for changing the W&I Code to require reports of abuse of elders or disabled adults residing in long-term care facilities to be made to both Long Term Care Ombudsman and law enforcement.
In response to responders’ interest in financial crime investigations, CEJW has begun working with the Elder Financial Protection Network (EFPN) to explore state and federal policy related to financial institutions’ role in abuse investigations and loss prevention. A first step will be a panel at EFPN’s annual Call to Action on March 31, which will include representatives from law enforcement, APS, and security officers from banks and credit unions. It will be facilitated by Elizabeth Loewy, Esq., Deputy District Attorney, New York County, and the prosecutor in the Brook Astor case. For more on the EFPN event, see: http://www.bewiseonline.org/pro/calltoaction/index.shtml
Thank you for Your Feedback on the Draft Statewide Elder Abuse Blueprint
Your feedback is being compiled and integrated into the final blueprint which will be available in Spring 2011. Once completed, the blueprint will be made available to local, state, and national program developers, policy makers, foundations, and other stakeholders to assist in planning future policy, program, and research initiatives. Stay tuned!
CEJW Environmental Scan Informs Elder Abuse Blueprint Development Process
In order to build upon previous work, the California Elder Justice Workgroup (CEJW) has identified and reviewed reports published in the past as well as documents released as the project progressed. Some were incorporated into the summit background papers to inform small group discussions; others will be referenced in the project statewide elder abuse blueprint, and final report. To download the environmental scan, click here.
CEJW Offers Input to California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)
In August 2010, CEJW Steering Committee members recently reviewed the CA Strategic Plan on Suicide Prevention and the CA Strategic Plan on Stigma and Discrimination Reduction and identified recommended actions that CalMHSA could prioritize to benefit older adults/adults with disabilities including racially and culturally diverse elders. CalMHSA solicited stakeholder input regarding implementation of future Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Statewide Projects. Projects will be implemented based on priority recommended actions submitted by stakeholder groups.
Recommended priority actions for elder suicide prevention included (based on the CA Strategic Plan on Suicide Prevention Strategic Directions):
- Priority #1 - Create a System of Suicide Prevention
- Priority #2 - Improve Suicide Prevention Program Effectiveness and System Accountability
- Priority #3 - Implement Training and Workforce Enhancements to Prevent Suicide
- Priority #4 - Educate Communities to Take Action to Prevent Suicide
Recommended priority actions for mental health stigma and discrimination included (based on the CA Strategic Plan on Stigma and Discrimination Strategic Directions):
- Priority #1 - Address the multiple stigmas of persons living with mental health challenges who are also faced with discrimination based on their race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical disability, or other societal biases.
- Priority #2 - Create widespread understanding and recognition within the public and across all systems that: People at various points in their lives experience different degrees of mental health from wellness to crisis.
- Priority #3 - Provide increased support for those closely involved with the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges
- Priority #4 - Create a more holistic and integrated approach to physical health and mental wellness
- Priority #5 - Promote the dignity and safety of mental health consumers and their family members by training and educating law enforcement, first responders, other medical personnel, and the community at large to reduce stigmatizing attitudes and discriminating behavior.
Older Americans Act Reauthorization
The Older Americans Act (OAA), passed in 1965, established a comprehensive and coordinated service system for older Americans. It also established programs and services to prevent elder abuse and neglect. The Act will be reauthorized in 2011, providing an excellent opportunity for advocates to shape the federal government’s response to elder abuse. As part of the reauthorization process, the Administration on Aging, which administers OAA programs, is soliciting feedback and hosting “listening sessions” across the country (CEJW’s summit on April 29-30, 2010 was a listening session).
California Ombudsman Program Under Scrutiny
On November 3, 2009, the California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes issued California’s Elder Abuse Investigators: Ombudsman Shackled by Conflicting Laws and Duties. The report, which was prepared for California Senate Rules Committee at the request of Subcommittee on Aging and Long-Term Care raises troubling questions about California’s response to allegations of abuse in long term care (LTC) facilities. In coming months, the Senate Subcommittee will be conducting hearings on the report and its recommendations.
Rather than endorsing specific recommendations contained in the report, CEJW proposes the guiding principles to serve as a template for evaluating various proposals for reform.
Mental Health Service Needs of Vulnerable Elders: A Fact Sheet
This fact sheet was developed to help aging service providers participate in the MHSA stakeholder process so that MHSA funds can address the critical needs of elders with mental health needs, particularly those who are abused or vulnerable, and their caregivers. It describes relationships between elder abuse and mental health problems, identifies services needed by vulnerable elders, presents examples of programs that meet MHSA guidelines, and offers suggestions for how advocates for the elderly can get involved.
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· Your feedback is being compiled and integrated into the final blueprint which will be available in Spring 2011. Once completed, the blueprint will be made available to local, state, and national program developers, policy makers, foundations, and other stakeholders to assist in planning future policy, program, and research initiatives. Stay tuned!
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