September/October 2018
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CEJC News
Changing of the Guard: CEJC Elects New Officers
As Molly Davies passes the baton to CEJC's new Chair, Carol Sewell, it is the perfect time to acknowledge their extraordinary leadership.
Molly is a founding CEJC member and personifies the spirit and grit that propelled this grassroots movement. She was instrumental in establishing a firm foundation for CEJC by helping to secure its first fiscal sponsor, Wise & Healthy Aging, and later transitioning to its current fiscal sponsor, Community Partners. During her tenure, Molly also chaired the California Long Term Care Ombudsman Association (CLTCOA), forging a strong and enduring alliance between the two organization. She is a gifted program developer, pioneering such innovations as one of the county's first support groups for victims of financial abuse and scams. CEJC's Steering Committee looks forward to Molly's continued participation as Immediate Past Chair.
Carol Sewell, Policy Director of the California Commission on Aging (CCoA) has spearheaded many of CEJC's most notable policy achievements. She has been instrumental in strengthening APS leadership and training, securing new resources for victim services, and preserving mental health resources for seniors. Under her leadership, CEJC works closely with CCoA to heighten awareness about elder justice among thought leaders, stakeholders, and policy makers in the long term services and support (LTSS), disability rights, and victim rights networks.
Also joining the leadership team is Donna Benton, Research Associate Professor at the University of Southern California, who serves as CEJC's Vice Chair. Donna is a member of the California Task Force on Family Caregiving, has served on the Steering Committee since January 2017, and previously chaired CEJC’s Subcommittee on Caregiving and Elder Abuse. She has been actively involved in elder abuse prevention, caregiving, and aging issues at the local, state, and national levels for decades and conducted pioneering research on elder abuse, including one of the nation's first cross cultural comparisons of victims' perceptions of abuse.
Changing of the Guard: CEJC Elects New Officers
As Molly Davies passes the baton to CEJC's new Chair, Carol Sewell, it is the perfect time to acknowledge their extraordinary leadership.
Molly is a founding CEJC member and personifies the spirit and grit that propelled this grassroots movement. She was instrumental in establishing a firm foundation for CEJC by helping to secure its first fiscal sponsor, Wise & Healthy Aging, and later transitioning to its current fiscal sponsor, Community Partners. During her tenure, Molly also chaired the California Long Term Care Ombudsman Association (CLTCOA), forging a strong and enduring alliance between the two organization. She is a gifted program developer, pioneering such innovations as one of the county's first support groups for victims of financial abuse and scams. CEJC's Steering Committee looks forward to Molly's continued participation as Immediate Past Chair.
Carol Sewell, Policy Director of the California Commission on Aging (CCoA) has spearheaded many of CEJC's most notable policy achievements. She has been instrumental in strengthening APS leadership and training, securing new resources for victim services, and preserving mental health resources for seniors. Under her leadership, CEJC works closely with CCoA to heighten awareness about elder justice among thought leaders, stakeholders, and policy makers in the long term services and support (LTSS), disability rights, and victim rights networks.
Also joining the leadership team is Donna Benton, Research Associate Professor at the University of Southern California, who serves as CEJC's Vice Chair. Donna is a member of the California Task Force on Family Caregiving, has served on the Steering Committee since January 2017, and previously chaired CEJC’s Subcommittee on Caregiving and Elder Abuse. She has been actively involved in elder abuse prevention, caregiving, and aging issues at the local, state, and national levels for decades and conducted pioneering research on elder abuse, including one of the nation's first cross cultural comparisons of victims' perceptions of abuse.
CEJC Hosts Membership Meeting
On September 18, CEJC's Steering Committee hosted a membership meeting for its organizational and individual members. Committee chairs described current activities and invited others to get involved. Members who missed the meeting can view it on video by contacting CEJC on our Contact Us page. Members interested in joining committees, or serving or nominating others to serve on CEJC's Steering Committee, should also send us a message on our Contact Us page.
On September 18, CEJC's Steering Committee hosted a membership meeting for its organizational and individual members. Committee chairs described current activities and invited others to get involved. Members who missed the meeting can view it on video by contacting CEJC on our Contact Us page. Members interested in joining committees, or serving or nominating others to serve on CEJC's Steering Committee, should also send us a message on our Contact Us page.
Advocates Academy Webinar: Focus on Elder Homelessness
On September 26, advocates from within and beyond California participated in “Homelessness in Older Adults: Causes, Consequences & Prevention,” which featured Dr Margot Kushel, Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and one of the nation's leading experts in preventing homelessness and mitigating the effects of housing instability on health.
The event was timed to correspond to the imminent release of a request for proposals inviting county APS programs to participate in California Home Safe, a homelessness prevention pilot project that was spearheaded by the County Welfare Directors Association and co-sponsored by CEJC. Alicia Sutton, Chief of the Housing, Homelessness and Civil Rights Branch at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), provided a brief update.CDSS is implementing the pilot.
Among the little known facts Dr. Kushel has uncovered are:
Save the date! The next Advocates Academy webinar, What’s New in Undue Influence? Tools, Definitions, and Court Responses takes place on Wednesday, November 7th and will focus on addressing undue influence through policy and practice.
On September 26, advocates from within and beyond California participated in “Homelessness in Older Adults: Causes, Consequences & Prevention,” which featured Dr Margot Kushel, Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and one of the nation's leading experts in preventing homelessness and mitigating the effects of housing instability on health.
The event was timed to correspond to the imminent release of a request for proposals inviting county APS programs to participate in California Home Safe, a homelessness prevention pilot project that was spearheaded by the County Welfare Directors Association and co-sponsored by CEJC. Alicia Sutton, Chief of the Housing, Homelessness and Civil Rights Branch at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), provided a brief update.CDSS is implementing the pilot.
Among the little known facts Dr. Kushel has uncovered are:
- 44% of homeless elders experienced homelessness for the first time after age 50;
- African Americans are at 3-4 fold increased risk; and
- Lack of advocacy and low social support were among the key risk factors..
- Expand senior housing with deep ongoing subsidies (not one time cash infusions) with priority given to those at highest risk, including people with incomes less than 30% of the area median income.
- Prevent evictions, which will require assertive outreach to high risk seniors, screening tools for homelessness risk for use by health and social services providers; and legal and financial problem solving;
- Preventing chronic homelessness for those with disabling conditions requires expanding the availability of permanent supportive housing (PSH) that is adapted for the needs of older adults. This will require full accessibility and a core of IHSS workers with training in "age friendly care" and behavioral health challenges.
Save the date! The next Advocates Academy webinar, What’s New in Undue Influence? Tools, Definitions, and Court Responses takes place on Wednesday, November 7th and will focus on addressing undue influence through policy and practice.
California News
Advocates Resist Threats to Mental Health Resources for Elders, Communities of Color
Older adult mental health programs will be protected in changes signed into law by Governor Brown in September. As introduced, SB 1004 (Wiener) would have prioritized prevention and early intervention funding for children and youth in college, making it more difficult for counties to fund prevention programs for low-income communities of color and older adults. Aging advocates convinced Senator Wiener to include older adults as a priority population for prevention and early intervention, which is critical for a growing older adult population faced with economic and social challenges. To read the text of SB 1004, click here.
Advocates Resist Threats to Mental Health Resources for Elders, Communities of Color
Older adult mental health programs will be protected in changes signed into law by Governor Brown in September. As introduced, SB 1004 (Wiener) would have prioritized prevention and early intervention funding for children and youth in college, making it more difficult for counties to fund prevention programs for low-income communities of color and older adults. Aging advocates convinced Senator Wiener to include older adults as a priority population for prevention and early intervention, which is critical for a growing older adult population faced with economic and social challenges. To read the text of SB 1004, click here.
California to Pilot New Project to Strengthen APS Workforce
California has received a 3-year grant from the Administration for Community Living to launch the "APS Leaders Institute."A core feature is a stipend program to encourage graduate social work students to pursue careers in APS. The project draws from a model that has been used successfully to attract social workers to child welfare. The Institute will be operated by San Diego State University in close collaboration with CDSS. For more, see ACL Awards Grants to 14 State Adult Protective Services Systems.
California has received a 3-year grant from the Administration for Community Living to launch the "APS Leaders Institute."A core feature is a stipend program to encourage graduate social work students to pursue careers in APS. The project draws from a model that has been used successfully to attract social workers to child welfare. The Institute will be operated by San Diego State University in close collaboration with CDSS. For more, see ACL Awards Grants to 14 State Adult Protective Services Systems.
State News, Other States
New York Scores $8.4 Million for Victims of Financial Exploitation
In August, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $8.4 million in state and federal funding to improve and expand services for vulnerable adults at risk of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Developed by the state Office of Victim Services and state Office for the Aging, the "Elder Abuse Interventions and Enhanced Multidisciplinary Teams Initiative" will fund 23 existing multidisciplinary teams currently targeting elder abuse and establish additional teams. The goal is to serve every county in the state by the fall of 2020.
New York Scores $8.4 Million for Victims of Financial Exploitation
In August, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $8.4 million in state and federal funding to improve and expand services for vulnerable adults at risk of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Developed by the state Office of Victim Services and state Office for the Aging, the "Elder Abuse Interventions and Enhanced Multidisciplinary Teams Initiative" will fund 23 existing multidisciplinary teams currently targeting elder abuse and establish additional teams. The goal is to serve every county in the state by the fall of 2020.
National News
From the Elder Justice Coalition (EJC): FY 2019 Budget Maintains Increases
Federal fiscal year (FY) 2019 began on October 1, and a funding bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education was signed into law on time. The increases that many elder justice programs saw for FY 2018 were maintained, including:
• $12 million for the Elder Justice Initiative
• $1.7 billion for the Social Services Block Grants
• $21.7 million for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program
• $3.9 million for Elder Rights Support Activities
For ongoing updates on federal elder justice legislation, visit the Elder Justice Coalition's website.
From the Elder Justice Coalition (EJC): FY 2019 Budget Maintains Increases
Federal fiscal year (FY) 2019 began on October 1, and a funding bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education was signed into law on time. The increases that many elder justice programs saw for FY 2018 were maintained, including:
• $12 million for the Elder Justice Initiative
• $1.7 billion for the Social Services Block Grants
• $21.7 million for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program
• $3.9 million for Elder Rights Support Activities
For ongoing updates on federal elder justice legislation, visit the Elder Justice Coalition's website.
VOCA Funds for States at All-Time High
The Department of Justice has awarded more than $3.4 billion to fund thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and to help compensate victims in every state for crime-related losses. Distributed through two grant programs administered by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) the awards surpass every other single-year grant award in the program’s 34-year history. Most of the funds – more than $3.3 billion – are being awarded to states under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program and will support local government and community-based victim services. In 2017, VOCA grants funded more than 6,700 local organizations across the country. Over the last two years, VOCA-funded programs have reached more than 5.2 million victims, including victims of elder abuse, providing services ranging from emergency shelter and transportation to crisis counseling, long-term therapy, and civil legal assistance. For more, see:
The Department of Justice has awarded more than $3.4 billion to fund thousands of local victim assistance programs across the country and to help compensate victims in every state for crime-related losses. Distributed through two grant programs administered by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) the awards surpass every other single-year grant award in the program’s 34-year history. Most of the funds – more than $3.3 billion – are being awarded to states under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program and will support local government and community-based victim services. In 2017, VOCA grants funded more than 6,700 local organizations across the country. Over the last two years, VOCA-funded programs have reached more than 5.2 million victims, including victims of elder abuse, providing services ranging from emergency shelter and transportation to crisis counseling, long-term therapy, and civil legal assistance. For more, see:
- Press Release
- VOCA-Funded Elder Abuse Programs, State-by-State Listing
- Elder Justice Initiative Webinar (recording): How Victim of Crimes Act (VOCA) Funds Have Been Used Across the Country to Create or Enhance Elder Justice Programs
Justice in Aging Warns of New Threats to Older Immigrants
JIA has released a new fact sheet on the Trump Administration's "public charge" rule that puts at risk the immigration status of immigrants, including US citizens and their families, who use public services and programs, including Medi-Cal, Affordable Care Act subsidies, health care, nutrition programs, and housing assistance. Another fact sheet shows how the rule would impact older adults, their families, and caregivers in California. See:
JIA has released a new fact sheet on the Trump Administration's "public charge" rule that puts at risk the immigration status of immigrants, including US citizens and their families, who use public services and programs, including Medi-Cal, Affordable Care Act subsidies, health care, nutrition programs, and housing assistance. Another fact sheet shows how the rule would impact older adults, their families, and caregivers in California. See:
- Public Charge: A Threat to the Health & Well-being of Older Adults in Immigrant Families and
- Public Charge: A Threat to the Health & Well-being of California Older Adults in Immigrant Families
International News
UN Announces Theme of 2018 International Day for Older Persons
In 1990, the General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons and announces a new theme each year, reflecting its evolving interests. This year's theme is “Celebrating Older Human Rights Champions.” It's aim is to:
UN Announces Theme of 2018 International Day for Older Persons
In 1990, the General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons and announces a new theme each year, reflecting its evolving interests. This year's theme is “Celebrating Older Human Rights Champions.” It's aim is to:
- Raise the visibility of older people as participating members of society committed to improving the enjoyment of human rights in many areas of life and not just those that affect them immediately;
- Reflect on progress and challenges in ensuring full and equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by older persons; and
- Engage broad audiences across the world and mobilize people for human rights at all stages of life.
- Promote the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and what it means in the daily lives of older persons;
New Resources
CDSS Releases Online Training For Mandated Reporters
The California Department of Social Services has released a new online course to help mandated reporters understand how, when and where to report suspected abuse or neglect and what to expect. The 90-minute course was developed by DSS by the Academy of Professional Excellence at San Diego State University’s School of Social Work. It is part of Project MASTER (Multi-disciplinary Adult Services Training and Evaluation for Results). Mandated reporters include those responsible for the care or custody of elders or dependent adults.
CDSS Releases Online Training For Mandated Reporters
The California Department of Social Services has released a new online course to help mandated reporters understand how, when and where to report suspected abuse or neglect and what to expect. The 90-minute course was developed by DSS by the Academy of Professional Excellence at San Diego State University’s School of Social Work. It is part of Project MASTER (Multi-disciplinary Adult Services Training and Evaluation for Results). Mandated reporters include those responsible for the care or custody of elders or dependent adults.
Elder Justice "No Harm" Newsletter
The Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC) has launched the Elder Justice "No Harm" Newsletter, which it produces in collaboration with the Center for Medicare Advocacy. Each issue highlights nursing home citations that have been identified as not causing any resident harm or immediate jeopardy. Its purpose is to provide the public with examples of these “no harm” deficiencies, taken from Statements of Deficiencies (SoDs) on Nursing Home Compare (an online government website providing information about the performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country. Here's how they explain it:
Effective monitoring and oversight of nursing home care are critical to ensuring the safety and dignity of residents, as well as the integrity of the public programs which pay for a majority of nursing home care. Nevertheless, numerous studies over the years have indicated that, too often, the state agencies responsible for ensuring that nursing homes meet minimum standards of care fail to identify when residents experience substandard care, abuse, or neglect. Furthermore, CMS data indicate that, even when state surveyors do identify a health violation, they only identify the deficiency as having caused any harm to a resident about four percent (4%) of the time. The failure to identify resident harm when it has occurred has pernicious implications on many levels. Fundamentally, it signifies a lack of recognition of resident suffering, degradation and even, occasionally, death. Importantly, from a policy perspective, it means that there is likely no accountability because nursing homes rarely face financial or other penalties for “no harm” deficiencies. The absence of any penalty sends a message to nursing homes that such substandard care, abuse, and neglect will be tolerated.
The Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC) has launched the Elder Justice "No Harm" Newsletter, which it produces in collaboration with the Center for Medicare Advocacy. Each issue highlights nursing home citations that have been identified as not causing any resident harm or immediate jeopardy. Its purpose is to provide the public with examples of these “no harm” deficiencies, taken from Statements of Deficiencies (SoDs) on Nursing Home Compare (an online government website providing information about the performance of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the country. Here's how they explain it:
Effective monitoring and oversight of nursing home care are critical to ensuring the safety and dignity of residents, as well as the integrity of the public programs which pay for a majority of nursing home care. Nevertheless, numerous studies over the years have indicated that, too often, the state agencies responsible for ensuring that nursing homes meet minimum standards of care fail to identify when residents experience substandard care, abuse, or neglect. Furthermore, CMS data indicate that, even when state surveyors do identify a health violation, they only identify the deficiency as having caused any harm to a resident about four percent (4%) of the time. The failure to identify resident harm when it has occurred has pernicious implications on many levels. Fundamentally, it signifies a lack of recognition of resident suffering, degradation and even, occasionally, death. Importantly, from a policy perspective, it means that there is likely no accountability because nursing homes rarely face financial or other penalties for “no harm” deficiencies. The absence of any penalty sends a message to nursing homes that such substandard care, abuse, and neglect will be tolerated.
CFPB Blog on Credit Freeze Law
Under a new federal law, caregivers who manage the finances of others can request security freezes (also called credit freezes) to help protect those they provide care to against identity theft and fraud. For more, go to Managing Someone Else’s Money: New Protection from ID Theft and Fraud.
Under a new federal law, caregivers who manage the finances of others can request security freezes (also called credit freezes) to help protect those they provide care to against identity theft and fraud. For more, go to Managing Someone Else’s Money: New Protection from ID Theft and Fraud.
Reports & Research
Understanding Romance Fraud: Insights from Domestic Violence Research
In this article that appeared in March 2018 edition of The British Journal of Criminology, researchers Cassandra Cross, Molly Dragiewicz, and Kelly Richards make the case that "thinking through domestic violence and romance fraud together offers potential benefits to both bodies of research." Drawing from interviews with 21 Australian romance fraud victims, they show how offenders use non-violent tactics to ensure compliance with ongoing demands for money, identifying similarities and differences between domestic violence and romance fraud. See Understanding Romance Fraud: Insights from Domestic Violence Research.
Understanding Romance Fraud: Insights from Domestic Violence Research
In this article that appeared in March 2018 edition of The British Journal of Criminology, researchers Cassandra Cross, Molly Dragiewicz, and Kelly Richards make the case that "thinking through domestic violence and romance fraud together offers potential benefits to both bodies of research." Drawing from interviews with 21 Australian romance fraud victims, they show how offenders use non-violent tactics to ensure compliance with ongoing demands for money, identifying similarities and differences between domestic violence and romance fraud. See Understanding Romance Fraud: Insights from Domestic Violence Research.
Media Watch
"Academic Rigor, Journalistic Flair": Publication Focuses on Elder Justice
That is the tag line for The Conversation, an independent, non-profit publication, that arose "out of deep-seated concerns for the fading quality of our public discourse – and recognition of the vital role that academic experts can play in the public arena." The publication emerged from a global network that got started in Australia in 2011 and began operating in the US in 2014 with the introduction of The Conversation US, which produces and shares articles at no charge to news organizations in hopes of strengthening under-resourced news organizations. The Associated Press distributes its articles to thousands of newsrooms daily and Conversation US articles were read over 76 million times in 2017, in every state of the union. Today, The Conversation US has relationships with scholars at more than 625 colleges and universities, and has published more than 6,000 articles since launch, with tens of thousands of readers for every article. The Conversation has increasingly focused on elder abuse and other aging issues. Examples include a recent series of articles by consumer law expert Jeff Sovern, a law professor at St. John's University, defending the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:
• Mick Mulvaney turned the CFPB from a forceful consumer watchdog into a do-nothing government cog
• Why we need to save the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
"Academic Rigor, Journalistic Flair": Publication Focuses on Elder Justice
That is the tag line for The Conversation, an independent, non-profit publication, that arose "out of deep-seated concerns for the fading quality of our public discourse – and recognition of the vital role that academic experts can play in the public arena." The publication emerged from a global network that got started in Australia in 2011 and began operating in the US in 2014 with the introduction of The Conversation US, which produces and shares articles at no charge to news organizations in hopes of strengthening under-resourced news organizations. The Associated Press distributes its articles to thousands of newsrooms daily and Conversation US articles were read over 76 million times in 2017, in every state of the union. Today, The Conversation US has relationships with scholars at more than 625 colleges and universities, and has published more than 6,000 articles since launch, with tens of thousands of readers for every article. The Conversation has increasingly focused on elder abuse and other aging issues. Examples include a recent series of articles by consumer law expert Jeff Sovern, a law professor at St. John's University, defending the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:
• Mick Mulvaney turned the CFPB from a forceful consumer watchdog into a do-nothing government cog
• Why we need to save the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Weigh In/ Get Involved
Call for Public Comments: Integrating Social Needs into Health Care
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies) is soliciting public comments to help inform the deliberations of a consensus study committee. The committee's task is to examine the potential for integrating services addressing social needs and the "social determinants of health" into the delivery of healthcare to achieve better health outcomes and to address major challenges facing the U.S. health care system.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines social determinants of health as “preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or in opportunities to achieve optimal health experienced by socially disadvantaged population groups, and communities.” Disparities are tied to disadvantages based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender and gender orientation, age, residence, and other factors linked to discrimination, social exclusion, and stigmas. Elder justice researchers are recognizing the role of social determinants in raising the risk of elder abuse, homelessness, and other threats to elders' health and security. Comments should be submitted by December 31, 2018, but will be accepted throughout the study period. See: Integrating Social Needs Care into the Delivery of Health Care to Improve the Nation's Health
Call for Public Comments: Integrating Social Needs into Health Care
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies) is soliciting public comments to help inform the deliberations of a consensus study committee. The committee's task is to examine the potential for integrating services addressing social needs and the "social determinants of health" into the delivery of healthcare to achieve better health outcomes and to address major challenges facing the U.S. health care system.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines social determinants of health as “preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or in opportunities to achieve optimal health experienced by socially disadvantaged population groups, and communities.” Disparities are tied to disadvantages based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender and gender orientation, age, residence, and other factors linked to discrimination, social exclusion, and stigmas. Elder justice researchers are recognizing the role of social determinants in raising the risk of elder abuse, homelessness, and other threats to elders' health and security. Comments should be submitted by December 31, 2018, but will be accepted throughout the study period. See: Integrating Social Needs Care into the Delivery of Health Care to Improve the Nation's Health