Resources for MDTs

Join our MDT Coordinator meetings
Building the success of California's Elder Abuse MDTs is the purpose of CEJC's A*Team Project. MDTs provide direction for the A*Team's work
by raising issues of concern and highlighting gaps in the system that limit their success in resolving complex cases. Bi-monthly meetings
with MDT Coordinators provide a forum for MDT coordinators to network, share their concerns and local innovations, and to learn new approaches to this essential work.

To be added to our meeting invitation list, contact Carol Sewell at [email protected].

**About the CEJC A*Team**

CEJC's A*Team was created to resolve the systemic issues Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Teams encounter. Working from a list of issues identified by MDTs themselves, this team of elder abuse experts will study the policies and practices behind the problems to offer recommendations for legislative, administrative, or operational changes to facilitate better outcomes for MDT cases. Funded through a 3-year, Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime grant, the A*Team coordinator will meet with California MDT coordinators to learn their concerns, provide access to information and resources, and create a venue for information-sharing.

CEJC's A*Team is a five-member team of experts working to resolve the systemic issues that prevent elder abuse MDTs from resolving cases. The team wants to hear from you about the roadblocks you encounter from communication barriers, obstacles to completing investigations, obtaining necessary information or records, or conflicting legal interpretations between partner organizations.

Members of the A*Team were selected for their experience and understanding of the laws and practices involved in the investigation, prosecution and prevention of elder abuse. Members include:

Melissa Brown, JD, Elder Law Clinic Director, McGeorge School of Law
Debbie Deem, FBI Victim Advocate, Retired, and FAST Team Coordinator
Paul Greenwood, Elder Abuse Unit Prosecutor, San Diego District Attorney’s Office (Retired)
Andrea Higgens, Elder Abuse Investigator, San Mateo District Attorney’s Office
Angela Rosato, Coordinator, Riverside County Elder Abuse Forensic Center

The establishment of Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Teams is authorized by California Welfare & Institutions Code 15610.55 (a), as follows:
“Multidisciplinary personnel team” means any team of two or more persons who are trained in the prevention, identification, management, or treatment of abuse of elderly or dependent adults and who are qualified to provide a broad range of services related to abuse of elderly or dependent adults.
(b) A multidisciplinary personnel team may include, but need not be limited to, any of the following:
(1) Psychiatrists, psychologists, or other trained counseling personnel.
(2) Police officers or other law enforcement agents, including district attorneys.

(3) Health practitioners, as defined in Section 15610.37.(4) Social workers with experience or training in prevention of abuse of elderly or dependent adults.
(5) Public guardians, public conservators, or public administrators.
(6) The local long-term care ombudsman.
(7) Child welfare services personnel.
(8) Representatives of a health plan.
(9) Housing representatives.
(10) County counsel.(11) A person with expertise in finance or accounting.(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 85, Sec. 64. (AB 135) Effective July 16, 2021.)