El Dorado County Adult Protective Services

It is beneficial that many of the County departments and entities which are involved in providing adult protective services are co-located in one building on Briw Road in Placerville. This includes the Adult Protective Services Department, Ombudsman Program, Multipurpose Senior Services (MSSP) and Linkages Programs, In-Home Supportive Services, Visiting Nurse Program, Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP), Public Guardian and District Attorney.

A Multidisciplinary Adult Services Team (MAST) meets monthly to review and discuss cases that present unusual challenges to systems, involve multiple agencies, or require cooperative access to resources. Participants include staff from Adult Protective Services (APS), Public Guardian, Mental Health, Marshall Hospital, Long Term Care Ombudsman, Citizen Advocates for the Protection of Elders (CAPE), Information and Assistance, In-Home Supportive Services, MSSP/Linkages, ALTA Regional Center, Victim Witness Services and Public 31 Health. Law Enforcement, Animal Services, Code Enforcement and other agencies sometimes attend for specific cases. Educational presentations are provided as suggested or requested.

The Elder Protection Unit (EPU) also meets monthly to review and discuss cases that are being considered for, or are in the process of, criminal prosecution or civil litigation. Participants include staff from the District Attorney’s Office (Prosecutor, Investigator, and Legal Secretary) Deputy County Counsel, Public Guardian, Senior Legal Services Attorneys, Victim Witness Services, LTC Ombudsman, Adult Protective Services, Probate Bar Representative and a Certified Investment Advisor & CPA. Educational presentations are provided as suggested or requested.

The Multidisciplinary Death Review Team (MDRT) meets monthly to review pediatric (under 18 years) and geriatric (over 60 years) deaths in the community with the goal of identifying and collecting data about premature or preventable death. Participants include Public Health Nursing Management, County Sheriff & Coroner, Placerville Police Department, Snowline Hospice, Human Services Child Protective Services (CPS), APS, and LTC Ombudsman, DA and Victim Witness, Deputy County Counsel and New Morning Youth & Family Services. Educational presentations are provided as suggested or requested.

The El Dorado County Protective Services Department also interfaces with a substantial network of programs which utilize volunteers to support the well- being of elders and dependant adults and aid in the prevention of their abuse. They include: • Citizen Advocates for the Protection of Elders (CAPE) provides intake information to identify and prevent possible elder abuse. • Family Caregiver Support provides information and support services to informal caregivers of older individuals to maintain independence in a home setting. • Friendly Visitor Program provides friendship, support and contact for isolated or homebound seniors through home visits. • Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) personnel are trained to provide assistance with Medicare problems, health insurance and long term care insurance. • Long Term Care Ombudsman Advocates monitor the quality of care and life of residents of skilled nursing facilities and elderly residential care homes. • Senior Center Activities volunteers provide a variety of recreational activities and educational opportunities designed for seniors. • Senior Nutrition Programs assists in the provision of hot nutritious lunches in both a congregate and home-delivered setting. • You Are Not Alone (YANA) provides a free daily telephone check-in and reassurance service available 7 days a week supported by the Sheriff’s Team of Active Retirees and Human Service Volunteers. • Sheriff’s Team of Active Retirees (STAR) senior volunteers assist the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office to enhance crime prevention. 32 33