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C. 22

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Kathy Gallagher, Employment & Human Services Director
Date:	November 19, 2019

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Adult Protective Services Elder Abuse Prevention Project Grant Funding

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 11/19/2019

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Elaine Burres 608-4960

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: November 19, 2019
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services Director, or designee, on behalf of the Adult Protective Services, to apply for and accept grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Victim Services Branch for the Elder Abuse (XE) Program, in an amount not to exceed $200,000 for the period of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

FISCAL IMPACT:

County to receive an amount not to exceed $200,000 (100% Federal CFDA 16.575) from the Governor's California Office of Emergency Services to fund the Elder Abuse Prevention Project for a one year period. The program is supported through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and requires a cash and/or in-kind match match equal to 20 percent of the total project cost, which is $250,000.Therefore, Employment and Human Services Department will match $50,000.

BACKGROUND:

The goal of the Elder Abuse Prevention Project (EAPP) is to bridge the gap in services addressing Elder Abuse. The purpose of the XE Program funding is to enhance the safety of elder and dependent adult victims of crime by providing direct services to victims and bridging the gap between elder justice service providers and victim service providers. The program design takes into account approximately 6,000 annual Adult Protective Services (APS) caseload, and focuses on the areas where direct service is most required: financial abuse, case management, and counseling. This focus will increase justice for, and safety of, elder residents and dependent adults of Contra Costa County.

This grant funding will be used to:

Continue to fund a 1.0 FTE Elder Abuse Victim Specialist dedicated to serving elder and dependent adult victims
Provide and coordinate direct services for elder and dependent adult victims
Expand the communities’ capacity to service elder and dependent adult victims
Ensure that elder and dependent adult victims have access to the criminal justice system; and
Implement a number of outreach awareness programs for victims and mandated reporters of elder and dependent adult abuse and others who come into contact with these victims.

EHSD’s Aging & Adult Services will partner with the District Attorney’s Office, and community partners to deliver the elder abuse prevention and interventions outlined in the proposal application to Cal OES. Additional partners may be identified and added as needed.

Pros and cons of request:

Pros:

Leverages existing APS services and community partners to address gaps in services for elder adults and dependent adults who are victims of crime, elder abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation.
Focuses on prevention in order for older adults to be in a safe environment.
Builds capacity for the County’s network of community service providers and Adult Protective Services to continue the success of the Elder Abuse Prevention Program.

Cons:

Sustainability of program funding beyond end of grant term, December 31, 2020.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

Without funding, the Adult Protection Services division will continue to face an increasing number of vulnerable elder and dependent adults facing financial abuse, interpersonal violence, neglect and exploitation.