Agenda

Return

C.101

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Date:	December 4, 2018

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Adult Protective Services and Challenges for Aged & Disabled Populations

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 12/04/2018

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:	Victoria Tolbert (925) 608-4805
cc:	EHS Director EHS Aging & Adult Svcs CAO-H&HS Deputy CAO

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: December 4, 2018
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ACCEPT report from the Employment and Human Services Department on aging and adult services, including the progress made to address the issue of elder abuse in Contra Costa County.

FISCAL IMPACT:

No fiscal impact.

BACKGROUND:

On May 23, 2000, the Board of Supervisors referred to the Family and Human Services Committee (FHS) an annual report on the progress made on the issue of elder abuse in Contra Costa County. Between 2000 and 2015, Committee has received an annual status report from the Employment and Human Services (EHS) Department.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

On December 14, 2015, the Family and Human Services Committee received a report from the EHS on this referral. At the time of the report, the new Aging and Adult Services Director was a recent hire, having only been with the department a couple of months. Since the new director had identified various strategies to address some pending issues, such as staffing and crisis response times, and program changes were in transition, the FHS agreed to postpone the annual report until such time as the department would be prepared to discuss a timeline addressing the program and operational challenges discussed.

FHS received the attached report on October 22, 2018. Aging and Adult Services Director Victoria Tolbert reported that the two major challenges facing the aging population are housing insecurity and poverty. Ms. Tolbert explained that Aging and Adult Services offers a continuum of services that address a range of needs. Examples of services include putting safety features in the home, a Whole Person Care program for individuals with significant medical issues, adult protective services, and “no wrong door”. She reported that awareness of the support number (1-800-510-2020) has increased.

The program has struggled with a shortage of direct services staff, particularly social workers and in-home support services staff. The Department is working on placing more energy into staff development to internally build the needed knowledge and skill sets.

Aging and Adult Services is working to identify non-licensed facilities and help them achieve licensing to increase supply. An option discussed was creating a County certification, so if they cannot obtain a state license, they come out of the shadows and have some oversight.

Another issue discussed was hospitals lacking safe locations to which to discharge people. Aging and Adult Services coordinates with discharge planners and hospitals to coordinate safe discharges. Possible legislation would ban hospital discharges to shelters without an available bed. Senior specific shelters would help to close the capacity gap.

EHS made a final request for the Board of Supervisors to engage in supporting and spreading awareness about these services.