FISCAL IMPACT:
County to apply for and receive an amount not to exceed $383,328 from the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to fund the Elder Abuse Prevention Project for a one year period (January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023). The first half of the grant (1/1/2023 – 6/30/2023) is already budgeted in FY 2022-23, while the second half (7/1/2023 – 12/31/2023) will be included in the budget for FY 2023-24. The project is supported through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program. The VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program of $383,328 (20VOCA =$191,664; 21VOCA=$191,664) requires a cash and/or in-kind match (20VOCA Match 20%=$47,916; 21VOCA Match 20%=47,916) equal to 20 percent of the total project cost (Pre-match Waiver of $479,160). The Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD) will submit a Waiver for the Match. If the waiver is not approved, there will be a match of $95,832 with Adult Protective Services (APS) funds. The VOCA amount being sought out is 100% Federal. AL#16.575.
BACKGROUND:
The goal of the Elder Abuse Prevention Project (EAPP) is to bridge the gap in services addressing Elder Abuse. EAPP is designed to provide direct services to elders in a coordinated manner. The program design takes into account approximately 5,200 annual Adult Protective Services (APS) reports of abuse, 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 of Contra Costa County. The EAPP also allows the County to utilize data from EmpowerDB to ensure that these cases are handled in a coordinated fashion. The EAPP provides a platform to raise awareness in the community by helping all providers and the community to better identify and respond to cases of elder abuse.
This grant funding will be used to:
1. Continue identification and early intervention of financial abuse of the elderly in Contra Costa County;
2. Increase victim safety through linkages to mental health services and civil legal services;
3. Strengthen linkages and working relationships among agency partners working with APS clients to better meet the needs of vulnerable Elders at risk of abuse; and
4. Increase community awareness and understanding of Elder Abuse leading to better identification of cases by community members.
Employment and Human Services Department's (EHSD) Aging and Adult Services will partner with Contra Costa Family Justice Center, District Attorney’s Office, and other contracted 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.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without funding, the Adult Protection Services (APS) Division and its contracted partners will lessen their ability to respond to an increasing number of vulnerable elder adults facing financial abuse, interpersonal violence, neglect, and exploitation.