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The Elder Abuse Forensic Center offers a number of
services including:
- Multi-agency team case review and action plans
- In-home medical and mental status evaluations
- In-home evidentiary investigation
- Taped victim interviews
- Education and training
- Consultation
All coordinated services ultimately provide assistance to seniors
and adults with disabilities who have been allegedly abused or
neglected.
Team Case Review:
To provide the most comprehensive service, the multi-agency team
reviews cases assigned to the Center. The core team consists of
Adult Protective Services, the Vulnerable Adults Specialist Team,
the Sheriff's Department and the police officers from the case's
jurisdiction, the Office of the District Attorney, Victim's Services,
and the Ombudsman are available to offer advice when appropriate. The
team assists the referring agency to ensure the safety of the older or
dependent adult. The goal of each plan is to keep the client safely at
home or in the least restrictive care setting. While formal case
reviews occur weekly, informal meetings occur daily between the
agencies.
Home Medical Assessment/Investigation:
When necessary, the Center's physicians, psychologists, law enforcement
officers, deputy district attorneys and social service providers
evaluate and assist the at-risk adult at home. The home setting is the
best setting because:
- This is where the vulnerable adult is most comfortable
- Health, safety, and care-giving information can be obtained by
evaluating the client's living environment
Education and Training:
Education and training are key components to the Center. Medical students, residents, and University of California, Irvine College of Medicine and other colleges of medicine receive training in elder abuse at the center.
In addition to educating students, the Elder Abuse Forensic Center will
eventually serve as a national training center, where professionals from
across the country can gain useful training on the medical and forensic
aspects of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, financial) and neglect,
in-home medical and mental status assessment strategies, law enforcement
requirements, civil remedies, and steps in initiating inter-agency
collaboration.
Consultation:
In addition to serving seniors in Orange County, the Elder Abuse Forensic
Center is accessible to medical and forensic professionals in other areas
of the country via phone consultation, tele-consultation, record/photo/video
review, and email. This feature provides accessibility to much needed expertise
without duplicating infrastructure costs.
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