Senior Citizens Conference

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

The Ashtabula County Department of Job and Family Services organized and presented a Senior Citizens Conference in April 2008 to disseminate information to citizens, government agencies, and community partners concerning the continuing problems of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of community dwelling older adults. Ohio’s Adult Protective Services Law requires county departments of job and family services to investigate allegations of mistreatment and provide proactive services to vulnerable adults age 60 and over; however, both private citizens and community organizations remain unaware of this vitally important program until tragedy strikes. Regrettably, the Adult Protective Services program ends up at the center of controversy after front page headlines disclose the unfortunate discovery of a severely neglected senior citizen. The Senior Citizens Conference brought together a prominent keynote speaker, Paul Greenwood, Assistant Prosecutor for San Diego, California and other local professionals to address several key issues surrounding the provision of protective services; improving public awareness, reporting suspected abuse, prosecuting Adult Protective Services cases, and educating seniors to protect themselves. This program was presented to over 200 interested individuals in manner that proved to be both cost efficient and well-received.