DPSS Adult Services receives national honors for three programs that fight elder abuse, streamline care & training
WASHINGTON – Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), Adult Services Division, has received three national awards for their work toward streamlining enrollment for in-home caregivers, combating elder and dependent care abuse, and bridging gaps between professional and in-home geriatric care.
DPSS Adult Services was recognized with Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that enhance services for residents.
“We are extremely proud of this national recognition but more importantly, we are pleased that we have the partnerships in place to offer such important services to support seniors in Riverside County,” said DPSS Director Susan von Zabern.
The programs receiving this honor include:
- Riverside County Elder Abuse Forensic Center (EAFC)
- Centralized Orientation and Enrollment (COrE): Expediting Elder Care-A Community-based Approach
- Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Partnership (GWEP): Bridging Gaps between Professional & In-Home Geriatric Care
Jennifer Claar, Assistant Director DPSS Adult Services said, “Thank you to NACo for recognizing our achievements and congratulations to the county employees who work so closely together to improve services for this rapidly growing and vulnerable population.”
NACo recognized the program titled Elder Abuse Forensic Center (EAFC), an evidence-based program striving to improve our community’s ability to combat, investigate, and prosecute elder and dependent adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The EAFC enhances collaboration and service provision among partner agencies such as The Office of the District Attorney, Riverside University Health System, UC Riverside, Riverside Legal Aid, Department of Behavioral Health, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and Department of Public Social Services.
Also receiving top honors is the Centralized Orientation and Enrollment (COrE): Expediting Elder Care: A Community-based Approach. The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), Public Authority Centralized Orientation and Enrollment (COrE) program is an innovative, mobile, community-accessible, one-stop service model designed to expedite the on-boarding of in-home caregivers by streamlining the state-mandated provider enrollment process. With COrE, the average time required to activate care and caregiver pay has decreased by 51% and is shorter than the time reported throughout the state.
The third program being recognized is the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Partnership (GWEP): Bridging Gaps between Professional & In-Home Geriatric Care. GWEP offers free community-based trainings for caregivers, and seminars and case presentations for multi-disciplinary professional staff focusing on collaborative care, dementia-related challenges, home safety/fall prevention, and caregiverstress. The trainings bridge gaps between the elderly and in-home caregivers, social workers, and health care professionals by increasing communication and alignment of best practice approaches to care and intervention.
“Our Adult Services staff are always looking for ways to effectively meet the growing needs of our senior and disabled adults through innovative and collaborative partnerships. We are excited to see these programs receive recognition on a national level,” said von Zabern.
Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.
NACo will recognize award-winning counties at its 2018 Annual Conference and Exposition July 13-16 in Nashville, TN.
