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June is recognized by the California State Legislature, the California Department of Social Services and a large coalition of agencies dedicated to protecting the most at-risk populations, as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month. I had the honor and privilege of attending The California Statewide Elder and Dependent Adult Awareness Event on June 7, 2018 and hearing some AMAZING speakers, including Ms. Kecia Weller who is near and dear to my heart. Following the presentation of a California Assembly Resolution for Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness, authored and presented by Assembly Member Ash Kalra, Kecia gave a very moving victim impact statement about her personal experience with sexual violence and her path to getting the help she needed.
The event itself was an innovative approach to raising awareness about the serious issue of abuse as it highlighted presentations and contest awards/awardees. Contest categories included a 1 minute public service video, a 1 minute radio spot/slogan or hashtag and a poster contest. The contest was open to everyone and included youth, adult and professional categories. All contest entries were required to address the basic theme that abuse of anyone (including/especially seniors and people with disabilities) is a human rights issue that should concern us all. The presentations were absolutely phenomenal and our very own Arc Solano took home the 2nd place in the category of a 1 minute radio spot. Congratulations to The Arc Solano!
In addition to the incredible contest presentations the event included several TED-style Talks that all addressed issues of abuse and innovative ways to approach addressing the complexities of abuse of elders and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Keynote Address was given by Mary Twomey from The Office of Elder Justice and Adult Protection Services, Administration of Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If you have never had the chance to hear Mary speak I encourage to make every effort possible to do so if you ever get the chance. Her speech was titled The Last Frontier – Adult Abuse and What the Future Holds – and I can’t even begin to summarize what she said because it was all so important and accurate but the one thing she emphasized was the need for data. Data, data and more data is essential to getting funding at the federal level to address the issue of abuse of elder and adults with I/DD.
I want to give a HUGE shout out to everyone that made this event happen and suggest that these are the events that will raise awareness and create a stronger sense of community and safety for elders and adults with I/DD that are at-risk of or are in abuse situations. On behalf of The Arc/UCP California Collaboration THANK YOU to Director Lightbourne, CDSS, Leza Colema, California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association, Lori Delagrammatikas, Adult Protection Services Liaison, CDSS and everyone else that participated and made this event happen!
Teresa Anderson, Policy Director, The Arc & UCP California Collaboration