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Adult Protective Services Quarterly News | Fall 2021

Learn how your stateissued laptop can convert spoken words into text by utilizing speech recognition technology!

Forensic Interviewing

Photo Submitted By: Anita Canonica, APS

FALL 2021 | TABLE OF CONTENTS

Regional Success Stories

What is Rhetoric?

Together we are transforming lives.

APS Employee Spotlight

Getting to know your colleagues.

Learn how rhetoric is used in everyday communication.

All Photos on this Page Submitted By: Anita Canonica, APS

APS Events Be sure to check out all the upcoming APS events so you can learn more and stay updated on the latest happenings that impact APS and your important role in the division.

HELLO FROM

KATHY MORGAN

FORENSIC INTERVIEWING In the summer of 2019, the Adult Protective Services division leadership applied for and received a grant from the Administration for Community Living to enhance the APS program. This three-year grant began September 2019 and will continue through August 2022 (3-year grant). There are several objectives and outcome requirements included in the plan for this grant; one of which was a focus on enhancing and expanding training opportunities available to APS staff. Based on feedback and input received from staff across the state over the years, and our APS program strategic initiatives, forensic interviewing was selected as a focus for this spending. Forensic interviewing provides staff with additional tools that will assist in the work that we do. Forensic interviewing is an art and a skill that requires learning, practice, and patience. It is a set of skills that are unique, but transferable, to most populations and communities that we serve. The course teaches the protocol for forensic interviewing of vulnerable adults specifically created for Washington’s APS staff. This protocol guides an interviewer through a clear and concise process on how to do a forensic interview with a vulnerable adult. The curriculum focuses on memory, trauma’s impact on memory, suggestibility, and cognitive bias.

The culmination of the course is a simulated interview with an actor portraying a vulnerable adult so that participants may practice their newly developed skill-set. Ultimately, the course aims to provide a solid foundation for APS staff in forensic interviewing so that they may immediately apply their skills and support the continued development of their own style of interviewing. In 2020, the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence within the University of Washington, was selected to develop the curriculum for the APS forensic interviewing course due to their extensive experience in the field of forensic interviewing. They began working with a group of APS staff to tailor a standard forensic interviewing curriculum for the vulnerable adult population. In the summer of 2021, two groups of APS field staff were able to attend the 4-day training and provide feedback on its content and cadence. After reviewing evaluation results from both pilots, the curriculum was finalized, and a training plan was developed. Beginning in October, all APS staff will begin registering and attending the training facilitated by our partners at the Alliance. Looking ahead to the future, forensic interviewing will become the APS standard approach for conducting alleged victim interviews. As has been demonstrated and documented for several years, forensic interviewing of the vulnerable adult population allows an interviewer to gather the most accurate picture of the allegations. By following the protocol, we make room for an alleged victim to share their story from their perspective, ultimately giving them back power. Further information will be forthcoming through management bulletins, emails and other communications as we roll this training out statewide for all staff.

HELLO FROM PAULA HUGHES

CARE FOR YOURSELF In APS our role is to protect and care for vulnerable adults throughout our state. This responsibility, while rewarding, is not without its challenges even under the most normal of circumstances. Throw a global pandemic into the equation and combination of emotions such as feeling overwhelmed, unsure, stressed and anxious can easily surface. Often, when a person has a responsibility to care and be of service to others, they can easily neglect to provide that same level of support to themselves. Put simply, we exhaust our emotional reserves intended for high stress situations and begin neglecting our own well-being making our emotional reserve run on empty for longer than it should. I want to remind and emphasize how important is it for each of you to take care of yourself and pay attention to your emotions, thoughts and physical being. Below is some guidance and ideas from the CDC on ways each of us can help keep our emotional reserves going. Pause. Breathe. Notice how you feel. Take slow deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Observe how you are feeling and what you are thinking, without judgment. Instead of responding or reacting to those thoughts or feelings, note them, and then let them go. Take breaks from upsetting content Make time to unwind. Try relaxation techniques and listening to music. Try to do some other activities you enjoy. Take care of your body Exercise regularly. Even one session of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reduces anxiety, and even short bouts of physical activity are beneficial. Rest Get plenty of sleep. Be consistent. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including on the weekends. Reach out and stay connected Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. Check in with your loved ones often. It can help you and your loved ones feel less lonely and isolated. Seek help if overwhelmed or unsafe If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or have feelings of wanting to harm yourself or others, reach out to professionals who can support you.

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. The changes that can happen because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ways we try to contain the spread of the virus can affect anyone. It’s important to take care of your family, friends and others, but it should be balanced with care for yourself.

Photo Submitted By: Anita Canonica, APS

UPDATES AND SAFETY SCREENING As of September 1, 2021, all Adult Protective Services investigators should be using the safety screening tool for investigations assigned September 1, 2021, and forward. A series of 4 webinars were held in August to show the tool and answer staff questions. A recording of one of the webinars was uploaded into WSLC and is required viewing for all APS staff. The deployment of the safety screening tool will ensure that our APS program: 1) has a standard way to approach safety concerns for alleged victims; 2) is in line with national best practices in the field of APS; and 3) is meeting our stated goals by explicitly addressing safety for alleged victims. There is a final 3-month open comment period for all staff to submit feedback on the tool through November 30, 2021. Feedback can be submitted directly to Victoria Gawlik Morse at Victoria.GawlikMorse@dshs.wa.gov. RISK SCREENING Please keep an eye out for an email later in the Fall with an invite to a series of webinars on the risk screening tool. CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE AND RELIEF ACT In early 2021, our Adult Protective Services program applied for and received funding from congress through the Administration for Community Living under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021: Grants to Enhance Adult Protective Services to Respond to COVID-19. Every state, as well as all territories, were able to apply for a share of $93 million total funding. Washington’s APS program received approximately $1.9 million of these funds. Allowable expenditures for this funding include improving and supporting remote work, community outreach and marketing, direct goods and services for alleged victims, personal protective equipment, and training related to COVID-19 to name a few. Our APS program has already begun to spend this funding. Funding allocated must be spent by September 30, 2022. If you are interested in learning more about this funding click here.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT In the summer of 2021, the Administration for Community Living announced a second round of funding was available under the American Rescue Plan passed by congress. As with the Coronavirus Response and Relief funding, all states and territories were eligible to apply for a proportionate share of an available $86 million. Washington’s APS program applied for and received $1.7 million. Allowable expenditures for this funding include expanding elder justice networks, community outreach, providing goods and services to alleged victims, and improving data collection to name a few. Our APS program will need to spend the funding in its entirety by September 30, 2023. If you are interested in learning more about this funding click here. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Next legislative session is not until 2022, but we are already busy preparing our proposals. You may recall from past years that APS has had several legislative goals: 1) petition process for registry removal for certain individuals, 2) amending the definition of “abuse”; and 3) various technical fixes. You may also recall that “abuse” had been amended last session, and will be effective July 1, 2022 (RCW 74.34.020). That leaves the petition process and technical fixes. APS will be proposing legislation this year for each goal, have draft language ready, and are meeting with stakeholders. Stayed tuned for updates as session approaches! In addition, there are to other legislative topics that impact APS this coming year. First, the “Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act” (or, UGA) goes into effect for adults on January 1, 2022. Secondly, a bill last session consolidated all civil protective orders (including vulnerable adult protections orders – VAPOs) into one chapter: 7.105 RCW. This is effective July 1, 2022. As always, let us know if you have any questions!

INFORMATION

REGIONAL EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT Olympia, WA

Greg Pruett SS Specialist Region 1

Rebeca Estrada CISM Program Manager Region 2

Greg Pruett joined APS in our small Clarkston office in February of 2019. Since that time, he has proven to be an asset for the combined Walla Walla/ Clarkston Team and Region 1. Greg has volunteered on multiple occasions to assist others by taking on extra work, investigations, and completing courtesy interviews, which requires driving many extra miles to assist with investigations in other offices. Greg is extremely organized and utilizes One Note to help with his organization. He is always willing to share his expansive knowledge of this software to help others organize their workload. Greg brings forth a great “Can Do” attitude and is always willing to share ways to remain positive when things get tough! Rebeca Estrada started with us the beginning of July and has hit the ground running. Thankfully for us she has had previous Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) experience from when she worked at DOC. There she oversaw the CISM program and created Crisis Response Teams. I am so excited about the CISM role Rebeca is in and the support she can bring to the staff in the region. Rebeca has brought a ray of sunshine to the region. We are so lucky to have found her! She has also been working to support R3 while recruitment is under way. In Rebeca’s spare time I know that she enjoys the outdoors and has taken in a hike or two this summer and is on the search to find and purchase a home in the greater Seattle area.

Teri Coley truly exemplifies what APS is all about and “why” we do what we do. Teri works hard, loves her job and truly cares about those we serve. She recently made a visit to an individual who was in the hospital. On her way back to the office, she received a call and was informed the individual would be discharging home. Teri told the caller that this discharge plan would be unsafe. The individual didn’t want to go to a facility and declined to sign the paperwork. Teri turned around and went back to meet with the individual, who was visibly distraught, to discuss the importance of her being safe. She Teri Coley approached a delicate situation with care, compassion, and understanding. Leadworker - SS Specialist 4 Teri shared that recognizing the small moments like these are important and Region 3 she is excited to help people. I believe this is not just a small moment, but a huge one with lasting impact. As a result of Teri taking that extra step, the individual decided to sign the paperwork to discharge safely to an adult family home. Teri shared it is “incredible to make a difference in another human being’s life.” Teri, your work is certainly inspiring, and it is exciting to see the difference you make in vulnerable adults’ lives. Thank you!

Headquarters Spotlight NEW HQ STAFF: OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT SPECIALISTS In July, under the COVID Relief grant, three project staff were hired to support the work outlined in the new federal funding opportunities. These staff are Outreach and Engagement Specialists who report to the APS Grant Director and will be available to support community outreach, contracting, and other efforts relevant to the grants. Angela Allen, Nicole Bullis, and Chasity Smith have already began meeting with leadership in each region to listen and learn about ways that their positions can best serve each region. If you have questions or would like to know more, see below for the contact information for this team. Angela Allen

Angela.Allen@dshs.wa.gov

Region 1

Chasity Smith

Chasity.Smith@dshs.wa.gov

Region 2

Nicole Bullis

Nicole.Bullis@dshs.wa.gov

Region 3

Victoria Gawlik Morse

Victoria.GawlikMorse@dshs.wa.gov

Supervisor

Team Shared Email

APS.Grants@dshs.wa.gov

TIVA 2 Updates TIVA2 1.10 Release in September: • Redesign of the appeals page, creation of a dashboard for the Due Process Unit, enhancements to DataMart to allow for more comprehensive appeals reports. • 90 Day Performance Measure report published to the Power BI report library. • Supervisors given access to Perceptive Content, a tool to provide easier access to TIVA2 uploads. What’s coming: • Case notes report • Changes to date/time picker • Copy intake function for intake • New reason for restriction field • New feature to capture requests for law enforcement intervention

REGION 1

COLLABORATION IS KEY Our Walla Walla office received a high priority assignment after centralized intake received a call from a palliative care nurse regarding an alleged victim refusing EMS services. The alleged victim’s decision-making was impacted by multiple medical conditions and severe dehydration. The investigator and supervisor responded and discovered the alleged victim had been down on the floor for over 12 hours. Due to the newly passed “Use of Force” laws, EMS and law enforcement chose to stand down, as the alleged victim was declining all assistance. The investigator followed protocols and collaborated with the AAG and obtained a temporary restraining order to transport. By effectively working with the local jurisdictions to assist the alleged victim in obtaining emergency medical care, the alleged victim is now recovering in a skilled nursing facility.

REGION 2

GRANT MONEY SUPPORT NEED

Staff have been really utilizing the grant money awarded to APS from the ACL. Here are some of the ways this is happening to support our AVs: PURCHASE

The AV no longer drives and needed a regular ID to set We were able to purchase an ID for the client. This was up a bank account to gain access to his SSI checks. identified as a need during our investigation. The AV lives in a home with no A/C, the AV’s husband had been seen dumping water on their home to try and cool themselves off. The AV later went to the hospital for heat stroke.

We were able to purchase an A/C unit for a client. This directly related to the intake APS received.

The AV’s clothes were stolen from the laundry room at his apartment complex.

We were able to purchase the client new undergarments and a few shirts to supplement what he got through available agency resources.

The AV has memory problems and can wander at times.

We were able to purchase a simple door alarm to assist the caretaker in keeping the client safe.

The AV is part of a financial exploitation case and We were able to gain headquarters approval to pay this accumulated a PUD bill in the amount of $5001.71 bill for the client in order for them to start paying off other due to it not being paid by their representative. debt and keep them safe in their home with power on. The client needs help paying for declutter and cleaning We were able to pay for their PSE bill of $21.35 to in their home. They also were behind on some bills. assist them.

REGIONAL SUCCESS STORIES

REGION 3

ABOVE AND BEYOND The Region 3 success story is about Dawn Earnest, APS investigator, and Christina Hailey, APS supervisor. Dawn was assigned many investigations regarding abuse and neglect potentially occurring in an Adult Family Home. These investigations are high profile, and Dawn worked diligently with the AAG, headquarters, RCS, DDA, law enforcement, GAL, hospital staff and many others parties involved. She paid close attention to intricacy of the cases and advocated for the AVs who resided there. Even with many investigations open regarding this AFH, Dawn was knowledgeable about every aspect of each case and continued to complete her assigned investigative work in a timely manner. One of the investigations involved an AP who recently lost two of her children and her income as an IP. The AP reached out to Dawn for help regarding food stamps. Dawn took time out of her busy schedule to help the AP apply for food stamps, even after the cases had been closed with substantiated findings. Dawn goes the extra mile, and she truly cares for our vulnerable population. Christina also played an important role in these investigations. Christina and Dawn have worked closely together and have collaborated with outside entities weekly. Christina was always aware of the cases’ status and was supportive of Dawn during the investigations. Christina never hesitated to accompany Dawn out into the field when needed. In addition, she has done an excellent job working with Dawn to substantiate on some of the investigations. Christina is a supportive supervisor who consistently goes above and beyond not only for our vulnerable adults, but also for our lead workers and investigators.

GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER Understanding how our unique experiences contribute to a diverse workforce

Mohamed Said has dedicated his life to serving communities locally and abroad. This Region 2 APS investigator, who has been with ALTSA for two and a half years, grew up in Seattle and worked in law enforcement, as a correctional officer and with Somali Community Services of Seattle before moving into his current role. “My whole life I’ve been in protecting people, corrections, law enforcement. That’s what I did for a long time,” Mohamed said. “With APS, I continue the public service route where I continue to protect the vulnerable members of our society.”

MOHAMED SAID - APS INVESTIGATOR, REGION 2

MOHAMED’S STORY (CONTINUED) But that’s not the only way Mohamed serves communities. In 2013, he traveled halfway across the world to Rwanda, where a friend from college had returned after getting his education. He immediately fell in love with the country. During that first trip, his friend took him to visit a rural village three hours from the country’s capital of Kigali. The kids there were playing soccer with a ball they’d created from garbage and goals made of two upright sticks. Mohamed was determined to get those kids real soccer balls and, for those with access to courts, basketballs. He started a small nonprofit that collects balls and delivers them to rural villages around Rwanda. He has been back to the country the last two summers, each time with between 50 and 100 balls in tow to deliver to the kids there. “It might be small to us, but for a child who’s never had access to soccer balls, it’s a lifechanging experience,” he said. He gets the donations of balls mostly through word of mouth and social media and credits APS and ALTSA with allowing him the time off to pursue this passion. His goal is to one day raise enough money to build a basketball gym in rural Rwanda, which would open more doors for kids who might build their skills enough to be eligible for scholarships abroad. Once they have their educations, they can return to their home country and make a difference for others. When he’s not working at APS or on his nonprofit, Mohamed likes to play basketball, often with his 13-year-old son, who he is raising full-time. Although his son hasn’t been able to travel to Rwanda yet, Mohamed looks forward to the day he can share his love for the country with him.

What is Rhetoric: A Working Definition We often question new information or things that act to the contrary of held beliefs. However, we tend to not ever question the information that was first presented to us on various topics. Examples include the following: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Matters of race Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Political beliefs Workplace norms (new ways to complete old tasks) Telework Programs designed to enhance workplace experiences General status quo that upholds the structures of White Supremacy Views about marginalized people Senior citizens Military Combat Veterans Hearing, Visually, and Physically Challenged Persons Persons with a serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) Persons with Cognitive Impairments Gamblers and Substance Abusers Autism Spectrum Persons Gifted and Talented Persons Persons Living in Poverty Sex Offenders The Homeless Felons

Rhetoric is the way in which you communicate in everyday life. These communications can be persuasive in nature and can consist of text, images, video, or any other type of media. Rhetoric requires an understanding and control of language and knowledge of culture; the rhetorical situation which includes the purpose, audience, topic, writer, and context, genre; and other aspects to achieve an intended purpose. In many cases, rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos) can also contribute to this intended purpose. • Different Modes of Persuasion • Logos, an appeal to logic • Pathos, an appeal to emotion • Ethos, an appeal to ethics/character • Kairos, an appeal to the opportune time • Rhetoric and Media

Divisive rhetoric or bad rhetoric are terms we often hear in today’s media sources, which often gives a negative perception of rhetoric even if someone may not understand what it exactly is. They focus on persuasion techniques and speech rather than written text. Now, rhetoric encompasses not only speeches and written works, but also visual rhetoric such as images and film. Rhetoric can enhance a composition, make speeches more engaging, persuasive, memorable, and create trust. However, if it is not used properly or responsibly could cause problems or have adverse consequences. For example, when used to convince others to think a certain way or to take a certain side in a debate or discussion. Also, be mindful of the audience, the situation, the tone, and choices of word as they can have consequences and different impacts. In addition, somethings to avoid with rhetoric are: • Relying on single sources for information • Failure to question those things presented to you which have no basis in facts • Not listening to another’s experiences or perspectives because they challenge your sense of “normalcy” or “hierarchy” • Looking for oppressions where there are merely inconveniences Rhetoric is everywhere and can involve any form of speech, written word(s), images, movies, documentaries, the news and media etc. It can be verbal, non-verbal, and written form. Rhetoric can be a tool, a system, and a way for people to convey information, promote the effectiveness, and efficiency of communication. By understanding rhetoric and how the modes of persuasion work will create a framework to help you think critically and creatively.

UPCOMING | APS EVENTS Afternoon Insights Date

Topic

Presenters

October 5 1 PM - 2 PM

Healthy aging and health services

Cory Bolkan, PhD Associate Professor, Washington State University

November 2 1 PM - 2 PM

Fraud, Scams, and the Effect on Victims

Debbie Deem Financial Abuse Specialist Team Coordinator Ventura County California Retired FBI Victim Specialist

December 7 12 PM - 1 PM

Rurality and Aging

Raven Weaver, PhD Assistant Professor, Washington State University

Registration Link

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2627741942494040079

Presentation materials can be found on the APS SharePoint site here here.. If you have ideas for topics, please contact Victoria Gawlik Morse at Victoria.GawlikMorse@dshs.wa.gov Victoria.GawlikMorse@dshs.wa.gov..

Coffee Break with Kathy | October 26 from | 9 AM – 10 AM | Register Here Kathy and Paula Roadshows

APS COVID Updates

• Tuesday, October 26 | 1 PM • Tuesday, November 16 | 1 PM • Thursday, December 9 | 9 AM

Meetings will take place via zoom and information will be sent to staff by their Regional Administrators.

The registration links for all the APS COVID Updates is here.

Resources for APS Staff Voice to Text - Laptop Features In mid-July, all staff received an email from Kathy Morgan, APS Director, with information about a pilot of the dictate function available within MS Office 365 (other names for this function include Speech-toText and Voice-to-Text). As stated, dictate can be used on your state-issued laptop to convert spoken words into text by utilizing speech recognition technology. As part of this pilot, a survey was sent out to all staff about the function. As of August 18, 2021, 62.7% of survey respondents agreed that dictate helped them to achieve their work goals and 72.5% agreed that dictate is a useful tool. If you haven’t used this function yet, please try it. Instructions can be found here. We are working on getting this feature on iPhones so stay tuned!

Photo Submitted By: Anita Canonica, APS