SAVE IDAHO SENIORS

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Currently, the state of Idaho has no state agency that provides Adult Protection Services (APS) directly.  Rather, Idaho provides APS by proxy, through 3rd party contractors (known as AAA, or Area Agency on Aging.)  This contract is between the State of Idaho Commission on Aging (ICOA) and 6 AAA contract offices throughout the state of Idaho.

Area Agency on Aging offices are nonprofit entities governed by a Board, however they are contractors and not overseen directly by the Office of the Governor, like Idaho Commission on Aging (ICOA) is.

There are many concerning parts to Idaho's system of contracting out Adult Protective Services to nonprofit entities, starting with Southwest Area Agency on Aging.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT AND/OR REASONABLE FOR THE STATE OF IDAHO TO TAKE OVER ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES (APS) RESPONSIBILITIES:

Current APS contractors are underfunded to properly provide the services they are contracted for through the Idaho Commission on Aging (ICOA)

Only 7% of Southwest Area Agency on Aging (SWAAA) budget is allocated for Adult Protection Services (APS). SWAAA total budget is determined by contract with Idaho Commission on Aging (ICOA)

ICOA contractors must adhere to a 10% cap for administrative costs, between 14 adult services programs they're contracted to provide services for, which include APS, Meals on Wheels, Transportation, Diabetes classes, and more.

Employee retention rates are problematic.  Example: APS employee retention rate at SWAAA is 50%.

It has come to the attention of the SWAAA Director that calls, emails, and walk-ins to SWAAA regarding APS reports are being mishandled. Additionally, citizens are being given misinformation from SWAAA staff

First-point-of-contact employees, or ‘OPTIONS COUNSELORS,’ are not all trained to vet calls concerning adult protection.  No degree, diploma, certification, or experience required per job description. 
*Although it is preferred by SWAAA Director that ‘OPTIONS COUNSELORS’ have degrees. However, it is harder on employee retention to retain employees with degrees due to [comparatively lower] wages. Wages which are allocated in the budget from Idaho Commission on Aging (ICOA) equate to approximately $21.48/hr

There are reports of calls for APS involving life or death situations that have been grossly mishandled by SWAAA.  Critical mistakes are being made involving protection of vulnerable (elderly) adults.  APS may be best suited under IDAHO DEPT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE (IDHW).  

APS is overseen by State Health, Human, Social, or similar depts in ALL 50 STATES with the exception of: IDAHO, Illinois, and New Mexico, which contract out their APS to nonprofit/non-state government entities.

Director of SWAAA, Raul Enriquez, agrees:
“ADULT PROTECTION SERVICES IS NOT BEST SUITED UNDER A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION”

Per Mr. Enriquez: “APS IS A DISSERVICE AS [UNDER] A NONPROFIT.”

APS is understaffed 

For example, Southwest Area Agency on Aging (SWAAA): 
There are a total of 7 APS specific employees for 10 Southwest Idaho counties, including Ada and Canyon Counties, which are the most densely populated counties in Idaho.  Other counties included within SWAAA: Adams, Boise, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, Washington

FOR ALL THESE REASONS, THIS MUST CHANGE IN IDAHO

*Seniors living independently often comply with their abusers. They may be threatened or deprived of basic needs/medical care if they don't comply.  Unless these seniors SELF-REPORT, they are often not protected. 

*Seniors living independently without phones/internet or a way to SELF-REPORT are often NOT PROTECTED (suspected abusers may also often take over all social media, intercept phone calls)

*Seniors being overmedicated at home with their own medications and are unable to communicate the abuse to anyone have been reported to be NOT PROTECTED.

*Seniors being financially abused with or without their knowledge (examples: changing Power of Attorney, forging checks, unauthorized credit card use, forging signatures) have NOT BEEN PROTECTED

All of the above are examples of true stories from citizens in Idaho, who have reported losing loved ones to elder abuse. 

Abuse was reported to Southwest Area Agency on Aging, Idaho Dept of Health and Welfare (which does not oversee APS, but has agreed to be part of conversations with ICOA regarding APS), and local authorities, yet Idaho does not have an Adult Protective Services program provided directly by state government, like 47 other states have in place for adult (elderly) protective services.

What happens if a concerned citizen believes their elderly neighbor is being abused?  Or a senior they go to church with?  A senior-aged coworker? Or their own relative?  

APS reports are currently being vetted by a contracted nonprofit rather than a State department that is fully trained and equipped to handle all critical, and non-critical APS calls.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THIS.  

Idaho must provide Adult Protective Services (APS) directly to its citizens, without the option to contract APS out to nonprofit organizations, private companies, or other non-governmental entities, and to take over APS responsibility by relieving current contract holders from APS responsibilities as soon as possible.   

It is suggested, but not demanded, that Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) take control over APS.  We aim to gather community support to present to Brad Little, Governor of Idaho.

Many think of senior abuse as just physical abuse.  Most cases go far beyond that and include: emotional, psychological, sexual, neglect, abandonment, isolation, self-neglect, and financial abuse.

The current APS system has failed these seniors, but it's not too late to turn tragedy into legislation that will SAVE OTHERS.  You don't have to live in Idaho to help!

PLEASE SIGN and help us to help our elderly.  They deserve dignity, respect, SAFETY, love, and for their state to advocate better for them!!