PATH among agencies now investigating reports of abuse
By Paul Swiech ; pantagraph.com ; jULY 23, 2013
BLOOMINGTON — Adults with disabilities living in the community and who believe they have been abused, neglected or exploited have a new number to call.
The Illinois Department on Aging — whose hotline is 866-800-1409 — has taken over investigation of allegations from the Office of the Inspector General. Aging has contracted with more than 40 non-profit organizations that will investigate, make referrals to agencies that can help people to stay safe in their homes, and involve law enforcement if requested by the client.
“This is a good move,” said Jessica Bury, adult protective services supervisor at Bloomington-based PATH (Providing Access to Help). “For a population that was under-served, hopefully, we’ll be able to help them.”
PATH is among the 40 organizations serving people with physical and intellectual disabilities who are not in nursing homes or in assisted living facilities. PATH provides the service in McLean and Livingston counties; other agencies provide the service elsewhere.
The agencies had been providing investigation of abuse, neglect and exploitation of people ages 60 and older — and will keep those responsibilities, Bury said Tuesday. Adult protective services are funded by the state.
The transfer this month from the inspector general to the Department on Aging was mandated by a new state law following a newspaper analysis of problems with investigations.
“This is a great protection for people with disabilities who live in the community to have the expertise of people who have investigated cases involving the aging,” said Laura Furlong, chief executive officer of Marcfirst, which provides services to people with developmental disabilities.
Furlong said under the Inspector General, completing investigations involving people with disabilities was “not always timely. Aging has had a better response, which is better for the community.”
PATH has four case workers — including Bury — who are investigating allegations involving adults with dis-abilities and older adults. The agency has hired an additional case worker to handle the expected increase in investigations. Case workers also are being trained to work with people with disabilities and PATH is connecting with other organizations that serve people with disabilities, Bury said.
“We’re on a learning curve but we’re ready for the new challenges,” she said.
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/path-among-agencies-now-investigatng-reports-of-abuse/article_d3d4714e-f3bf-11e2-b9b1-0019bb2963f4.html
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Help is available
People who wish to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of people with disabilities ages 18 through 59 or adults ages 60 and older may call 866-800-1409 or agencies in the following counties:
McLean, Livingston
PATH, 211 or 309-827-4005
DeWitt
Community Home Environmental Learning Project Inc. (CHELP), 217-422-9888
Ford
Elder Care Services of Ford-Iroquois Counties, 815-432-2483
LaSalle
Alternatives for the Older Adult, 309-277-0167
Logan
Senior Services of Central Illinois, 217-632-3208
Piatt
Family Services Senior Resource Center, 217-352-5100
Tazewell, Woodford
Senior Services of the Center for Prevention of Abuse, 309-637-3905
SOURCES: Jessica Bury, Illinois Department on Aging
By Paul Swiech ; pantagraph.com ; jULY 23, 2013
BLOOMINGTON — Adults with disabilities living in the community and who believe they have been abused, neglected or exploited have a new number to call.
The Illinois Department on Aging — whose hotline is 866-800-1409 — has taken over investigation of allegations from the Office of the Inspector General. Aging has contracted with more than 40 non-profit organizations that will investigate, make referrals to agencies that can help people to stay safe in their homes, and involve law enforcement if requested by the client.
“This is a good move,” said Jessica Bury, adult protective services supervisor at Bloomington-based PATH (Providing Access to Help). “For a population that was under-served, hopefully, we’ll be able to help them.”
PATH is among the 40 organizations serving people with physical and intellectual disabilities who are not in nursing homes or in assisted living facilities. PATH provides the service in McLean and Livingston counties; other agencies provide the service elsewhere.
The agencies had been providing investigation of abuse, neglect and exploitation of people ages 60 and older — and will keep those responsibilities, Bury said Tuesday. Adult protective services are funded by the state.
The transfer this month from the inspector general to the Department on Aging was mandated by a new state law following a newspaper analysis of problems with investigations.
“This is a great protection for people with disabilities who live in the community to have the expertise of people who have investigated cases involving the aging,” said Laura Furlong, chief executive officer of Marcfirst, which provides services to people with developmental disabilities.
Furlong said under the Inspector General, completing investigations involving people with disabilities was “not always timely. Aging has had a better response, which is better for the community.”
PATH has four case workers — including Bury — who are investigating allegations involving adults with dis-abilities and older adults. The agency has hired an additional case worker to handle the expected increase in investigations. Case workers also are being trained to work with people with disabilities and PATH is connecting with other organizations that serve people with disabilities, Bury said.
“We’re on a learning curve but we’re ready for the new challenges,” she said.
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/path-among-agencies-now-investigatng-reports-of-abuse/article_d3d4714e-f3bf-11e2-b9b1-0019bb2963f4.html
###
Help is available
People who wish to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of people with disabilities ages 18 through 59 or adults ages 60 and older may call 866-800-1409 or agencies in the following counties:
McLean, Livingston
PATH, 211 or 309-827-4005
DeWitt
Community Home Environmental Learning Project Inc. (CHELP), 217-422-9888
Ford
Elder Care Services of Ford-Iroquois Counties, 815-432-2483
LaSalle
Alternatives for the Older Adult, 309-277-0167
Logan
Senior Services of Central Illinois, 217-632-3208
Piatt
Family Services Senior Resource Center, 217-352-5100
Tazewell, Woodford
Senior Services of the Center for Prevention of Abuse, 309-637-3905
SOURCES: Jessica Bury, Illinois Department on Aging
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