The Dane County Coordinated Community Response to Elder Abuse (EA-CCR) is an appointed task force of the Dane County Commission on Sensitive Crimes (COSC). The EA-CCR seeks to educate the public, community agencies and service providers about elder abuse, how to assist those at risk and how to report concerns.
Elder abuse is any form of mistreatment that results in harm or loss to any person 60 years of age and older. It includes self neglect, financial exploitation, neglect, and physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
The majority of investigations are about allegations of neglect, financial exploitation and physical abuse. 70% of victims are women and those people between 60-79 years of age. In the majority of cases, family members and trusted others are the alleged abusers.
What is the EA-CCR mission?
To support the safety of older adults in our community by reducing the incidence of elder abuse through educating older adults, community agencies and service providers to identify, report and intervene when there are concerns of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
What are the objectives of the EA-CCR?
Objectives
1. Engage community systems and members in monthly meetings
2. Use existing community resources and collaborations to carry out the EACCR mission
3. Identify and support new community resources and collaborations to carry out the EACCR mission
4. Promote community events that carry out the EACCR mission
5. Offer educational opportunities to the EACCR membership in addressing and/or preventing elder abuse
6. Understand public policy that affects the well-being of elders in Dane County
7. Broaden EACCR membership and participation through inclusion, equity and diversity
Membership of EA-CCR?
The EACCR is comprised of various Dane County and area professionals, service providers, law enforcement, and community members a concern for older adults and their safety in our community. If you are interested in joining EACCR, any of its subcommittees or have questions, please email Amy Scarr at scarr.amy@danecounty.gov or call the APS Helpline at 608-261-9933.
• Domestic Violence in Later Life (DVinLL) - This committee receives funding from the State of Wisconsin to support an annual Domestic Violence in Later Life conference as well as other events and educational opportunities. DVinLL meets on an as-needed basis.
• Dane County Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST) - this committee seeks to educate and share information as well as respond to and prevent financial abuse of vulnerable adults. Membership includes law enforcement, elder law attorneys, financial institution representatives, service providers and community members with an interest in financial crimes, exploitation and scams and frauds. FAST meets virtually on the 4th Thursday of each month, 11:30am-12:30pm.
• HTF- Hoarding Task Force- This committee seeks to build and sustain collaborative response to hoarding issues by focusing on community awareness, education, harm reduction principles and referrals to services/treatments. HTF meets virtually on a quarterly basis.
• WEAAD- World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) - this committee plans and hosts events around World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to call the public’s attention to the issues of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. WEAAD meets on an as-needed basis, January-June.
