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30 | RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES

Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST) Supports Investigations and Prosecutions

C ases involving financial exploitation are complex, time consuming and challenging to investigate. The COVID-19 pandemic made elder and dependent adults even more vulnerable to fraud. Many became more isolated and less engaged with family and community-based organizations. Riverside County APS and the Riverside Sheriff’s Office responded to the need by developing the Financial Abuse Specialized Team (FAST). FAST APS social workers collaborate with Sheriff’s investigators and law enforcement agencies to conduct thorough investigations, secure assets, provide T he APS Initiated Restraining Order (AIRO), born out of a legislative proposal from Riverside County, identified a gap in services to protect clients from financial abuse. The bill became law on July 1, 2016, and allows an APS agency to file an Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order on behalf of a client who has been a victim of elder abuse or neglect, but due to diminished capacity, is unable to protect their person or assets.

brief case management services and move the case to criminal prosecution when warranted. FAST relies on a variety of tools to support its investigations, including a FAST multidisciplinary team to consult on complex cases and a forensic analysis program to evaluate complex records. client investigations managed by the FAST unit , 95% of them aged 60 or older, during Fiscal Year 2023/24 1,194

APS-Initiated Restraining Orders Strengthen Protections

“It’s a really good tool we use for protection of our clients and their assets,” says Michaela Williams, Senior Community Program Specialist. APS utilizes the AIRO to provide immediate protection for a client in need while a long-term intervention plan is put in place. Since its inception, Riverside County has successfully obtained 28 Temporary Restraining Orders, with 18 transitioning to a Permanent Restraining Order.