FINAL_22_21_DPSS_AnnualReport

RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES

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Employees with the Crisis Response and Intervention Services unit.

Expanding Crisis Response Units With help from $5.8 million in federal and state grants, the Crisis Response and Intervention Services team (CRIS), helped support hundreds of homeless seniors and those at risk of living on the streets.

a housing voucher program in partnership with the Housing Authority of the County of River- side to help at-risk adults find a safe, affordable place to call home. Last year, this team helped over 450 homeless seniors and dependent adults obtain appropriate housing; and preven- ted over 600 unstably housed seniors and de- pendent adults from becoming homeless. countywide. The two agencies work together to streamline cross-reporting and collaboration on complex cases. The collaboration is helping social workers learn what is needed for law enforcement to conduct a criminal investigation and seek prosecution against individuals who exploit older adults. The FAST team received a 2022 award from the National Association of Counties for improving outcomes and efficiencies in financial abuse investigations.

Part of the unit’s work includes securing short- term transitional housing, including hotels, and

FAST: Financial Abuse Specialized Team

Financial exploitation is among the most common form of elder abuse. Adult Protective Services investigates nearly 4,000 financial exploitation cases yearly involving older adults. An increased need for investigations led to the formation of the Financial Abuse Specialized Team, or FAST. Since creating this pilot program, FAST has grown—adding a second unit of social workers and supervisors. The unit has partnered with the Sheriff’s Department, which has identified a team of investigators

Annual Report 2021/2022