SESSION I: GATEKEEPER FUNDAMENTALS OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM'S HISTORY AND START-UP CONSIDERATIONS Gatekeeper state-wide expansion and implementation

Your presenters today Paul Iarrobino Multnomah County Aging & Disability Services Lynn Schemmer-Valleau Multnomah County Aging & Disability Services

History of the Gatekeeper Program Developed in 1978 by Ray Raschko, MSW Started in Older Adult Mental Health Response to isolated older adults with little or no support Seen as a way to connect older adults to community resources Grounded in the “Multi-Disciplinary Approach” Ray’s motto was “do no further harm” The Gatekeeper model has grown nationally and internationally Gatekeeper is considered a national best practice for identifying isolated, at-risk older adults and connecting them to critical community services

Why Gatekeeper is a Best Practice Provides streamlined access to a confusing array of services Trained businesses empowered to advocate for customers Helps businesses ensure outreach to their disenfranchised customers Helps provide access for consumers who are often not aware of our services Provides a community “safety net” Helps “non-mandatory” reporters to see there is a needed role for their help Training curriculum is tailored to the business or agency

Why is this program important to the business community? Helps customers achieve a better outcome Good public/partnership to support consumer Business wants to help but goes beyond their scope of work Peace of mind that consumer will get some follow up Gatekeeper referrals are welcomed – not seen as a “complaintant” Able to provide good customer support while also managing business They appreciate single entry access – one phone number and do not have to know our jargon.

What Is Asked of Gatekeepers? Gatekeepers are not asked to be counselors or social workers or to change their daily activities. Gatekeepers learn to identify red flags that may indicate someone is ill, in trouble or struggling and refer consumer to a central location for follow up and evaluation.

The Multnomah County Experience 1987 Started with grant funding from Meyer Memorial Trust to provide seed money to start Gatekeeper and an Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) This three year grant covered East Multnomah County and was based at a local non-profit An advisory group was established to develop procedures, outreach & marketing plan and evaluation

Accomplishments during the pilot project During the pilot Gatekeepers in the community  referred over 300 individuals  48% were unknown to us & offered service linkages  25% were receiving services prior to the referral. (The Gatekeeper was able to spot changes before assigned case manager was aware. These referrals helped with new care planning.) “Mrs. Jones has been a customer with us for 42 years. She received a shut off notice while she was in the hospital. She said she needs help with paying her bills. Could someone check on her?”  Over 23 organizations participated in the program and produced nearly 2,000 trained Gatekeepers at work in our community

Sustainability of the Program in Multnomah county 1990 Gatekeeper went county-wide after pilot and absorbed by local AAA Expanded the program and included a 0.5 FTE Coordinator Conducted 47 community presentations/trainings to 34 different groups Conducted 2 “train the trainer sessions” to build a speaker’s bureau to help conduct community trainings 2012 Celebrated 25 Year Anniversary Started entering calls into ADRC call module (prior calls were entered into other call modules) Received Award funding from The Aging Network’s Volunteer Collaborative under the “What’s Working– Effective Practices” program

Getting Started… Identifying key partners Identifying a “hub” and a lead agency Developing protocols Sharing of information with partners Engaging the business community Planning for sustainability How to develop a programs in your community

Key Elements of a Gatekeeper Program Development of protocols and triage techniques Having mechanisms for sharing information Having MOU’s/ working agreement with partners Identification of partners & establishing a lead agency/hub

Developing an advisory committee - external stakeholders Identify key leaders, organizations, companies/agencies with a vested interest. Interested parties generally include: Utility Companies Police/Fire/Rescue Support Programs Banks/Credit Unions Letter Carriers Housing Transportation Can you think of a group in your community?

Be sure to include key internal stakeholders & partners Identify key internal or community partners Interested parties could include: Adult Protective Services Mental Health Developmental Disabilities APD staff Centers for Independent Living Senior Centers Community Advocates ???? Can you think who needs to be at the table in your community?

Lead AgencyHub Establishing a Lead Agency and a Hub Area Agency on Aging ADRC is a great a hub Law Enforcement Community Non Profit Older Adult Mental Health Agency A combined response  Lead Agency can partner with another agency for support like training

Examples of Models for the Gatekeeper Program In Multnomah County:  Part of our 24/7Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)  Housed in “Type B” Area Agency on Aging (AAA)  Referrals assigned internally to APS and case managers  Referrals also assigned to senior center case managers  All referrals logged into ADRC call module and ed to worker & supervisor  Program been operational for 27 years in Multnomah County

Examples of Models for the Gatekeeper Program In Clackamas County: Clackamas County is a “Type A” AAA Clackamas Resource Connection: CRC is the Gatekeeper hub Gatekeeper referrals come in through CRC’s ADRC the referral is directed to the appropriate office That office contacts the individual, assess their needs, and assist in providing whatever help is required from the appropriate health or social service organizations

Examples of Models for the Gatekeeper Program In Washington County  Washington County is a “Type A” AAA  Washington County Department of Aging and Veterans Services (DAVS) partners with the Washington County Sheriff’s Elder Safe program  Referrals are made to the DAVS Adult Protective Services Line  Community presentations and trainings are done by a point person at the Sheriff’s office/Elder Safe program

What are your next steps? Who are stakeholders in your community? Can you identify who could be the lead agency or hub? What types of MOU’s or agreements will you need to effectively implement your Gatekeeper program? What will be the process for taking Gatekeeper calls? How will you track data? Follow up? Who will train Gatekeepers? Who will be the point person for trouble shooting problems and bringing together all parties?

Q & A What questions do you have for Multnomah County? Paul Iarrobino Lynn Schemmer-Valleau

Coming soon to a webinar near you… Thursday, February :00 AM Gatekeeper Planning & Implementation Covering the nuts and bolts of launching and building a successful program Wednesday, March :00 AM Gatekeeper Sustainability How to build volunteers, provide recognition, develop media strategies & seek in-kind support & additional funding