Justice Center Update NYSACRA 12 th Annual Leadership Conference December 4,

Vision People with special needs shall be protected from abuse, neglect and mistreatment. This will be accomplished by assuring that the state maintains the nation’s highest standards of health, safety and dignity; and by supporting the dedicated men and women who provide services. 2 The Justice Center is committed to supporting and protecting the health, safety, and dignity of all people with special needs and disabilities through advocacy of their civil rights, prevention of mistreatment, and investigation of all allegations of abuse and neglect so that appropriate actions are taken. Mission

Overview Abuse Prevention Training and Guidance Support for Individuals Receiving Services and Their Families Streamline and Improve Reporting & Investigations 3

Pre-employment Checks and Code of Conduct Advocacy Oversight and Monitoring Prevention of Abuse and Neglect Work Group Reporting and Data Analytics Abuse Prevention Activities of the Justice Center 4

Staff Exclusion List (SEL): If on the SEL, the employer shall not hire or otherwise allow such a person to have regular and substantial contact with a service recipient. For all custodians, defined as anyone who has regular and substantial contact with individuals receiving services from a covered setting. Governs the conduct of custodians in areas of safety, dignity, respect, community inclusion and protection. Pre-Employment Checks and Code of Conduct 5 Pre-Employment Checks Code of Conduct

Advocacy Services Information and Referral M-F 8:30am - 4:30pm Short-Term Case Advocacy Ombudsperson for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Program Adult Homes Advocacy Program Surrogate Decision Making Committees 6

Conducts oversight reviews in facilities to help ensure safety, security, and the well-being of people with disabilities Works with providers and State Oversight Agencies (e.g. OPWDD) to develop corrective actions to address systemic issues of concern identified through investigations or oversight reviews Supports monitoring efforts by State Oversight Agencies to ensure implementation of corrective actions Spotlight on Prevention Oversight and Monitoring 7

Prevention of Abuse and Neglect Workgroup Purpose: To identify ‘durable corrective and preventive actions that address the conditions which cause or contribute to the occurrence of incidents’ of abuse and neglect. (Source: The Measure of a Society)The Measure of a Society Work Group Members: OPWDD, OMH, SED, OCFS, OASAS, and Governor’s Office Reports to Justice Center Steering Committee Tools and resources for providers, individuals receiving services and family members will become available on the Justice Center website 8

Reporting and Analytics Data source: Vulnerable Persons Central Register (VPCR) Analyze trends to predict incidents of abuse and neglect 9

Training and Guidance Law Enforcement and Investigator Training Academy Guidance for Staff and Individuals and Families 10

Law Enforcement and Investigator Training Goal: develop more efficient and effective responses to, and investigations of, allegations of abuse and neglect, including those that may be criminal acts. 1.Disability Awareness Training for Local Law Enforcement 2.Forensic Interviewing Techniques for Persons with Disabilities 11

Guidance for Staff, Individuals and Families Guidance for staff and volunteers involved in a Justice Center investigation can be found at Similar guidance for individuals and families will be issued in

Support for Individuals Receiving Services and Their Families The Justice Center’s Individual and Family Support Unit Vulnerable Persons Task Force 13

Individual and Family Support Unit Answers questions or concerns about allegations of abuse and neglect Works with service recipients involved in criminal investigations that are under the jurisdiction of the Justice Center’s Special Prosecutor / Inspector General (SPIG) Serves as a liaison with local crime victims advocates Provides guidance to service recipient if required to appear as a witness or file victim impact statement Assists with Victim Compensation application process 14 CONTACT or CONTACT or

Vulnerable Persons Task Force Modeled on NYS’s “multi-disciplinary teams” for child sexual abuse investigations. Task force will include victim advocates, medical professionals, law enforcement and District Attorneys to ensure that cases are pursued and victims are effectively supported. 15

Streamline and Improve Reporting & Investigation Providers will be able to upload investigations directly to the VPCR Universal Incident Management Systems Under Development Streamline Case Closing Process 16

Thank you Report abuse or neglect: Information and referral: General information line: Employment opportunities: 17