1. Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST): A Collaborative Opportunity with Unique Challenges
Donata Mikulik, Elder Justice Coordinator (Sonoma), Senior Advocacy Services
Mark Vanderscoff, Program Manager (Marin),  Adult Social Services

2. What is FAST ? F Financial A Abuse S Specialist T Team
A team that consists of both private and public sector employees and volunteers who provide training and consultation on recognizing, investigating, stopping and preventing financial elder abuse.
California Welfare and Institutions Code for MDTs Sections , 15633 , 15634, 15636, 15637 , 15754, 10850   

3. History FAST has a history in Marin dating from 2005.
Sonoma had a FAST team but it lacked referrals and consistent membership. At the 2014 Elder Justice Summit, Sonoma learned about the Marin model and re-established FAST in Fall 2015.
Late in 2010, Marin County Aging and Adult Services proposed a new form of FAST that would allow county employees and community volunteers to work together towards elder financial abuse prevention.

4. FAST Goals Decrease Elder Abuse Increase positive case outcomes
Increase case prosecution
Coordinate community response

5. THE MODEL FAST Volunteers Must:
Sign up and qualify as a County Volunteer
Sign a conflict of interest statement
Sign a confidentiality oath
Obtain criminal record clearance
Make a one year commitment
Choose a FAST role
Attend the FAST team meetings every month(Sonoma)/other month(Marin).
Complete any trainings required by Marin County.
Send in hours served between the 1st and 5th of every month (Marin)/quarterly (Sonoma).

6. 20 Marin/12 Sonoma Volunteers
3 Service Roles:
Financial experts work on financial abuse cases
Community educators provide information to the community about elder abuse and how to prevent it
Consultants keep the team up to date

7. FAST Volunteers are: Vetted through County volunteer program
Background checked and fingerprinted
In agreement with conflict of interest/confidentiality requirements
Committed to 1-year terms
Able to document hours and submit timesheets

8. Expert Fields of Experience
Real Estate
Law
Banking
Financial Planning
Trusts
Insurance
Assessor
Annuities
Securities
Collectables
Accounting
Taxes
Lending
Private Fiduciary

9. FAST Partners Aging & Adult Services Adult Protective Services
Ombudsman
District Attorney
Public Guardian
Law Enforcement
Vicim Advocates
Legal Aid

10. Structure FAST Coordintator FAST Facilitator
Receives Case referrals; helps with presentation; provides updates
Receives Volunteer Interests; provides training & recognition
Tracks documentation, submits timesheets to County,
Provides meeting reminders and logistical updates
Coordinates outreach & public awareness activities
Recruits & retains volunteers
Coordinator is link with APS that allows FAST to function under MDT W & I code – and is responsible for training all participants as an MDT member.

11. Behind the Scenes
FAST team is chaired by Mark Vanderscoff, Adult Social Services Program Manager, Marin County Aging & Adult Services.
Activities are coordinated by Mandy Reyes, Administrative Assistant, Marin County Aging & Adult Services.

12. Volunteer Perspective
Case review
Community Educators

13. Challenges Attendance New cases Long time to resolve a single case
Volunteers as expert witnesses

14. Thank you!
Donata Mikulik Mark Vanderskoff