A 2011 initiative of the

Center for Elder Justice & Policywith support from the

Stevens Square Foundation

Financial Abuse Specialist Team

FAST?It’s not one of those New Year’s resolution

diet schemes.

FAST?It’s not about being glued (holding fast).

FASTIf you’re thinking speed, there’s a

connection.

FASTFiduciary Abuse Specialist Team orFinancial Abuse Specialist Team

Generally county orientedSome do case consultation only.Some do consultation and intervention.Some are composed solely of county staff.Many have extensive professional volunteer

involvement.Some provide consultation and training to

wider audiences (e.g. health care providers).

A first in MinnesotaEarly models developed in California – LA County

and Santa Clara CountyHennepin County is project focusThe spark: Carla Hagen, Hennepin County

Attorney, prosecutes financial exploitation casesGrant: Stevens Square FoundationProject timeline: January 1 – September 30, 2011Project Director: Iris C. Freeman, CEJPResearch Assistant: Rachel Bakke, WMCL student

Phase 1: January & FebruaryWork with Hennepin County officials to

assure that the FAST will be designed to fit contemporary and emerging needs.

Publicize project through VAJP and other networks.

Hire student research assistant.Research existing models, their planning,

operations, and evaluation components.Research confidentiality, ethics, and

liability issues affecting FAST operations.

Phase 1: January & FebruaryDevelop charge to planning group and overall

work plan.Outreach to establish advisory planning groupWe are seeking advice from the public and

private sectors.Adult Protective Services and OmbudsmanLaw Enforcement and ProsecutorsState and federal input (DHS, FBI, FTC)Geriatrician, geropsychologistBankers, bank investigators, other financial services

regulatorsGuardians…insurance experts…many more

Phase 2: March – August Conduct 6 monthly meetings to develop a

blueprint for the FAST, and reach agreement onDecide on a model: Roles and functions of a

Hennepin County FAST (March)Recruitment (who should be on the FAST),

terms of service, orientation, types of cases that will be addressed (April)

Operations: regular meetings? emergency consultations? other roles? (May)

Leadership and resources – what does it take to carry this on for the long haul? (June)

Phase 2: March - AugustThe agenda for July is “loose ends from the

prior four meetings.” Just guessing, of course.

Determine the kinds of policies and record-keeping that will be necessary; planning for evaluation (August)

Phase 3: SeptemberReach a formal commitment and memoranda of

understanding as necessary based on decisions reached at the planning meetings.

Circulate documents for signatures.Publicize the establishment of MN’s first FAST.Final report to Stevens Square Foundation

And if, despite best efforts, the project does not result in a FAST, the project team will prepare a full report on work done, barriers encountered, and alternative means to strengthen the county’s ability to detect and respond to financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.

The possibilitiesSanta Clara County’s FAST Team has

reports that they have recovered and/or prevented the loss of $127 million. (Malks, May 16, 2006).Real property $79,417,800Liquid assets $27,360,508Stocks, bonds $10,344.569Restitution/recovery/ $ 9,964,319

settlement

The sum = $127,087,196