On June 1, 2007, Attorney General Rob McKenna hosted more than 100 statewide experts for at a Vulnerable Adults Summit. The summit focused on the abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of the vulnerable adult community.
The summit consisted of a series of breakout sessions with participants forming workgroups to identify and implement solutions, such as methods to improve cross-community coordination and potential legislation.
Issues in Protecting Vulnerable Adults
Audio of selected portions of the program:
Opening remarks by Attorney General
McKennaOpening remarks by Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit Director Dawn
CortezPerspective from Department of Social and Health Services by Adult Protective Services Program Manager Lori
MelchioriPerspective from AG's Consumer Protection Unit by Outreach Coordinator Rebecca
SearsPerspective from Law Enforcement by Spokane Detective Kirk
KimberlyPerspective from Long-Term Care Ombudsman Louise
RyanPerspective from King County Prosecuting Attorney Tim
LearyPerspective from the Banking Industry by Rainier Pacific Bank's Lisa
Johnson
Summit participants were tasked by Attorney General McKenna and the summit co-chairs to identify the critical issues impacting vulnerable adults. By the end of the session, summit participants had established a list of nearly 90 areas of concern — issues that could be addressed by lawmakers, caregivers, advocates and the community at large. The full list may be found at http://www.atg.wa.gov/vulnerableadults.aspx.
At the summit’s conclusion, participants were asked to identify themselves and others as possible contributors to solution-oriented work groups. Work groups were subsequently assembled and presented their reports to Attorney General McKenna on May 9, 2008.
Their final report was released later that year-- and serves as the basis for legislation requested by Attorney General McKenna in the 2009 and 2010 legislative sessions.
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