TITLE
Title
NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL STATUTE 108A-118 - ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL ADULT PROTECTION MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Sharon Barlow (HHS-DSS)/Sonya Desai (FJC)
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BACKGROUND
Background
The General Assembly found that it is public policy of the State of North Carolina to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of disabled adults and older adults, and therefore promote the establishment of local adult protection multidisciplinary teams. Professionals from disparate disciplines have expertise that can promote the safety and well-being of disabled and older adults and prevent re-victimization. Multidisciplinary reviews of selected cases can lead to a greater understanding of the causes of the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of disabled and older adults.
A multidisciplinary team (MDT) is a group of professionals in a geographic region who commit to working together toward a common goal. An adult protection MDT works to find ways to prevent and respond to abuse (including physical, emotional & sexual), neglect (including self-neglect and caretaker neglect), and exploitation (including financial) of disabled and older adults. According to University of North Carolina School of Government's Adult Protection Network, over 80 counties in NC currently have or are in the process of forming adult protection MDT's. The need continues to grow as per the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services, 34% of adults aged 65 and older report living with a disability. Guilford County will look to utilize the MDT's through systemic reviews to aide this population and combat the growing statistic that reported cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older and disabled adults across NC have risen 64% over the last ten years. A systemic review MDT may include such activities as: (1) disseminating information about new services, legislation, and policy changes to members of the MDT; (2) increasing community awareness by offering trainings to the community, including older adults, caregivers, clergy, and financial institutions; (3) establishing and reinforcing reporting protocols among members; (4) increasing understanding of the various roles, responsibilities, and limitations of each of the professionals on the MDT; and (5) creating self-help materials for dissemination in the community.
The MDT shall consist of eleven mandatory members, and a maximum of an additional five members representing local agencies or the community at large can be appointed by the MDT Chair. The eleven mandatory members are outlined below as in the NCGS 108A-118:
(1) The Director of Social Services
(2) A staff member of the local department of Social Services, designated by the DSS Director
(3) A local law enforcement officer appointed by the Board of County Commissioners after consultation with the District Attorney's Office and the local department of Social Services
(4) An attorney from the District Attorney's Office, appointed by the District Attorney
(5) The public guardian appointed in the county by the Clerk of Superior Court under Article 11 of Chapter 35A of General Statutes
(6) A local mental health professional, appointed by the director of the area authority established under Chapter 122C of the General Statutes
(7) The long-term ombudsman serving in the county, to be appointed by the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
(8) The director of the local department of Public Health or a member of the director's staff, as designated by the director
(9) A local health care provider, appointed by the local board of health
(10) A representative from the local area agency on aging, appointed by the director of the area agency on aging serving the county
(11) A victim advocate from a local domestic violence or sexual assault agency, appointed by the agency's executive director.
Once established, the MDTshall review selected active cases in which disabled or older adults are being served by adult protective services through HHS-DSS, then submit annually to the Board of County Commissioners recommendations, if any, for addressing systemic problems and service gaps that may exist in the delivery of services by public and nonpublic agencies.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Authorize creation and allow staff to take all necessary actions to establish a Single County Case Review Multidisciplinary Team involving all required members, powers/duties, training, and information sharing required by North Carolina General Statute 108A-118.
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