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Vulnerability Trail Update                                                            July and August, 2012  

Issues Related to Crime Victimization and People with Developmental Disabilities
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Opportunities
Resources
Articles



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The Arc of Aurora (CO) advocates for and with people with intellectual and/or other developmental disabilities and their families through individual and systems change advocacy, training and education, and individual, family and class support.

 

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Mid-Summer Greetings from Colorado -

It sounds as if the majority of our major fires are out and that we may be seeing a more monsoonal weather pattern, for the time being, anyway.  What a relief that rain is!  Whew!  So very scary.  News stations are now reminding folks to be wary of scam contractors and charities posing as what they are not ...  That perceived vulnerability of so many is parallel to the vulnerability people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) face for often their entire lives.

This combined July/August issue of V-Trail Update includes information about many resources and opportunities.  We hope some of them are helpful to you in your communities.  We will be back in touch via the V-Trail Update in September.  In the meantime, don't hesitate to let us know if you think we might be a resource to you in your work with crime victims with I/DD.

Jean Solis

VTrail Update editor

The Arc of Aurora (CO) 

Opportunities

National Sexual Assault Conference

August 21-24, 2012  --  Chicago, IL -- Information now available.

 

Submit your nominations online for the 2013 National Crime Victims' Service Awards!

The nine award categories are

   Allied Professional Award

   Award for Professional Innovation

   in Victim Services

   Crime Victims Financial Restoration Award

   Crime Victims' Rights Award

   Federal Service Award

   National Crime Victim Service Award

   Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award

   Special Courage Award

   Volunteer for Victims Award

Award recipients will be honored at the National Crime Victims' Service Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C., a prelude event to National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 21-27, 2013. Click HERE for more information!

 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) Request for Information on Senior Financial Exploitation (RFI) is now in the Federal Register. 

(note:  Many people with I/DD are not only Seniors but are targeted for financial exploitation...) 

The request seeks information on elder financial abuse and exploitation as well as certifications or designations of financial advisors who serve seniors. The Bureau is seeking as robust a response as possible. If you have regular membership calls or email communications (such as a listserv) and if you think it is appropriate to let your membership know about the RFI, please encourage comment submissions. There is a sixty (calendar) day window for responses. The last day for responses is August 17th. Here is the link to the Request.  This is a unique opportunity for advocates and practitioners to let the CFPB know what they are seeing and experiencing personally and professionally on the issue of elder financial abuse and exploitation. In addition to questions about senior financial advisor certifications and advice, there are questions concerning financial literacy efforts, power of attorney and guardian abuse, affinity frauds and financial exploitation of older veterans. Financial exploitation is a broad topic and we need to hear from as many sectors as possible to better inform the Bureau and its Office for Older Americans as it continues its work.

 

2012 Southwest Conference on Disability

October 9-12th

Albuquerque, NM

Accepting conference workshop proposals now!

More information HERE. 

 

National Center for Victims of Crime 2012 National Conference

September 19-21   New Orleans

Conference agenda, plenary speakers, registration is all available online. 

 

Bridging the Gap: Creating a Community of Support for Survivors with Disabilities 

2012 National Conference on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Against People with Disabilities  --  October 31-November 1st, 2012 -- Louisville, KY

The Bridging the Gap: Creating a Community of Support for Survivors with Disabilities conference will highlight promising practices for serving survivors with disabilities; explore emerging issues at the intersection of violence and disability; and foster networking among those working to end violence against people with disabilities.
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Resources

Hearsay Exception for Developmental Disabilities

While the video may not entirely capture the ... passion ... of the quest, you may view a visual history of Colorado's new Hearsay Exception for Developmental Disabilities. HB 1085 allows Colorado to join California, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota and Vermont in allowing for such Exception, thereby helping to insure better, equal access to justice for crime victims with I/DD.  View the video history of Colorado's HB12-1085.

 

Just released research via the Disability Scoop:

     

2013 NCVRW Community Awareness Project Funding Available

Application deadline: July 18, 2012

The National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators, through a grant from OVC, is seeking proposals for projects to raise public awareness of victims' rights and services in communities during National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW), April 21-27, 2013. For more information and an application, visit the NCVRW Community Awareness Projects website.

What Can You Do About Patient Abuse?

Tips from New AAN Position Statement on Abuse and Violence, Neurology Today.

 

IAFN Launches Online Learning Center

The International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) launched their online catalog featuring pre-recorded content on many different topics and will continue to grow with exciting new educational opportunities.

The June edition of the Office for Victims of Crime's (OVC) News & Program Updates is available and includes an article on improved responses for male crime victims which, while not targeted to victims with intellectual and developmental disabilities, might be more generally helpful.

 

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Releases HELP Series for Crime Victims

OVC announced the release of the HELP Brochure Series. These brochures provide a resource for victims of crime and victim service providers. Each brochure defines a specific type of victimization, discusses what to do if you are a victim of this crime, and provides national resources for more information and assistance.

 

OVC Offers Training by Request

Gather a group of allied professionals serving crime victims in your area, arrange a meeting space, and select a training of your choice from a wide array of topics.  The trainers and materials come directly to you at no cost. Learn more about Training by Request.

National Prevalence of Peer Victimization Among Young Children With Disabilities in the United States

Researchers associated with Brandeis University and Rutgers University published a study online April 19 in Children and Youth Services Review which inspects the frequency and temperaments of peer victimization among young children with disabilities in educational settings according to the results of the Pre-Elementary Education Longitudinal Study. Their findings concluded that ¼ to 1/3 of children with disabilities experience some form of peer-victimization in preschool, coupled with extensive rates of simultaneous types of victimization. (Abstract at no cost, full text available at a fee.) 

Articles

 

Miami New Times (blog)
A mentally disabled woman is now suing the Liberty City living facility where she was sexually assaulted and impregnated...

 

Omaha World-Herald
The nine guilty verdicts pronounced Thursday against a former state worker who abused the mentallydisabled men in his care echoed far beyond the limestone walls of the Gage County Courthouse. The conviction of Matthew Pangborn on seven felony and ...
 
By Web Staff
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. -- An employee at a Connecticut group home for people with disabilities is the target of an abuse investigation.A video sent anonymously to the state, the operator of the group home and TV station WFSB, appears to ...
 
Prosecutors charged teenage girls in the beating of a mentally disabled man, after video of the attack was posted on Facebook and provoked outrage in their ...

Alachua County Woman Arrested for Exploiting 11 Disabled Adults 

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced today that Zonia Cooper, an Alachua County woman, has been arrested following an investigation by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of allegations that the former group home manager exploited eleven disabled adults. Cooper, 44, committed the alleged acts of exploitation during her employment at an Arc of Alachua Group Home.  According to the investigation, Cooper misappropriated more than $1,300 from eleven disabled adults under her supervision. Cooper has been charged with eleven counts of exploitation of a disabled adult and one count of scheme to defraud, all third degree felonies. If convicted of all charges, Cooper faces up to 60 years in prison and a $60,000 fine.

 

Registered Nurse Arrested for Neglecting an Elderly, Disabled Adult 

An investigation led by Attorney General Bondi's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit culminated Thursday with the arrest of a registered nurse for allegations of failing to assess and monitor a patient's condition. Shannon Poppell, a registered nurse, turned herself in to the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office on the charges of one count of neglect of an elderly, disabled adult and one count of falsification of hospital records. Prior to having her employment terminated, Poppell worked for Shands at Live Oak in Suwannee County, also known as Health Management Associates.

 

AZ Couple Charged in Death of Mentally Disabled Man

A Phoenix couple charged in the death of a mentally disabled man is believed to have imprisoned him in a small room and tortured him. Carlena and Joshua Pinkerton face charges of second-degree murder and abuse in the death of a ... --- KPHO Phoenix --- June 5, 2012 (ARIZONA) http://is.gd/gfHqFv

 

Starved Disabled Girl, 16, Weighed Only 23 Pounds when Found

It's now clear that the severely disabled teen could have received crucial help four months earlier if an investigator and her supervisors at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services had done their jobs properly, the Chicago Tribune has ... --- .. StandardNet --- June 8, 2012 (ILLINOIS) http://is.gd/fUp8OU

 

Court Papers Allege Supervisors Aware of Abuse at Sedgwick County Jail

Deputies would refer to mentally ill or retarded persons as mentals, crazies, retards and idiots." Sheriff Robert Hinshaw said he and other sheriff's personnel can't comment on the accusations because of ongoing litigation. --- Kansas.com --- June 10, 2012 (KANSAS) http://is.gd/hZpZXd

 

5 arrested in abuse of disabled adults in San Jose

San Francisco Chronicle - July 5 

San Jose police found rotting food, no running water and dozens of dogs when they arrived at a home on Cortona Drive on Monday. The five defendants allegedly collected the Social Security checks of the disabled adults, many of whom suffered from ... 

 

Two DHS Workers Fired after Mentally Disabled Woman Forced to Eat ...

Two DHS workers have been fired after officials concluded a mentally disabled woman under their care was forced to eat jalapeno peppers mixed into her food. --- NewsOK.com --- June 24, 2012 (OKLAHOMA) http://is.gd/13bcjP

 

Athens Man Accused of Raping Disabled Stepdaughter

An Athens man is facing 20 counts of rape, incest and sexual abuse for allegedly having sexual contact with his mentally disabled stepdaughter... --- News Courier --- June 24, 2012 (ALABAMA) http://is.gd/674xo2

 

Police: Elderly Man Molested Mentally Challenged Child

The Killeen Daily Herald, your source for news, sports, business & classifieds. Serving the Killeen, Copperas Cove, ... --- Killeen Daily Herald --- June 21, 2012 (TEXAS) http://is.gd/wE7HcM

 

'I'm Retarded' Photo Stirs Controversy for Texas School Officials

A picture is worth a thousand words, but it's the word featured prominently in a photograph that has parents in Magnolia upset. ---- KVUE --- June 21, 2012 (TEXAS) http://is.gd/Z4Z5Dm

 

Man pleads not guilty to sexual assault of disabled girl in 2004 

TheNewsTribune.com

A man charged with luring a developmentally disabled girl away from a Tacoma Safeway store eight years ago and sexually assaulting her pleaded not guilty this week to two felonies.

 

Nurse charged with abuse of disabled adult

JCFLORIDAN

A licensed practical nurse at Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee was arrested and charged with one count of abuse of a disabled adult at the mental health facility, stated a press release from the Florida Office of the Attorney General.

 

Students with Behavior Problems, Obvious Disabilities Are Bullied ... 

Newswise (press release)

Students receiving special-education services for behavioral disorders and those with more obvious disabilities are more likely to be bullied than their ...

 

Disabled Group Home Worker Blamed for Pregnancy  

Courthouse News Service

MIAMI (CN) - The guardian of a mentally disabled woman claims in court that an employee of the incompetent woman's group home impregnated her. K.W., by ...

 

1,200 Elderly or Disabled Adults Reported Abused In Escambia ...

Over 1,200 elderly or disabled adults were reported to be abused last fiscal year in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. According to the Florida Department of ... --- NorthEscambia.com --- June 16, 2012 (FLORIDA) http://is.gd/9YPXes

 

Odenton Man Guilty of Exploiting Mentally Disabled Postal Worker for ...

An Odenton man who tricked a mentally disabled Glen Burnie postal worker into giving him more than $250,000 over the course of three years pleaded guilty ... --- Baltimore Sun --- May 23, 2012 (MARYLAND) http://is.gd/IoSBTC

 

Upstate Teacher Accused of Altercation with Autistic Student

Authorities have accused an upstate New York teacher of having a physical altercation with a student with autism on a school bus in May. --- myfoxny.com --- June 14, 2012 (NEW YORK)  http://is.gd/NF1Dhz

 

Thieves Target those with Developmental Disabilities

With the slow economy, there is a disturbing trend against those with developmental disabilities. According to the state of Ohio, thefts, fraud and scams against ... --- FOX19 --- June 14, 2012 (OHIO) http://is.gd/9DIr7v

 

Updated: Man Accused of Group Home Beating Pleads Guilty

A caretaker at an Allen group home who police say was caught on camera beating a young autistic man has pleaded guilty to one felony count of injury to a ... --- Allen American --- June 6, 2012 (TEXAS) http://is.gd/Qj6n43

 

Mechanic Sentenced to 30 Months for Sexually Abusing Mentally ...

A former mechanic at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months in prison for directing a mentally disabled man to ... --- Richmond Times Dispatch --- June 14, 2012 (VIRGINIA) http://is.gd/89Vp6E

 

Parents of Disabled Say Tara's Law Will Not Protect Children

O'Leary was a young woman who was abused and neglected, losing more than 70 ... Thousands of cases of abuse, neglect and exploitation of developmentally ... --- newjerseynewsroom.com --- June 13, 2012 (NEW JERSEY)  http://is.gd/Qq1Uj5

 

Fmr. head of charity for disabled pleads guilty to swiping $600K

New York Post

The former chief of a Brooklyn-based charity for mentally disabled adults pleaded guilty yesterday to swiping $600000 from the non-profit organization.

 

As Cuomo pushes final passage of protections for disabled in NY ...  

The Republic

ALBANY, N.Y. - With the Cuomo administration pushing for final passage next week of sweeping legislation to protect New York's disabled, some advocates who ..

 

The Arc of Aurora

1342 South Chambers Road

Aurora, CO 80017

720.213.1420