COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch-St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging (Region IIIC), in collaboration with the Branch County Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition, will sign the revised and enhanced “Branch County Vulnerable Adult Protocol” on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. at the Branch County Sheriff’s Office during a special event.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, the new protocol uses an inter-disciplinary team approach to address the growing number of cases of vulnerable adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation in the community.
The Coalition, now referred to as the Branch County IDT, includes representation from various law enforcement agencies.
There is also representation from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services – Adult Protective Services, Legal Services of South-Central Michigan, Branch County Prosecutor’s Office, Area Agency on Aging Region IIIC and Pines Behavioral Health.
Branch County Sheriff John Pollack and Branch County Prosecutor Zach Stempien have both expressed their full support.
Pollack says, “We are pleased to have been involved in the Protocol’s revision and inclusion of the inter-disciplinary approach. Many times, crimes against older or vulnerable adults are “silent”, not reported or talked about, and the IDT group wants that to change.”
The IDT approach applies the specialized expertise of many different professionals from varying agencies and departments.
For more information about the Victim Assistance Program or about community supports and services, call (517) 278-2538 or visit www.bhsj.org/aaa.
Comments