CONTRA COSTA COUNTY WORKS WITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO COMBAT FINANCIAL ABUSE OF ELDERS

A morning meeting with financial institutions to explore ways in which these agencies can work together to prevent and detect financial abuse of elders and dependent adults.

CCPPFA
California Community Partnership For Prevention of Financial Abuse

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY WORKS WITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO COMBAT FINANCIAL ABUSE OF ELDERS

(PRWEB) July, 2003 -- The Office of the District Attorney County of Contra Costa will host an informal meeting with banks and credit unions July 30 (9:00-10:30 PM) at the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chambers (Martinez) to explore ways in which these agencies can work together to prevent and detect financial abuse of elders and dependent adults.

The meeting, in keeping with the countys Zero Tolerance policy against elder and dependent adult abuse, will offer presentations by Jenefer Duane, CEO of California Community Partnership for Prevention of Financial Abuse (CCPPFA), Robert J. Kochly, District Attorney and Deputy District Attorney Dana Filkowski.

Financial exploitation of persons age 65 and above and adults with significant physical and/or mental disabilities is a significant problem, both nationally and locally, according to Kochly.

Banks and Credit Unions are critically important in the fight against financial abuse,” he said. Staff members are uniquely positioned to detect and respond to financial exploitation, and with an immediate response can prevent devastating loss of a vulnerable individuals irreplaceable financial resources.

Special guest speakers will include Linda Ortega of the FDIC and Gary Dunn, vice president and CRA officer of Fremont Investment and Loan, which has a local office in the Contra Costa city of Walnut Creek.

According to Dunn, Fremont has had 3 reportable instances of suspected financial abuse since presenting training last month to branch employees. As a large bank regulated by the FDIC, we strongly urge each and every financial institution to become involved.”

Financial abuse of elders is a devastating, life-threatening crime that should be reported," said Duane of CCPPFA, a non-profit organization that facilitates collaborative partnerships among financial institutions, adult social services, and law enforcement through awareness and education about prevention, detection and reporting of suspected abuse.

CCPPFA has been endorsed by Attorney General Bill Lockyer, the State Sheriff's Association and other County Boards of Supervisors; CCPPFA has also received support from Federal and State Banking Regulators, which encourage financial institutions to participate.

CCPPFA currently provides services to many counties, including El Dorado, Napa, Sacramento, Sonoma, San Diego, Marin, San Francisco, Solano, Siskiyou, and Contra Costa.

For more information call (925) 646-4620 or visit www.bewiseonline.org.
Media contact only: Karen Pierce Gonzalez 707-792-4376.