Q&A: Central New York Restorative Practices Collaborative

Press/Media: Expert Comment

Description

Question: How did the idea of the collaborative come about? What was the driving force or gap?

Answer: This collaboration began in 2016 at the initiative of Vera House, our local human service agency that addresses intimate partner violence and elder mistreatment. They were looking for alternatives to the adult protective services model for handling cases of elder abuse and exploitation. Specifically, they recognized that many older adults deny exploitation for fear of what would happen to the person who was exploiting them, as they are the only person available to help the older adult maintain their independence at home.

Question: What were some obstacles in getting it off the ground?

Answer: It took a few years to secure funding for our project. The Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Victims of Crimes funded our project and offers restorative practices as part of a broader package of services for older adults in low-income housing who may or may not be experiencing some form of abuse or exploitation.

Question: I know you are very early into the project and COVID has caused some delays, but are you seeing any initial benefits of this project yet or is it too early to tell?

Answer: We have had success learning about the communal culture in each of the three residential buildings we serve, and in making modifications to our programmatic offerings to better suit those cultures.

Question: Do you have advice for other states wrestling with similar issues?

Answer: We are learning that our focus needs to be on the outcomes we want for our clients, such as dignity, respect, safety, and empowerment, which all require a strengths-based approach. Get to know how elder abuse and attitudes about elder abuse have manifested in the communities you wish to serve. Particularly if you wish to serve a minority community, spend time getting to know their culture and how you can better communicate with them about issues of elder abuse and exploitation. 

PeriodMar 7 2022

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleQ&A: Central New York Restorative Practices Collaborative
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletAPS TARC SPARC
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    Date3/7/22
    DescriptionQuestion: How did the idea of the collaborative come about? What was the driving force or gap?

    Answer: This collaboration began in 2016 at the initiative of Vera House, our local human service agency that addresses intimate partner violence and elder mistreatment. They were looking for alternatives to the adult protective services model for handling cases of elder abuse and exploitation. Specifically, they recognized that many older adults deny exploitation for fear of what would happen to the person who was exploiting them, as they are the only person available to help the older adult maintain their independence at home.

    Question: What were some obstacles in getting it off the ground?

    Answer: It took a few years to secure funding for our project. The Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Victims of Crimes funded our project and offers restorative practices as part of a broader package of services for older adults in low-income housing who may or may not be experiencing some form of abuse or exploitation.

    Question: I know you are very early into the project and COVID has caused some delays, but are you seeing any initial benefits of this project yet or is it too early to tell?

    Answer: We have had success learning about the communal culture in each of the three residential buildings we serve, and in making modifications to our programmatic offerings to better suit those cultures.

    Question: Do you have advice for other states wrestling with similar issues?

    Answer: We are learning that our focus needs to be on the outcomes we want for our clients, such as dignity, respect, safety, and empowerment, which all require a strengths-based approach. Get to know how elder abuse and attitudes about elder abuse have manifested in the communities you wish to serve. Particularly if you wish to serve a minority community, spend time getting to know their culture and how you can better communicate with them about issues of elder abuse and exploitation.
    Producer/AuthorAPS TARC/Jennifer Kirchen
    URLhttps://mailchi.mp/60c6b5e2c6e6/tarcsparcfeb2022-15914471
    PersonsMaria T Brown

Keywords

  • elder abuse
  • restorative practices
  • Central New York