VAAN (Vulnerable Adults Assistance Network): An interagency response to vulnerable situations

PERF Award Application List of Attachments VAAN What is VAAN? Referral Forms Letters of Endorsements Elderlink Form (Pamphlet) Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Abstract For approximately twelve years, there was an ongoing problem in Baltimore County, Maryland. The problem stemmed from a mother and daughter living in a home that was a health and fire hazard. It had no electricity, running water, or heat and was filled six feet high with trash. The mother was extremely protective of her mentally ill, treatment resistant daughter and refused to cooperate with remedying the situation. Several emergency petitions were filed, but to no avail. The situation escalated to the point that a committee was formed to problem solve and implement a plan. An effective plan was developed and as an outcome, the Vulnerable Adults Assistance Network (VAAN) was formed.For approximately twelve years, there was an ongoing problem in Baltimore County, Maryland. The problem stemmed from a mother and daughter living in a home that was a health and fire hazard. It had no electricity, running water, or heat and was filled six feet high with trash. The mother was extremely protective of her mentally ill, treatment resistant daughter and refused to cooperate with remedying the situation. Several emergency petitions were filed, but to no avail. The situation escalated to the point that a committee was formed to problem solve and implement a plan. An effective plan was developed and as an outcome, the Vulnerable Adults Assistance Network (VAAN) was formed. The purpose of the VAAN committee is to identify and remedy gaps in service delivery and enhance quality of life to at risk vulnerable adult county residents through the facilitation of interagency education, consultation, and cooperation among appropriate local government agencies. VAAN is a group comprised of representatives from the various county agencies that most commonly encounter vulnerable adult residents. In the past, each agency has attempted to resolve the plight of the vulnerable adult through the accepted means and methods of each individual agency. This approach frequently proved to be inadequate and did not allow for effective interagency coordination. Some of the positive outcomes that have come from this interagency collaboration have been through the case presentation model. Cases are presented to the committee, recommendations are made to problem solve at-risk situations, and then the group looks at the system in place and evaluates it for any necessary changes. Jointly, the group developed a referral process with a focus on accessibility. Since the development of VAAN, agency relationships have improved. Each agency has had the opportunity to define their role and what are realistic expectations that other agencies can expect from them. The Police Department has greatly contributed to the VAAN committee meetings. Their legal expertise has facilitated problem solving approaches that have been very effective. A resource guide is being developed to educate officers about what resources are available so that the at-risk individual's needs are identified quickly and appropriate resources can be accessed. It should be noted that VAAN has been very effective without necessitating any additional funding. VAAN (Vulnerable Adults Assistance Network): An interagency response to vulnerable situations. A. Scanning [1] What was the nature of the problem? The main issues were the well being (health and safety) of Ms. C. B. and her daughter, A.B. who collected trash and other small items from neighbor's yards and placed them on their property as well as inside their home. The B.'s did not maintain the care of their house and allowed their landscape to grow out of control with lots of trash bags just lying around. Trash had been collected throughout the inside of the house to a height of about 6 feet. This created an environmental health hazard as well as a fire hazard. [2] How was the problem identified? Much of the trash and other debris collected by A. B. became an eyesore. A.B. had collected so much trash that some was hanging out of the windows and doors of the house. Weeds and grass had grown to be over 12 inches. Due to the height of the grass and the collection of trash bags in the yard, the county had to obtain the services of a landscaper to cut the grass and remove the trash. I might add that the clean up efforts also involved the presence of the police for security. [3] Who identified the problem? This was a growing concern for many of the area residents. Several of them had reported to the police that various articles were being taken from their own yards by A.B. They were hesitant to confront her due to her volatile mannerisms. In addition to patrolling observations of the area, there have been numerous occasions that police were called to the scene to deal with A.B. Many neighbors were disturbed by the lack of progress and response to the situation and contacted the press, which alerted officials and politicians. [4] How and Why was this problem selected from among problems? This problem escalated as a result of repeated calls to police for service. There was little assistance from A.B.'s mother, C.B. to be more pro-active and work on these issues with her daughter. There were also concerns about the mother for her safety and her general health and well being. [5] What was the initial level of diagnosis / unit of analysis? Our initial response was to have A.B. psychiatrically evaluated and, if necessary, committed to an institution that would help her with her issues of collecting trash. This included addressing concerns about Ms. C.B., her overall health, fears, and mental stability. We were also concerned about the house they were living in (fire hazards, environmental hazards, etc.) B. Analysis [1] What methods, data, and information sources were used to analyze the problem? Several meetings were held with concerned citizens who were residing near the B.s' home. Many of the citizens were upset over the deplorable conditions existing at the B.s' residence. Several officers had contact with A.B. as a result of being dispatched to her residence. A.B. was observed as being squalid by everyone who had made contact with her. A.B. was considered very combative and intimidating to others. [2] How often and for how long was it a problem? The problem at the home of Ms. C. B. and her daughter, A.B. has been a slowly degenerating occurrence for approximately 12 years. As each year passed, A.B. became more compulsive to collect trash and store it in her mother's home and on the outside property. She claimed to be a collector and was very hostile when it came to protecting her "collectibles". The number of police calls from the community increased as the nature of the problem grew more