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ConnectionsConnectionsJune 2019 Volume 19, Issue 5

Bringing Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services teammates closer together

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15th

Bridge to Independence Helping Foster Kids Kathy Anstine is the Bridge to Independence supervisor at the DHHS office in Omaha. She’s been in the role for about two and a half years.

The program started five years ago to create a bridge from the end of foster care at 19 to full adult independence at age 21. It’s actually an extension of the foster

care program intended for those who haven’t reached permanency – whether that be adoption, reunification or guardianship, and have had their cases adjudicated as 3A, which denotes abuse and/or neglect. “They’ve probably have gone through some trauma, most likely,” Anstine said. If they meet the requirements for the voluntary program – which have been simplified somewhat here – they begin receiving a stipend of $760 a month and are assigned an independence coordinator (IC). There are 10 of these special individuals across the state. Anstine supervises five – one person in the Northern Service Area (NSA) and then four for the Eastern Service Area (ESA). Five others cover the Western, Southeast and

Central parts of the state and are supervised by Terrence Williams in the Lincoln office. Caseloads are currently about 32 per IC worker in the ESA, which is more than Anstine likes to see. The ICs meet with the young adult at least once a month, normally at the young adult’s home. When the relationship is getting underway, the meetings are usually more often, Anstine added. “An independence coordinator is like an independent living worker,” she said. “They talk to them about what their goals are and they set up a plan. You have to be working, in school, or working on removing whatever barrier it is that’s preventing you from working or getting into school.”

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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) happens each year on June 15th. It was first established in June 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) and the World Health Organization. WEAAD was officially recognized by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 2011. Nebraska has been commemorating WEAAD since 2011 as well. WEAAD observances across Nebraska are the result of coordination and collaboration

between the DHHS Division of Medicaid and Long Term Care State Unit on Aging and the Division of Children and Family Services Adult Protective Services programs. The divisions collaborate to produce a toolkit which is available on the State’s public website. The toolkit provides social media tips and resources to help people understand vulnerable and elder adult abuse issues and creative ideas to plan and implement effective awareness campaigns in agencies and offices providing

services and support to elders in Nebraska. The toolkit contains a wealth of important information for area agencies on aging, local DHHS offices holding observances and the general public.

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Bridge to Independence (continued from page 1)

Kathy Anstine, Bridge to Independence supervisor in Omaha, (third from right) stands with the Independence Coordinators she supervises, who handle Eastern and Northern Nebraska.

These barriers are often not having a driver’s license, a vehicle or an apartment. Sometimes, she added, poor mental health can stand in the way. That’s a simple list, but one thing can lead to another for an IC. Sometimes getting into school means the IC finds him or herself helping to fill out college admittance or scholarship forms, meeting with financial aid workers for new students and making enrollment and payment arrangements for past students. “Our independence coordinators look at themselves as – I don’t know if the administration will want to hear this or not – sort of in a parent role,” she said. “These young people don’t have that supportive parent, so they have to be walked through

some of these things. Someone has always done everything for them, coming from foster care, and then all of a sudden they are looked at as adults who should be able to do things for themselves. Even setting up their first doctor’s appointment can be something they need to be walked through.” Some of the IC workers have come from initial assessment and some from ongoing case management. “Mostly it’s been those who had a strong desire to work with young adults,” she said. What’s more, the program has been successful. “I’m so proud of the feedback that comes from the young adults who reach out to their coordinators after they have completed the program to

thank them for being there for them as a support,” Anstine said. “A young lady who’s out of the program now called one of the ICs to invite her to attend her graduation from the University of Nebraska at Omaha,” Anstine continued. “She’s graduating with a 3.4, and planning to get her Master’s in counseling. About five students from the NSA and ESA are graduating from two-year programs right now, too, and I’m sure there are many more if you look across the rest of the state. “Some of them drop out of school and go to work, and that’s OK too,” she finished. “We see that as very much of a success, as school is not for everyone. I have this whole folder full of positive stories.”

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Elder Abuse Awareness (continued from page 1)

Why do we observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day?

Virtually all countries are expected to see substantial growth in the number of older persons between 2015 and 2030. Our older population continues to grow. Between 2005 and 2015 the population aged 60 and over increased 34% from 49.8 million to 66.8 million. By 2030, almost 20% of our population – approximately 71 million people – will be 65 or older, nearly twice as many as in 2007. The 85+ population is projected to triple from 6.3 million in 2015 to 14.6 million in 2040.

Why Should I Care About Elder Abuse?

Seniors are living longer, but not necessarily better. Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and declining cognitive and physical functioning make elders more vulnerable to victimization. One in 10 Americans age 60+ is a victim of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation which translates to about 5 million victims of elder abuse annually. Unfortunately, Elder Abuse is vastly under-reported. As few as 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse come to the attention of authorities, making elder abuse significantly under-identified and under-reported.

What Can I Do to Prevent Elder Abuse?

It’s important that we are all aware and on the lookout for abuse or neglect affecting the elderly. If you or someone you know suspects elder abuse and/or neglect, call 1-800-652-1999.

How do I know if an elder is being abused, neglected

or exploited?

Signs of neglect by caregivers or self-neglect:

• Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration

• Untreated physical problems, such as bed sores

• Unsanitary living conditions: dirt, bugs, soiled bedding and clothes

• Being left dirty or unbathed• Unsuitable clothing or covering

for the weather• Unsafe living conditions (no heat

or running water, faulty electrical wiring, other fire hazards)

• Desertion of the elder at a public place

Signs of Financial Exploitation:

• Sudden changes in a bank account or banking practice, such as unexplained withdrawals of large amounts of money

• Additional names on an older person’s bank card

• Abrupt changes in a will or other financial document

• Disappearance of funds or valuable possessions

• Unpaid bills or substandard care despite the availability of funds

• Evidence of the older person’s signature being forged

• Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives

• Payment for unnecessary services

• Reports from the older person of financial exploitation

In the U.S., it is estimated that elder financial abuse and fraud costs older Americans as much as $36.5 billion per year. Without gainful employment or years to re-grow their investment income, the victims of financial exploitation are deprived of their savings and are left without the funds necessary to pay for housing, food and medical care.

Prevent elder abuse and neglect by:

• Listening with empathy and without judgment to seniors and their caregivers

• Intervene when you suspect elder abuse. Call APS hotline at 1-800-652-1999

• Watch for warning signs that might indicate elder abuse

• Look at the elder’s medications; does the amount in the vial jive with the date of the prescription?

• Watch for possible financial abuse; ask the elder if you may look over bank accounts and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions

• Call and visit as often as you can. Help the elder consider you a trusted confidante

• Offer to stay with the elder so the caregiver can have a break – on a regular basis, if possible

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Finding Your Way Around Easier in Omaha with Road Signs

If you work on the third floor of the downtown State Office Building in Omaha your cubicle might have its own address. Like “the corner of ‘Fifth Avenue’ and ‘Street of Dreams.’” About 20 handmade signs hang above the aisles separating the cubicles, marking various routes through the maze we in state government are familiar with. Some are landmarks for particular areas. The sign “Paper Trail,” for example, hangs above the paper shredding and recycling bins. According to Children and Family Services Administrator Shayne Schiermeister, who is celebrating his 27th year with the state, the signs first appeared in the early 1990s. They were made by Tom Mahoney, who worked in the volunteer unit – which, like Alternative Response, helped families experiencing abuse and neglect without involving the court system.

“It’s so big up here and you couldn’t find anybody, so people just got creative. They are certainly helpful, and people like them,” Schiermeister said, adding that he recalls that the approval process for getting the signs installed was fairly smooth. Unfortunately, some of the story of the signs is undoubtedly lost to history. Mahoney passed away in 2006, according to the Omaha World-Herald. His wife Doris, who also worked at DHHS, followed him in 2009. Schiermeister said in the intervening years additional signs have been added, and perhaps

a few taken down. One, at least, has found its way into an office. “Runaway Row,” which marked the area staffed by those of the Status Offense unit, washed up on the wall of the last surviving member of the unit, Kathy Anstine. “They have them at the Lincoln South office, too,” Schiermeister remembered. “They followed us for sure.” Schiermeister started with the state in the early 1990s. He served in Omaha’s State Office Building until 2001 when his job site moved to Project Harmony. He returned to the second floor of 1313 Farnam Street in 2014.

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Quality Assurance is Always Looking to Make Things Better Child Protective Service (CPS) Quality Assurance (QA) Coordinator Terri Farrell has seen a lot of changes in DHHS in her years of work in the agency. In May it was 33 years. One of the good things was the creation of the CPS quality assurance system in 2007. The team started with four or five members, and today – fully-staffed – it numbers 22 throughout the state. Although Farrell offices in Lexington in a building shared by Legal Aid of Nebraska and Lutheran Family Services and others, most of these staff are located in Lincoln and Omaha, with three in Kearney’s north building to serve the western and central service area. The work requires home interviews, and having people in the center of the state cuts travel expenses. “We do a lot of Skyping, which is wonderful. I wish we had that technology a long time ago,” she said, adding that the team is very well-rounded, including people who have been CFS and Initial Assessment workers and resource development.

Farrell performs a secondary review of a selected number of cases originally reviewed by more frontline staff. “We look for the good things staff do and the areas that need improvement,” she said. “We review all kinds of issues, and strategize to make the outcomes better. I tell them, ‘we’re not here to get you, we’re always here to help,’” she said. Last week that job took her to North Platte to assist staff there mapping the flow of work within cases. She said they use this “case-mapping” all the time in the western service area. “We use the system all the time. I’m kind of the outsider looking in,” she said. “It’s a process where we map it all out on the board and talk about history and look at the direction to go.” Farrell said the biggest thing she discusses is the importance of meeting CFSR outcomes like having concurrent plans working side-by-side. “So we’re sure we meet our goals.” And also reunification occurring in 12 months, if possible, etc.

Terri Farrell has watched the Quality Assurance team of Child Protective Services grow from four members to 22.

Methamphetamine abuse is also a topic that comes up fairly often. She said that all but one of the cases recently reviewed there had some connection to it. The CPS Quality Assurance team came about through federal mandate, and the team is continually improving its service to Nebraska.

Teammate Crafts Furniture from Barnwood “I work in the developmental disability division as a service coordinator in Grand Island. I serve people who live with developmental disabilities. I’ve been in the field since 2008 and with DHHS since October. “I’ve been working with barnwood for probably about five years now, ever since the grandpa of a former roommate of mine got me working with him at Primitive Touch Antique Warehouse, which is now 40 North Bar and Grill. But it goes further back than that. My grandpa Krieg was a master carpenter who’s done some amazing things. He built the

monkey exhibit at the Kansas City Zoo. When I heard it was going to be torn down, I called the zoo asking if I could salvage that wood, which I call my monkey wood, and only goes on pieces for my home and family.”

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Barnwood Furniture (continued from page 5)

“When I cut into a board from, say, a barn built in Wood River, Nebraska, in the year 1864 and see 104 years in that 6-inch sliver of a tree that saw the year 1700 and prior, it is very special to me. This tree got to see the very first fur traders in Nebraska; the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Potawatomie Indian tribes; their buffalo hunts, and was around the Platte River before the Platte had a name. “I’m not holding a scrap of lumber from a lumber yard. I’m holding a piece of Nebraska before it was Nebraska, a piece of America before 1776. To me that board has a spiritual mysticism that is warm, that makes you appreciate everything that is at your fingertips.”

- Matthew Krieg

Pictured is a coffee bar Krieg built for his home.

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In GratitudeThe Nebraska Department

of Health and Human Services’ mission:

Helping people live better lives.

Here are some letters & notes DHHS employees have received thanking us for the work we do every day to

Help people live better lives

Received by DHHS Webmaster Greg Votava concerning the rollout of the new Website

I have spent some time this morning reviewing the updated website. Thank you, thank you, thank you! This website provides meaningful, useful information that I can use in my work as Population Health Manager for Bryan Health Connect.

Thanks,Wanda

—Wanda Kelley, MSN, RN-BC, PCMH-CCEClinical Integration & Population Health Manager

Bryan Health Connect

Received by Emily Bunch, DHHS graphic designer, during the final phases of a logo she designed for the Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities. The writer is Kristen Larsen, executive director of the Nebraska Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Emily,

Council staff are thrilled to share the new logo with our Council members at our meeting tomorrow. The new logo will be added to our official “name change” news release as well as in the N&R Publication newspaper insert. Again, I appreciate your prompt assistance on this project and amazing customer service. By all means, please feel free to add these to your personal portfolio.

I will be in touch if we have any specific questions on the logo or need your assistance with future specifications.

Nebraska Council onDevelopmental Disabilities

Gratitude Foster WEAAD Signs Core CPS QA Barnwood

Make the Connection...

DHHS Public Website: www.dhhs.ne.gov DHHS Employee Website: http://dhhsemployees/ DHHS Helpline: 1-800-254-4202, (402) 471-6035 in Lincoln, or via e-mail at dhhs.helpline@nebraska.gov Connections is published for employees of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services by Communications and Legislative Services (CLS). Readers are invited to submit news, photos and story ideas to the editor via: Telephone: (402) 471-6585 Fax: (402) 471-3996 E-mail: dhhs.pio@nebraska.gov Interagency mail: Nebraska State Office Building, 3rd Floor U.S. mail: P.O. Box 95026, 301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, NE 68509-5026Communications Director: Editor: Graphics and Layout: Matt Litt Dave Hudson Judy Barker and Emily Bunch

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The Enjoyment of Summer … Away from AND at Work!

What if we looked forward to our time at work as much as we look forward to our time away from work? We spend a significant amount of our time at work, with our “work family” and our time together should be as good as it can be…and we can make it good because we each play a part in creating the environment or culture of our workplaces. Showing up each day and interacting in a friendly, positive manner comes natural to many, and for some it’s about making positive choices. But for all of us, engaging with each other in ways that support and reinforce our DHHS Values and Core Competencies, paying special attention to “Demonstrates Effective Interpersonal Relationships” and

VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

“Demonstrates Support of their Team” will help create a work environment, relationships, and a sense of satisfaction that can make our time at work as enjoyable as our time away.

“I believe that working with good people matters because then the work environment is good. If there is a sense of respect and belief among the people you work with, that is when good work is done.”

— Ranbir Kapoor

By Kevin Hensel, Staff and Partnership Development Coordinator

The unofficial start of summer is here! Warm weather is becoming more frequent, the world around us is bursting with color, and many of us are planning vacations or staycations…ready to enjoy some well-earned time off. It seems like we look forward to our time away from work even more in the summer, since the opportunities for things we enjoy are greater…more time outside, picnics and barbeques, fun activities not possible in the cold that include family and friends.