Building Consultation Teams Lisa Manuel, PhD Family Service Toronto National Elder Abuse Conference November 4, 2009

Goals of Presentation 1.Review development of consultation team 2.Ensuring success 3.Overview of FST team process 4.Addressing confidentiality and privacy issues 5.Key challenges 6.Key outcomes and celebrations 7.Talk, discuss, network

History 1997 – First meeting in Toronto to explore concept 1998 – 1999 – Grant applications 2000 – Development work funded internally 2001 – Orientation meeting 2002 – First consultation meeting 2009 – Seventh consecutive year

Development Process Research in other jurisdictions Survey of organizations Development of policy manual Focus groups Invitations to join team

Ensuring Success One identified lead organization and person Highly supportive organization Committed team members/ambassadors Goals and principles agreed to and followed Defined intake process Clear ground rules about who participates Confidentiality and privacy issues respected

Ensuring Success cont’d Ongoing updates to community Quick turn around with respect to requests for consultation Respected leaders as members Voices of survivors and senior volunteers Widespread and ongoing publicity Support for follow-up

Mission of EACT To consult on cases involving the abuse of older adults in order to suggest options to improve their life situations.

Goals of EACT Provide a forum for people working with older adults experiencing abuse to consult on situtions they are working with Provide support between meetings Develop statistical profiles Report on activities to stakeholders Track results of suggested options to develop evidence-based outcomes

Key Principles Confidentiality Anonymity Self-determination Maximization of options Least intrusive alternative Involvement of abused older adult in carrying out suggested Cultural sensitivity

Membership Alzheimer Society Assistant Crown Attorney CCAC (Home Care) Community based social work/community support agency Hospital based social worker with geriatric expertise Housing Mental health and addictions Psycho-geriatrician Senior Volunteers Student Interns Survivors Victim Services Violence Against Women sector

Commitment Letter of understanding Available three hours per months plus travel Monthly schedule Signatures Consultation in between meetings Confidentiality

Types of Cases Reviewed Complex Multiple types of abuse occurring Ethical dilemma Specialized expertise required Refusal of service → Cases at any point of engagement

Who utilizes the team? Two possible ways to focus team –Team members only –Open to team and community

Intake Form One page overview Strategies attempted to date and outcome Kind of advice requested from team Demographic information

Structure of Case Presentations Introductions Ground rules Brief overview Clarifying questions Suggested options Follow up

Role of Team Leader Coordination of meetings Recruitment of team members Securing cases for review Screening for conflict of interest Minute taking Community resource Evaluation Developing educational sessions

Role of Team Members Confidentiality Best interest of client Interim consultations Commitment to team Ambassadors in community Provide advice

Working with Privacy Issues No names Identifying information changed Reviewing ground rules Confidentiality vs. privacy Knowing the legislation

Key Outcomes Consultations Newsletters Educational sessions Best practice manual Conference presentations Partnerships Research Student training Senior Moments Project Highly valued by members and presenters

Challenges Case finding Advocacy problematic for some members Lack of funding Multiple networks Varying understandings of privacy issues

Celebrations 100+ consultations to date Three newsletters Best Practice Manual Grant to work across sectors Pat’s Place developed Multiple conference presentations

Celebrations cont’d Resource to other communities Student training (international and local) Robust data set Information sheet for Provincial government on safety planning “Go to” forum Team cohesion and commitment in an exeptionally busy world

Contact Information - NEW Lisa Manuel Director, Changing Lives and Family Violence Program Family Service Toronto