The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WVCADV) convened the Disability/Later Life Task Force in 2004 by combining efforts made through the WVCADV Disability and Later Life Advisory Councils (formed in 1999), and the WVCADV Access Workgroup (formed in 2001). This Task Force consists of statewide multidisciplinary representatives who are vulnerable adults or work with vulnerable adults. The Task Force works to research and assess policy, practice and training issues, host learning forums that address the basic dynamics of responding to vulnerable adults using the multidisciplinary team approach and recommend policy, practice, team development, public awareness and training guidelines for improving the WV response to the victimization of vulnerable adults.
Disability/Later Life Task Force 2004 goals include:
Research – Explore what is working and not working in WV through Task Force discussions of scenarios and surveys to community members.
Analyze – Assess policy, practice and training issues from Task Force discussions, surveys and trainings.
Train – Host learning forums that address the basic dynamics of responding to vulnerable adults using the multidisciplinary team approach.
Recommend –Publish policy, practice, team development, public awareness and training guidelines for improving the WV response to the victimization of vulnerable adults.
The Task Force was instrumental in the development of the following publications:
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“Abuse is Not the Price You Have to Pay for Care” brochure and poster
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“Abuse Does Not Have To Be A Part of Later Life” brochure and poster
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“Stress is Not an Excuse For Abuse” – video/DVD on caregiver stress and abuse of vulnerable adults (free copies available upon request)
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“Granma’s Scrapbook©” A play on caregiver stress and abuse written by playwright Dan Kehde (copies available with permission of author)
