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Encinitas senior commission hears call to action on elder‑abuse victim services
Summary
Nelly Carreno of the Community Resource Center presented the commission with details of an elder‑abuse victim‑advocate program—available to people 60+ and dependent adults—offering crisis intervention, case management, emergency assistance funds and criminal‑justice advocacy; she urged commissioners to refer concerns and share contact info.
Nelly Carreno, the elder‑abuse victim advocate at the Community Resource Center, presented the Encinitas Senior Citizens Commission on Feb. 17, outlining services for older adults and dependent adults who are victims of crime.
"This is not just a presentation. It is a call to action," Carreno told commissioners, describing a program that offers crisis intervention and safety planning immediately when someone reaches out, ongoing case management and counseling, an emergency assistance fund for urgent needs, and criminal‑justice advocacy including help with police reports and court accompaniment.
Carreno said the program serves individuals 60 and older and adult dependents who have experienced crimes such as financial exploitation, scams, physical or emotional abuse, neglect or fraud. She described a structured referral process: clients may be referred through Adult Protective Services, 2‑1‑1, community partners or directly to the program, meet with a care coordinator for a risk‑needs assessment, and, if eligible, receive a "warm handoff" to the victim‑advocate for follow‑up.
Commissioners raised questions about privacy and how to refer potential victims without violating confidentiality. Commissioner Koblenz asked how commissioners should proceed when they suspect abuse but are concerned about privacy; Carreno recommended sharing her contact information and encouraging the person to reach out, emphasizing that the program does not pressure survivors to pursue restraining orders or police reports.
Carreno said the program also connects survivors to medical care, housing referrals, food assistance, transportation and legal resources and helps survivors navigate civil, immigration and restitution processes. She said services are individualized "because every survivor's situation is very unique." She closed by saying she would leave flyers and contact information for referrals.
The commission did not take formal action on the presentation; Carreno's materials and contact information remain the primary follow‑up for commissioners wanting to refer or share resources.
