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Council member raises urgent concerns about Adult Protective Services case handling
1:46:08
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171 sec
Council Member Rita C. Joseph expresses serious concerns about the handling of an Adult Protective Services (APS) case in her district, involving an older adult facing imminent eviction. She criticizes the lack of communication and responsiveness from APS since January.
- Council member highlights a 15% increase in demand for APS services
- Questions are raised about APS staffing levels and capacity to handle cases
- Commissioner Molly Wasow Park states that 97% of APS cases are reviewed within the state-mandated timeframe
- The specific case is acknowledged as having 'fallen through the cracks,' and the Commissioner commits to immediate follow-up
- Council member emphasizes the urgency of the situation, with the eviction scheduled for the next day
Rita C. Joseph
1:46:08
Let's talk about APS for a minute.
1:46:11
How many let's talk about adult protective services.
1:46:13
I have a client in my district who's been reaching out and she's due to be evicted March 18.
1:46:20
We've been trying to reach out to APS, no one has been returning our phone call.
1:46:25
And this is an older adult, as council member Stevens, this is very bothersome for me.
1:46:30
So I came here today to find out some answers.
1:46:33
She's been supervisor, they called, we spoke to them, and then they stopped communicating.
1:46:40
So APS as well, I know there's an increase, I know there's been a huge 15% increase in demand.
1:46:46
How many staffers do you have in that office?
1:46:50
And how many people do you need in that office to get the job done?
Molly Wasow Park
1:46:54
We'll pull up the exact number of staffers, but we are reviewing I think 97% of cases within the timeframe that is mandated by state law, which is a quite narrow timeframe.
1:47:07
APS obviously
Rita C. Joseph
1:47:10
urgent This case is January.
1:47:11
We haven't heard from APS since January.
1:47:13
It is March.
Molly Wasow Park
1:47:14
Happy to follow-up offline on the specifics of the case, but APS does not have a particular staffing issue right now.
1:47:23
What I think is challenging around APS is eligibility is set with very specific criteria in state law so that people need We can read the actual specifics, but people must be both unable to take care of themselves and have nobody able to do it.
Rita C. Joseph
1:47:45
But you are involved in this case, so that means she meets the criteria.
1:47:49
So what is the standard practice for vulnerable adults in delaying up to imminent evictions?
1:47:54
What's the process?
1:47:54
So if she's in your care, she's APS, that means she's already met all of your criterias.
1:47:59
Okay.
1:47:59
Right?
1:48:00
So now why is she not getting the support since January?
1:48:03
We reached out to APS and no one has responded to her and her eviction is March 18.
1:48:08
Those are the answers I'm here to get today.
Molly Wasow Park
1:48:10
Okay.
1:48:11
I can't speak to the specific case.
1:48:14
We are happy to follow-up offline.
1:48:17
I just I don't know this particular individual off the top of my head.
1:48:22
Something has fallen through the cracks, we will
Rita C. Joseph
1:48:24
Through the crack is an understatement.
1:48:27
Through the crack commissioner is an understatement.
Molly Wasow Park
1:48:29
We are happy to follow-up on the specific case.
Rita C. Joseph
1:48:32
And I'm ready to follow-up right now if we need to because March 18 is what?
1:48:35
Tomorrow.
Molly Wasow Park
1:48:36
Understood.
Rita C. Joseph
1:48:37
Tomorrow.
1:48:38
And this is an older adult that's in your care.
1:48:40
APS, that means she's in your care, she met all the criteria and she's here.
1:48:44
So we need to do everything we can in our power.
1:48:46
This is an older adult, vulnerable New Yorkers that are in your care.
Molly Wasow Park
1:48:49
So before we leave today we'll make sure to get the name of the individual and we will follow-up immediately.
Rita C. Joseph
1:48:55
Thank you, chair.
Diana Ayala
1:48:57
Thank you.
1:48:58
Council Member Ressler?