From: Getgen, Denise Sent: Friday, March 24, 2017 4:35 PM To: 'Amy Cervone' Cc: Barley, Terry ; Hans, Peter ; Deitz, Laura ; Jones, Neeka ; Hargett-Robinson, Deborah Subject: POC request - Lawrence County Importance: High Amy, In follow up to our call on Wednesday afternoon (3/22/17) and again this morning, I was able to speak with Deputy Secretary Barley regarding the following concerns: • 133 Active PS cases – many of which the AAA does not have either an complete/adequate electronic or hard copy file to support that an investigation was completed or ensures the safety of the older adult • Regarding 11 of these active cases, the AAA has no evidence that an investigation was ever initiated/conducted/completed. As you are aware, the Cooperative Grant Agreement signed by the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Inc., Catholic Charities (Lawrence County Area Agency on Aging) and our Department (effective July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2021) memorializes that the AAA is designated as the local agency responsible for advocating for the wellbeing of older adults in Lawrence County. The agreement indicates that the agency agreed to provide protective services to older adults in accordance with the provisions of the Older Adults Protective Services Act (35 P.S. §§ 10225.101 – 10225.5102), implementing regulations (6 Pa. Code Chapter 15) and departmental policies. Specifically, § 15.12 (a)(2) of applicable regulation states that the agency’s responsibility in administering protective services include “the oversight of the delivery of protective services for older adults either directly or purchased under contract with another agency, in compliance with the area agency’s approved protective services plan, this chapter and other applicable State and Federal regulations or statutes.” Based on the report you submitted to our office earlier today regarding the status of each active case, the department is requesting immediate action be taken by the agency to ensure the safety of the 11 older adults who were the subjects of alleged abuse not yet investigated. In addition, a plan of correction must be submitted by your agency within 10 days of receipt of this email. Please ensure that the plan of correction addresses how Lawrence County AAA will ensure the completion of these cases. The plan must also specify the steps which will be taken to address new reports received and include a timeline as to when the agency will be back in compliance with statutory, regulatory and programmatic requirements. As outlined in the Cooperative Grant Agreement referenced above, program reports must be provided to PDA by the Grantee according to the time schedule(s) provided by PDA. If these reports are not submitted in a timely and acceptable manner it may result in non-payment of administrative costs from PDA to Grantee (up to 10% of the payment amount) until such time as the delinquent reports are received and accepted by PDA. The Department remains committed to working with the AAA however the importance of the local protective services program cannot be overemphasized. As a reminder, this program is a critical function of the AAA, and our Department pursuant to the Cooperative Grant Agreement, as it was designed to be a safety net for older adults who may be in need of services to protect them from all forms of abuse. Thank you, Denise Denise Getgen Director Protective Services Office Pennsylvania Department of Aging 555 Walnut St. 5th Floor Harrisburg, PA 17101 Phone: (717) 772-0184 Fax: (717) 772-2668 aging@pa.gov