NAPSA

Central Region Meeting
2025-12-04 11:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
This meeting is held every 2 months on the first Thursday of the month from 11:30 am – 1 pm EST.
Please contact admin@napsa-now.org to gain access to the meetings.

Elder Justice Book Club
2025-12-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join virtually to discuss books and share ideas 3-4 times yearly. Members of the Elder Justice Community are welcome.
Co-presented by National Center on Elder Abuse and NAPSA Research to Practice (R2P) Interest Group
WHEN: Thursday December 4, 12pm PT/ 3pm ET – Zoom meeting
SIGN UP: Let us know your contact info for future meetings and voting on new reads, using https://forms.gle/dAwYt97PRw2TiD56A
Please email elaine.chen@med.usc.edu if help is needed.

The Younger Wife
by Sally Hepworth
“[An] appealing domestic suspense novel from bestseller Hepworth [with a] fast-moving plot. This often funny and affecting outing should win Hepworth new fans.”––Publishers Weekly
Stephen Aston is getting married again. The only problem is, he’s still married to his first wife, even though she is in a care facility for dementia. But he’ll take care of that easily, by divorcing her–even if his adult daughters protest.
With their mother unable to speak for herself, Tully and Rachel are determined to get to the truth about their family’s secrets, the new wife closing in, and who their father really is. But will getting to the truth unleash the most dangerous impulses…in all of them?

Please use this form https://forms.gle/AEp7dRka6pjt8baD9 to nominate books you’d like to explore moving forward. These may be from a variety of genres and we hope they’ll reflect diverse perspectives and stimulate discussion. Feel free to explore Book Recommendations Received thus far.
WAYS TO GET A COPY OF THE BOOK

Borrow a print copy from your local public library or university library.
Borrow the ebook or audiobook from your local library using the Libby app (or your library might offer free loans via other apps like Hoopla or Kindle loans). Contact your local library to learn more.
Purchase a used or new copy at Amazon, Abe Books, Thrift Books, another online book retailer, or your local bookstore.
Purchase a Kindle version through Amazon or listen to the audiobook with a paid subscription to Audible.

By the way, it’s okay to join the book club meeting without having completed or read the book.
QUESTIONS
Please contact elaine.chen@med.usc.edu or any of the other organizers below if you have any questions about the book club.
Organized by:

Elaine Chen, National Center on Elder Abuse, University of Southern California
Lori Mars, National Center on Elder Abuse, University of Southern California
Mariah C. Freark, Research to Practice Interest Group, National Adult Protective Services Association
Olivia Valdes, Research to Practice Interest Group, National Adult Protective Services Association

Mountain Region
2025-12-08 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
This meeting is held every two months on the 2nd Monday of the month from 3-4 pm EST. The October 2025 meeting will be held on the 3rd Monday.
Please contact admin@napsa-now.org to gain access to the meetings.

Membership Committee Meeting
2025-12-09 15:00 - 16:00
This meeting is held every 2 months on the second Tuesday of the month from 3-4 pm EST.
Please contact admin@napsa-now.org to gain access to the meetings.

NAPSA Education Committee Meeting
2025-12-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
This meeting is held the 4th Thursday of the month from 2-3 pm EST.
Please note: There is no November meeting. The December meeting will be on Dec 11th, 2025.
Please contact admin@napsa-now.org to gain access to the meetings.

NAPSA Development Committee Meeting
2025-12-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
This meeting is held the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 1-2 pm EST.
Please contact admin@napsa-now.org to gain access to the meetings.

Research to Practice (R2P) Meeting
2025-12-17 15:00 - 16:30 | Virtual
This meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 3-4:30 pm EST.
For more information on R2P meetings, please visit: https://www.napsa-now.org/r2p-interest-group-and-resource-library/

Public Policy Committee Meeting
2025-12-19 14:30 - 15:30 | Virtual
This meeting is held the 3rd Friday of the month from 2:30-3:30 pm EST.
Please contact admin@napsa-now.org to gain access to the meetings.

Scam Advice Forum Webinar
2025-12-25 12:30 - 13:30 | Virtual
The Scam Advice Forum Webinar is held on the 4th Thursday of each month from 12:30-1:30 pm EST.
To register, please click here.

NAPSA Education Development #2 Committee Meeting
2025-12-25 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
This meeting is held the 4th Thursday of the month from 3-4 pm EST.
Please note: November & December meetings will be combined for the holidays.
Please contact admin@napsa-now.org to gain access to the meetings.

Education Development Committee Meetings
2026-01-08 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-02-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
This meeting is held the 2nd Thursday every month from 2-3 pm EST.
Please contact admin@napsa-now.org to gain access to the meetings.

APS Nurses Group
2026-01-13 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-03-10 14:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
This meeting is held the 2nd Tuesday of every other month from 2-3:30 pm EST.
Please contact admin@napsa-now.org to gain access to the meetings.

Development Committee Meetings
2026-01-20 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
This meeting is held the 3rd Tuesday every month from 1-2 pm EST.
Please contact admin@napsa-now.org to gain access to the meetings.

January 2026 Scam Forum
2026-01-22 12:30 - 13:30
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5V6mJGuuRVa6rhGAC9y0vg
Date & Time: January 22, 2026 at 12:30 PM EST

Title:
Financial Decision Making in Older Age: A Neuropsychology Perspective

Description:
There are multiple reasons why certain older adults may become poorer decision makers and consequently more vulnerable to scam, fraud, and financial exploitation. This presentation will provide an overview of our research program to date focused on financial decision making in older age, which spans neuroimaging, behavioral economics, cognitive neuroscience, and other empirical approaches.

Speaker:
Duke Han, PhD, is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and tenured Professor of Psychology, Family Medicine, Neurology, and Gerontology at the University of Southern California. His research focuses on cognition and decision making in aging, with particular attention to factors that increase vulnerability to financial exploitation and dementia-related risk.
Dr. Han directs an NIH-funded research program integrating neuroimaging, cognitive neuroscience, and behavioral economics, and holds leadership roles with the USC Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and several national and international research initiatives. He is Editor-in-Chief of The Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and a recipient of the prestigious Paul B. Beeson Career Development Award from the National Institute on Aging.

This video will be recorded and uploaded to our website.

Education Committee Meetings
2026-01-22 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-02-26 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-26 14:00 - 15:00
This meeting is held the 4th Thursday every month from 2-3 pm EST.
Please contact admin@napsa-now.org to gain access to the meetings.

Membership Committee Meeting
2026-02-09 01:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
This meeting is held the 2nd Monday every two months from 1-2 pm EST.
Please contact admin@napsa-now.org to gain access to the meetings.

R2P Webinar - From Research to Action: Outcomes from Colorado’s Alternative Response Pilot for Tailored APS Intervention
2026-02-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Senate Bill (SB) 21-118 authorized an Alternative Response (AR) pilot within the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), Adult Protective Services (APS). This pilot creates a dual-track model for tailoring APS response to risk level. Allegations of low-risk mistreatment and self-neglect are tracked to AR and higher-risk allegations are tracked to Traditional Response. The Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab at the University of Denver serves as the independent evaluator for the legislatively required outcomes study. The goal of the study was to understand the effectiveness of AR and inform the future of this practice model. This webinar will review the evidence building approach for AR and present select reach, implementation, and impact outcomes for a 2-year study period (January 2023 through December 2024). Participants will discuss ways to translate AR pilot learnings into implementation and policy action in their locale, to advance best practices in APS through a data-informed lens.
Courtney L. Everson, PhD, is the Senior Project Director of the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab at the University of Denver. The Colorado Lab is the state’s research and policy lab supporting all three branches of government in unlocking data-informed solutions that improve lives. With fifteen years of experience in research, community engagement, and leadership in health and human services, Dr. Everson leverages the principles of collaboration, equity, and interdisciplinary science to advance evidence-based decision making and strategic learning. As a mixed methodologist, Dr. Everson leads much of the Colorado Lab’s research in public health, prevention sciences, and family strengthening across the life course. Dr. Everson is the principal investigator for the Alternative Response pilot outcomes evaluation. Dr. Everson holds a PhD in applied medical anthropology with doctoral-level concentrations in public health and women, gender, and sexuality studies.

Stefanie Woodard is the State Director of Colorado’s APS Program, in partnership with 60 county APS programs. She is committed to continual learning and system improvement, utilizing her experience in leadership, program development, quality improvement, and policymaking to guide collaborative practice in Colorado. With over 18 years of experience in at-risk populations both in the APS field and in I/DD services, Stefanie has experience overseeing investigations, complaints, workforce development, and program evaluation initiatives. Stefanie is passionate about advocacy to support positive outcomes for APS clients. She believes that leading with empathy and humanity is crucial to building genuine professional partnerships and supporting meaningful systemic changes. Stefanie holds a BA in Psychology and a Master’s in Public Administration, in addition to a Change Management certification.

Scam Forum: Challenges Facing Financial Institutions in Protecting Client Accounts Who Are Victimized in Transnational Frauds/Scams
2026-02-26 12:30 - 13:30 | Virtual
Financial institutions are facing growing challenges in protecting client accounts from increasingly sophisticated transnational frauds and scams. As fraud schemes evolve across borders, banks must navigate complex legal, regulatory, and operational constraints while striving to safeguard vulnerable clients—particularly those who experience chronic revictimization.
Laurel Sykes will share practical insights from the front lines of risk management, including:

Legal and regulatory constraints that impact what institutions can and cannot do
Strategies for supporting chronically revictimized individuals
Protective tools such as “trusted contacts” — and the limitations institutions may encounter when using them

With over 30 years’ experience in the banking industry, Laurel currently serves as EVP, Chief Risk Officer for American Riviera Bank. She leads the Bank’s consumer compliance and anti-money laundering/financial crimes divisions, and oversees the Human Resources, Marketing and Product Management functions. Ms. Sykes has comprehensive executive-level experience in risk management, specializing in governance, internal audit, BSA/AML, compliance, CRA, financial privacy, fair lending, fraud management and elder financial abuse prevention, vendor management, business continuity planning, and human resources management. American Riviera Bank received a Community Commitment Award from the ABA in the Protecting Older Americans category in 2024, honoring the Bank’s financial elder abuse and fraud prevention program.
The call will be recorded, and slides will be shared with all registrants.
We hope you’ll join us for this important discussion.

Ethics Committee
2026-03-03 11:00 - 12:30
This meeting is held the 2nd Tuesday of every other month from 11-12:30 pm EST. Must be a NAPSA Member. Please contact admin@napsa-now.org to gain access to the meetings.

R2P Journal Club: Data Driven Decision-Making in APS
2026-03-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
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As Adult Protective Services programs navigate rising caseloads, increasing complexity, and growing expectations for measurable outcomes, many agencies are shifting toward more structured, data-driven practices such as the use of formal assessment protocols. But what does this change look like in real-world APS practice?

Join us for an engaging conversation exploring the implementation of the Identification, Services, and Outcomes (ISO) Matrix — and what it means for APS professionals working on the frontlines.

About this Webinar
In this interactive session, Dr. Jarmin Yeh will share insights from a recent study (with co-authors Marian Liu and Rebecca Park) examining how APS professionals experience the shift toward standardized, data-driven practices such as the ISO Matrix.

As APS programs strive for greater consistency, transparency, and analytic rigor, the use of structured tools bring both promise and challenges — especially within a human-centered, high-stakes field. Drawing from focus groups with APS caseworkers and supervisors, this discussion will explore:

How data-driven tools help APS workers demonstrate the value of their work
Workforce perspectives on implementing the ISO given the complexity of real-life cases
Strategies for balancing technological innovations with the need to maintain strong human relationships

Featured Speaker
Jarmin Yeh, PhD – Associate Professor, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Institute for Health & Aging, School of Nursing
Dr. Yeh is a sociologist and gerontologist whose research focuses on age-friendly communities, age-friendly health systems, and workforce issues impacting older adults, people living with dementia, and caregivers. She directs the Community Action Research in Gerontology (CARING) Lab and co-directs the UCSF Emancipatory Sciences Lab.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage directly with the authors, ask questions, and reflect on how APS programs can implement structured tools in ways that strengthen both workforce support and elder justice outcomes.

Whether you’re an APS professional, researcher, administrator, or policymaker, this conversation will provide valuable insight into the future of data-informed APS practice.

Free Webinar with Embodied Labs!
2026-03-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
How Immersive Training Equips the APS Workforce
When: Thursday March 11th, 2026 at 12 PM ET
Register: Webinar Registration – Zoom
Immersive training is changing how Adult Protective Services professionals learn, practice, and strengthen real-world skills. Join NAPSA for an engaging webinar exploring how APS and state government programs are using immersive, first-person learning to support workforce development, improve outcomes, and build stronger systems. Through real examples and shared lessons learned, this session will highlight the why, what, and how behind this innovative training approach — and what it could mean for the future of APS.
Goal
Our primary goal is to build awareness of this innovative training tool across the NAPSA membership by showcasing how APS and State Government programs are currently using immersive training, highlighting the why, what, and how.
What We’ll Cover

Introduction & Goals — Speaker introductions and webinar objectives
What & Why — Understanding immersive first-person training and its impact
Who Is Using It — Spotlight on APS programs currently implementing immersive learning
Implementation Models — Practical examples of how immersive training works in real settings
Lessons Learned — Benefits, challenges, best practices, and measurable outcomes
The Future — Scaling adoption across APS and state government programs
Conclusion & Call to Action — Next steps and resources for leaders
Live Q&A with all speakers

Moderator:
Paul Needham
Panelists:
Jaime Dyson, jndyson@ucdavis.edu

Carrie Cusker, MS, RN
carrie.cusker@embodiedlabs.com

An innovator in the aging space and a fervent advocate for older adults and their care partners. Carrie draws on her 30 years of nursing experience to create meaningful, immersive content that encompasses both the clinical and human aspects of healthcare. With Embodied Labs, Carrie continues to challenge the social construction of aging through unique learning design. She has lent her voice to multiple conferences and webinar panels in efforts to inform, inspire, and celebrate innovation in aging services.

Elaine Fisher, M.Ed., LPC, NCC, CMS, Staff Development Director for the Colorado Department of Human Services
elaine.fisher@state.co.us

Elaine Fisher, M.Ed., LPC, NCC, CMS, serves as the Staff Development Director for the Colorado Department of Human Services, where she is dedicated to strengthening the professional infrastructure for more than 600 staff members. As a certified Enneagram Coach, she focuses on fostering a culture of mutual understanding and psychological safety as a foundation for systemic transformation. Her work centers on creating sustainable change, from pioneering the award-winning John Eachon Re-Entry Program to developing trauma-informed care frameworks that prioritize the dignity of both staff and the individuals they support. She advocates for equitable career paths that empower direct support professionals and ensure long-term stability for the workforce. Elaine remains committed to the belief that meaningful progress is achieved through collaborative, person-centered efforts to build more just and supportive systems.

Christine Chung-Camacho, MSW, Project Director: Central and Bay Area Adult Services Training Academy
christine07@mail.fresnostate.edu
Christine holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Saint Louis University in the Philippines and a Master of Social Work, with a specialization in mental health and gerontology, from the University of Southern California. She began her career at the Madera County Public Guardian Office and spent nearly six years with Madera County Child Protective Services, where she developed strong expertise in child dependency, permanency, reunification, family maintenance, and the Resource Family Approval program. Her leadership led to a promotion to Social Work Supervisor II, focusing on ICWA cases and serving as Education Liaison, followed by roles with Santa Rosa Tribal Social Services and the Madera County Court as a Family Court Services Child Court Recommending Counselor and investigator. With 17 years of experience serving the aging population, including roles in medical and behavioral health settings, Christine currently serves as Director of the Central and Bay Area Adult Services Training Academy, where she is committed to advancing excellence in Adult Protective Services.

Lauren Elcesser, LSW
lauren.elcesser2@fairfaxcounty.gov
Lauren Elcesser is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Director of Community Health with Inova, the largest health system in Northern Virginia. She has nearly 15 years of experience serving older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers in community-based settings.
Lauren has led Area Agency on Aging programs, directed Inova’s Medical House Calls Program, which provides in-home primary care for homebound older adults, and currently oversees Inova’s Transitional Care Clinics as well as ElderLink—a nonprofit partnership with the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging that delivers community-based programs promoting health and independence for older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers. In 2025, ElderLink received national recognition by USAging for its Exploring the Dimensions of Aging program which leverages the Embodied Labs platform to offer education and support to professional and family caregivers.
Through the management of medical practices and administering Older Americans Act programs, Lauren brings a unique perspective on the impact of partnerships between health care systems and Area Agencies on Aging.

Scam Forum: Fraud Recovery: The Missing ﻿Layer of Prevention
2026-03-26 12:30 - 13:30 | Virtual
Online fraud continues to impact millions of adults each year — yet what happens after a crime occurs is often overlooked. While prevention education remains essential, many individuals are left to navigate the financial, emotional, and social consequences of cybercrime on their own.
Join us for an important discussion focused on strengthening recovery support and addressing the critical gap that exists after online fraud takes place.
This session will explore how structured recovery services — including specialized peer support groups for victims of romance scams and crypto investment fraud — can reduce repeat victimization, improve reporting outcomes, and empower survivors to become strong advocates for prevention.
Speaker:
Ally Armeson, Executive Director of FightCybercrime.org, leads national initiatives designed to help individuals and communities recognize, report, and recover from cybercrime. Over the past four years, Ally and her team have worked directly with high-loss victims, supporting them as they rebuild their emotional, financial, and digital lives following devastating fraud experiences.
FightCybercrime.org leverages survivors’ lived experiences to develop practical recovery tools, enhance prevention education, and provide insights that help financial institutions, technology platforms, and policymakers better protect vulnerable adults.
This session will provide valuable insight into the role recovery support plays in strengthening overall fraud prevention efforts.
Please note: The webinar will be recorded, and presentation slides will be shared with all registrants following the event.
We hope you will join us for this important conversation.

April R2P Webinar: APS Work with Clients at the End of Life: Challenges, Support Needs, and Advance Care Planning
2026-04-02 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Join NAPSA’s Research to Practice (R2P) Interest Group for an upcoming webinar on Thursday, April 2 at 3:00 PM EST.
APS Work with Clients at the End of Life: Challenges, Support Needs, and Advance Care Planning
Adult Protective Services (APS) professionals often work with clients who are seriously ill or nearing the end of life while also addressing complex cases of elder abuse and self-neglect. This webinar will highlight findings from focus groups with APS professionals exploring the unique challenges they face in these situations, including family conflict, service barriers, client self-determination, and emotional strain.
The session will also examine how APS workers approach advance care planning conversations and identify critical support needs, including stronger interagency collaboration and organizational resources to better support practice in end-of-life contexts.
Speakers
Wei-Lin Xue, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University
Dr. Xue’s research focuses on dementia caregiving, dyadic relationship quality, and elder mistreatment, with an emphasis on developing theory-driven interventions to strengthen caregiver commitment and well-being. Her work integrates social, behavioral, and health sciences to improve outcomes for caregivers and persons living with dementia.
Joy Swanson Ernst, PhD, MSW
Associate Professor Emerita, Wayne State University School of Social Work
Dr. Ernst’s research draws on APS data and community partnerships to examine caregiver neglect, self-neglect, APS workers’ experiences in end-of-life care, and the effectiveness of interdisciplinary social work-nurse teams in APS interventions. Her recent work explores innovative approaches to addressing mistreatment, including technology-based strategies for self-neglect prevention. Dr. Ernst is also a long-time member of NAPSA’s Research to Practice (R2P) Interest Group.
If you are unable to attend live, the webinar will be recorded and posted to our website afterward for later viewing.
