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Spotlight on Innovations and Achievements: County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services

We're highlighting the cutting-edge programs and successful strategies used by the 2018 recipients of n4a's Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards in this weekly spotlight feature. This week we're focusing on the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services' Adult Protective Services Training Academy Program. The agency was a 2018 a winner in the Workforce Development category.

The County of San Diego Adult Protective Services Training Academy is designed to support new Adult Protective Services specialists. The program runs for one year and includes monthly in-person meetings with expert community professionals. Program attendees are expected to complete the San Diego State University Academy of Excellence MASTER core curriculum and be eligible for the nationally recognized National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) Certificate 12 months after graduation.

The Adult Protective Services Training Academy Program came into existence when the team at the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging and Independence Services observed that when training new staff, the new employees often worked better in group settings, which enabled them to collaborate and discuss the training with each other. This observation led to the creation of the program that allows new employees to complete the yearlong training with other new employees in different counties and even those who are in different parts of the country. The program launched in 2015 and can be replicated easily by other AAAs. The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services team is happy to answer any questions AAAs seeking to replicate the program may have.

To build upon this training, the team would like to add another component to the training—a simulation that would use a home set-up facility that is provided by the San Diego Sheriff's Probation Department. This particular part of the program is modeled after a successful simulation that took place in Orange County. The team in San Diego has continued to grow the program by adding components to the training schedule and incorporating values and ethics throughout the program. 

To learn more about the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services' Adult Protective Services Training Academy Program, contact Chris Alire, Program Manager at the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging and Independence Services at Chris.Alire@sdcounty.ca.gov.

To learn more about last year's winners, read our press release and check out our book of winners to learn how your agency can implement this or similar programs in your community!

Contributors

Contributors

USAging Fact: Learn about your peers’ work—and how it can fit into your agency’s goals! The AIA Awards recognizes successful and innovative programs that USAging members have developed to serve older adults. Get inspiration from our 2023 winners!