Bay County Sheriff John W. Miller, Kim Bejcek, Bay County DHS, Michael Cecchini, Bay City Public Safety Director, with awards.
HUMAN SERVICES FIRST: Vulnerable Adult Protocol Brings Award to County
June 11, 2015
By: Dave Rogers
The leadership team which supported the new Bay County Vulnerable Adult Protocol was named co-winners of the Bay County Human Services Collaborative Council Award.
This team includes; Kurt Asbury, Prosecutor, Bay County Prosecutor's Office, Kim Bejcek, Director, Bay County Department of Human Services, Michael Cecchini, Director, Bay City Department of Public Safety and John Miller, Bay County Sheriff.
Bay County is among the first communities in the state to develop and adopt a Vulnerable Adult Protocol.
The Bay County Vulnerable Adult Protocol provides a framework of "best practices" for agencies to use today and in the future when investigating cases of suspected vulnerable and older adult abuse. It also helps to strengthen relationships between law enforcement, adult protective services and the Bay County Prosecutor's Office.
In addition to the award winners named, the following people also assisted in the development of the protocol:
Jeff Stroud, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Bay County Prosecutor's Office; Diane Reh, Supervisor Adult Protective Services, Bay County Department of Human Services; Leslie Darrow and Dan Anderson, Community Policing Officers, Bay City Department of Public Safety;
Matt Pett, Detective, Bay County Sheriff's Office; Michael Darrow, Trooper, Michigan State Police; Tammy Roehrs, Director, Bay County Division on Aging and Jeanne Yonke, Domestic Violence Program Director, Bay Area Women's Center.
The Michigan Model Vulnerable Adult Protocol (MI-MVP) is a blueprint for communities to implement for the purpose of reducing harm and victimization of vulnerable adults through a coordinated team approach and applies to situations described in Section 400.11(a-f) of the Social Welfare Act, as amended.
This model protocol will aid in systemic changes and ensure reports are appropriately reviewed, investigated and prosecuted and will ensure victims are effectively referred to necessary social and health services.
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