The department shall, to the extent funding for this purpose remains with the department, establish one full-time position that reports to the director to assist counties with the following functions in their operation of the adult protective services system:
(a) Facilitating the review and update of state policies and procedures to promote best casework practices throughout the state, and providing technical assistance to local programs to promote consistent statewide adherence to these policies.
(b) Developing recommended program goals, performance measures, and outcomes for the adult protective services system, and a strategic plan to accomplish these recommended goals, performance measures, and outcomes.
(c) Collaborating with other state departments and local communities that provide or oversee elder justice services to address the needs of elders and adults with disabilities and improve coordination and effectiveness of adult protective services.
(d) Exploring the development of a state data collection system that builds on existing statewide data and additionally tracks outcomes that will align with national data collection efforts.
(e) Participating in national, statewide, and regional discussions on adult protective services and elder justice issues and providing information on California’s adult protective services programs.
(f) Participating in the development of federal and state policy that responds to new and emergent needs and develops suggested quality assurance measures to be implemented at the local level.
(g) Facilitating the development of a regionally based, ongoing, comprehensive and consistent statewide adult protective services training program that responds to new and emerging trends.
(h) In collaboration with experts in the field, developing guidelines for local adult protective services programs that will make recommendations for local practice in following areas:
(1) Caseload levels for adult protective services workers.
(2) Availability of tangible services for local programs.
(3) Educational and professional development of adult protective services workers.
(4) Structure for 24 hour adult protective services response.
(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 20, Sec. 29. (SB 79) Effective June 24, 2015.)