Introduction

Workshop
- Workshop Highlights
- Setting the Climate
- Elder Abuse
   Knowledge Inventory
- Definition of Vulnerable Adult
- What is Abuse?
- The Impact of Elder Abuse
- The Church’s Vulnerability
- Why Elders are Susceptible
   to Abuse
- Group Discussion Questions

A Case Study

The Screening Process

Resources

WHAT is Risk Management?
The Nonprofit Center for Risk Management believes the following phrases define risk and risk management for church organizations. “Risk is the possible deviation from what you expect to occur." Risk management, therefore, is:

• a discipline for dealing with uncertainty
• a system for making choices with respect to the populations you serve, the procedures and policies you adopt and the overall way to which you conduct the “business” of your organization
• a framework for understanding and predicting the potential liability of non-profit in the event something goes wrong
• a strategic approach to identifying exposures before they happen
• a model for responding to adverse effects of these

Risk exists when volunteers are placed in situations where they are serving vulnerable adults. The most common situations include helping in a care receiver’s home, visiting regularly, running errands, providing transportation, or providing respite care. Because of their physical, mental, emotional, or legal status, vulnerable adults may be more susceptible to abuse or fraud and less able to protect themselves.

Lyngblomsten recognizes that establishing risk management policies will require an additional effort for ministry leaders and other church staff involved in screening volunteers. It takes a greater awareness of the risks involved and a concerted effort to ensure that programs serving seniors provides a secure environment for its volunteers and those they serve.

While churches acknowledge that some-thing "might" or "could" happen, very few have standards in place to minimize those risks. Lyngblomsten is supporting churches with Care Team Ministry programs by creating standards and enhancing the screening process for volunteers.

Education and awareness was essential when introducing new practices to churches. Judy Urban of Shared Ministry Systems provided a workshop to Parish Nurses, Care Team Leaders, Pastors and other interested individuals associated with Lyngblomsten Care Team Ministry as well as the greater Minneapolis and St. Paul area. The training was offered in the fall of 2004 and the spring of 2005.