Adult Abuse:
A Community Problem

When an adult is a victim, or at risk for physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, financial abuse or emotional abuse, it is the community's responsibility to work cooperatively to help that person. Because there are so many people that abuse effects and a multitude of separate agencies in place to work with these individuals, some victims are lost in the shuffle. As society and technology seem to be changing at the speed of light, so are the problematic circumstances and situations of many adults.

As the number and complexity of abuse reports has increased, resources to deal with the problems have not. Agencies and professionals involved in addressing maltreatment  have struggled, often in isolation and occasionally at cross-purposes, to meet an increasing burden.

For years, some professionals have informally consulted across professional disciplines in an effort to cope with these problems. Others have formalized these connections in multidisciplinary protection teams.

The Shawnee County Multidisciplinary Adult Protection Team (SCMAPT) was formed in 2005 with multifaceted representation from a variety of disciplines.

The team is designed to promote the safety and well being of adults in our community. The team provides expert multidisciplinary consultation, upon referral, concerning adults in our community who are, or are risk of, being abused or in danger and need assistance and recommendation from professionals in our community.

The MDT's Role

The Team is a resource to community agencies that refer cases.

The Team advocates for resources and funding to fill identified gaps and barriers in services.

The Team collects and shares knowledge and information about the case and makes recommendations to the referral source.

The Team strives to find innovation solutions to address issues and barriers (communication, financial, legal, etc.) in the referral situation.

How the MDT Assists

Referrals are welcome from the community. The MDT will provide:

• Alternate Care and Behavior Management     Strategies

• Comprehensive Consultation Services
• Identification of Resources
• Treatment Planning
• Community Collaboration
• Reduce Feelings of Isolation
  

Suggested Referral Sources

• Providers
• Case Managers
• Caretakers
• Anyone providing care to an adult in some way