“If It’s Not Your Money - It’s a Crime!”

It's Everyone's Business Campaign Takes Aim at Financial Exploitation 

Adult Protective Services (APS), a division of the Department of Family and Protective Services, is urging all Texans to make it their business to protect the elderly and people with disabilities from financial exploitation. 

The agency identified 1,836 victims of financial exploitation in Texas last year, although there are likely many more that went unrecognized and unreported.  In El Paso, APS has validated 119 allegations of financial exploitation during the last 2 years (54 in 2009 and 65 in 2008.)

That is why, across Texas, APS is holding conferences, passing out  HYPERLINK "http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/everyonesbusiness/PDFs/Financial-Exploitation_Eng.pdf" brochures, and meeting with banks and other organizations that could intervene to protect exploitation victims. APS is also delivering exploitation information directly to its clients and, in some areas, holding events at community centers that combine fun activities like Bingo with presentations on exploitation. 

Locally in El Paso, the 3^rd annual Crimes Against the Elderly Conference and Legal Day is being held on October 14^th at the El Paso Community College Administrative Services Center (9050 Viscount.) Adult Protective Services and the El Paso County Attorney will host the all day seminar.  Afternoon speakers will address the topics of elder financial exploitation, identity theft and power of attorney.  Last year, more than 200 bankers, home health providers, social workers and legal professionals who work daily servicing many El Paso seniors attended.

“It is sad but sometimes the elderly are victimized by their own adult children," says Beth Engelking, DFPS assistant commissioner for Adult Protective Services. "Other times the exploiter is a paid caregiver or other family member.  It is critical that everyone understands that if it’s not your money, it’s financial exploitation, and that's a crime."

Financial exploitation is the illegal or improper use of another person's money or property for personal profit or gain.  Signs of financial exploitation include:     

Sudden changes in bank accounts or banking practices.

Unexplained or unexpected withdrawal of large sums of money.

Adding names to an elderly or disabled person’s bank signature card.

Unfamiliar people accompanying bank customers to withdraw large sums.

Unauthorized withdrawal of funds using ATM card or sudden transfers of assets.

Sudden changes in financial documents. 

Unpaid bills despite having enough money.

Previously uninvolved relatives who suddenly claim rights to a person’s affairs and possessions.

Abuse of power of attorney.

Engelking urges all Texans who know someone with a disability or who is elderly to be on the lookout for signs of financial exploitation. If you suspect exploitation, call 1-800-252-5400 and file a report so APS and law enforcement can investigate. Or you can report online at  HYPERLINK "http://www.txabusehotline.org" TxAbuseHotline.org.

Stopping financial exploitation is one of the main themes of APS’ It’s Everyone’s Business campaign, which also educates Texans on other forms of adult abuse and neglect.

Find out more at  http://www.everyonesbusiness.org EveryonesBusiness.org, including tips on how Texans can protect themselves from financial exploitation.

                                             

Facts and Figures

Texas has more than 2.4 million residents 65 or older (more than 78,000 in the El Paso area.) Another two million younger adults have a disability (more than 62,000 in the El Paso area.)

Last year, APS investigations confirmed that 50,936 Texans living at home and 1,329 Texans living in institutions were victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. (52,265 total statewide and 2,134 in the El Paso area.) 

About half of abuse, neglect, and exploitation victims were elderly and about half were younger adults with disabilities.

Last year, APS investigations found that 1700 adults living at home and 136 adults living in institutions were victims of financial exploitation. (1,836)

Last year, APS referred more than 8,000 allegations of financial exploitation to law enforcement. 

The mission of APS is to protect the elderly and adults with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation by investigating, and providing or arranging for services to alleviate or prevent further maltreatment.

CASA FORD CAR DEALERSHIP WILL BE DONATING BASEBALL CAPS TO PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY PATIENTS AT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT PROVIDENCE

El Paso, Texas – September 27, 2010 – The Children’s Hospital at Providence located at 2001 N. Oregon, will be hosting Casa Ford (local car dealership) starting today at 1pm on the third floor at Kidsville. The dealership will be providing caps to the hospitalized pediatric patients at the Children’s Hospital at Providence.   The hospital on average treats approximately 500 pediatric oncology in-patients per year.   MEDIA IS INVITED.

The caps are needed to help cancer patients during one of the most difficult parts of their treatment. Approximately 650,000 Americans receive chemotherapy each year many of those are pediatric according to the American Cancer Society. Many of these patients face the heart wrenching side effect of chemotherapy hair loss during treatments meant to help them recover. Not only must these tiny cancer patients face a life-threatening illness, they must also learn to deal with seeing a different person in the mirror.

Wearing these special caps can help suddenly-bald cancer patients feel like themselves again. The caps fend off the cold, as well as unwelcome stares, and provide another headgear option.

UTEP Fall 2010 Enrollment Surpasses 22,000

Fall 2010 enrollment at The University of Texas at El Paso has reached a historic high of 22,106, a 5.2 percent increase over the fall 2009 figure.

Census day figures indicate that the fall 2010 enrollment represents the second largest year-to-year increase in the last 30 years, and the twelfth straight year in which enrollment has climbed at the University. In addition, UTEP is welcoming its largest freshman class of 4,390, a 9.7 percent increase in enrollment from fall 2009.

UTEP’s enrollment saw a dramatic increase in new doctoral students, from 94 to 126, a 34 percent jump from fall 2009. Overall, the number of new first-time undergraduate students grew 8 percent to 2,610 from 2,416.

“Part of our strength as a University is our accessibility to area students, many of whom are first-generation college students,” UTEP President Diana Natalicio said. “We are also pleased that enrollment of students who are in the top 10 percent of their high school class is steadily increasing as well.

“The choice to attend UTEP is a testament to the quality of the work of our talented and dedicated faculty and the innovative academic programs we continue to develop on our way to becoming the first national research university with a 21^st century student demographic. The rich educational experiences students are offered will benefit them and contribute to the economic development and quality of life of this region as they become productive members of our community.” 

Natalicio has focused on creating a 21^st century educational model that balances access, affordability and excellence in an institution that offers 80 bachelor’s, 84 master’s and 17 doctoral degree programs—with more on the way. UTEP is an emerging national research university, and one of seven in the state striving to attain Tier One status.

“Undergraduate Admissions efforts to get the word out to the El Paso community about UTEP as an affordable and quality option for higher education is paying off as new undergraduate students are enrolling at UTEP in record numbers to fulfill their dream of a college education,” said Craig Westman, Ph.D., associate provost for enrollment services.

“UTEP continues to enhance its work by helping continuing students across campus with core services such as advising, financial planning, degree and career planning, which allow students to remain in school and on track to degree completion.” 

Fall Semester Enrollment

    2010                 22,106

    2009                 21,011
    2008                 20,458
    2007                 20,154
    2006                 19,842
    2005                 19,268
    2004                 18,918
    2003                 18,542
    2002                 17,232

West Nile Cases Reach 14 So Far This Year

 El Paso, Texas – A total of seven new cases of West Nile Virus have been identified by the City of El Paso Department of Public Health.  Within the last week, the following cases were added to the list:

• 63-year-old male residing in the 79905 zip code
• 25-year-old male residing in the 79935 zip code
• 15-year-old female residing in the 79838 zip code
• 67-year-old male residing in the 79935 zip code
• 21-year-old male residing in the 79907 zip code
• 65-year-old male residing in the 79912 zip code
• 55-year-old female residing in the 79936 zip code

These new cases bring the total count of West Nile Virus for the year to 14.  Because mosquitoes are the main source for transmitting the virus, the 4 D’s are ways to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding.

• Dusk and dawn are when mosquitoes are most active.  Avoid outdoor activities during these times.
• Dress – If you are outside, cover up by wearing pants, long-sleeved shirts, shoes and socks.
• Drain standing water on the ground, water in tires, plastic containers, cans, kiddie pools or any other type of container that can hold water.  Mosquitoes can lay their eggs in very little water.
• DEET – Use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET (chemical name N,N-diethyl-metatolumide).  Be sure to follow the instructions for use on the container.

Other tips:

• Check window and door screens and repair any holes.  Make sure door seals are secure.
• Do not over-irrigate your farmland or property as this allows water to stagnate and mosquitoes to breed.

To report mosquito breeding, call the Code Compliance Division of the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department at 599-6290.

Additional information can be found by clicking the West Nile Virus link on the Health Department homepage at www.elpasotexas.gov/health

EPCC SET TO REMEMBER 9/11

El Paso Community College’s Student Leadership and Campus Life, along with the  Student Government Association, will be having a 9/11 Remembrance event at EPCC Northwest Campus located at 6701 South Desert Blvd., Friday, September 10 from 8:00am – Noon.  The purpose of this year's event, in addition to honoring the victims and fallen heroes of that fateful day, is to stress the importance of being prepared, as individuals and as a community, for unforeseen emergency situations.

 The ceremony will begin at 8:00 a.m. followed by a Freedom Walk at 10:00 a.m.  Representatives from Fort Bliss, Office of Emergency Management, Operation Homefront, The American Red Cross, and EPCC faculty will speak.  Adriana Nevarez and the 62nd Army Band, 5-52 Battalion, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade will perform during the event.   Color Guard from all five branches of the Armed Forces will be represented, a 21 Gun Salute will mark each time a plane crashed and several government and community agencies will be available to provide information about disaster readiness and emergency preparedness.

 At 10:00a.m., a Freedom Walk will be held and sponsored by EI Paso Community College, EPCC Student Government Association, EPCC Student Leadership and Campus life and Operation Homefront.  A Memorial Wall will display photos of the victims, a timeline of the events of that day and pictures of the crash sites.  Documentaries about 9/11 will be on display on television screens around the event. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided.  

INDUSTRIAL HYGIENISTS ORGANIZING IN THE BORDERLAND

EL PASO, TX, AUGUST 23, 2010: Borderland Industrial Hygiene Professionals will hold an organizing meeting on Friday, September 17, at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at The Pavilion on the grounds of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., 850 Hawkins Boulevard in east-central El Paso . All interested industrial hygiene, health and safety, public health, environmental, and allied professionals are welcome to attend. Lunch will be provided, and RSVPs are requested.

This initial meeting is intended to explore the feasibility of establishing of a local chapter of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) in the Borderland. Also, ideas will be presented regarding alternatives to a membership-based IH organization. For more information contact Fred McGuigan, CIH, CSP, at 915 782 7358, or Kirsten Eganhouse at 915 775 5554.

Bulldog Bash Exercise to start Sept. 13

FORT BLISS, Texas – Members of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division will engage in a month-long training exercise Sept. 13 through Oct. 9 in and around Northeast El Paso and Southern New Mexico.

The exercise called “Bulldog Bash,” will be conducted in and around El Paso County, Texas and Dona Ana, Otero, Luna, Grant and Hidalgo Counties in Southern New Mexico.

Considering the proximity of the exercise to the public, residents may see occasional flares and smoke, neither of which poses risk to persons or property.  Residents that encounter a problem should contact local law enforcement officials who will immediately contact exercise control officials.

Safety is the number-one priority for this exercise with various risk management controls being incorporated in all phases of the operation, to include the military convoys that will be traveling throughout the month of September and early October.

Military vehicles in convoys will be using local roads, highways and interstate roads to travel from Fort Bliss to Las Playas, N.M., located in Hidalgo County, and will in some instances cause traffic delays. 

However military convoy times are planned to cause the least amount of disruption to civilian traffic. 

The roads the ‘Bulldog Brigade’ will be using, will include but not limited to Chaffee Road, Spur 601, U.S. 54, Interstate Highway 10, Aircraft Rd, New Mexico State Highway 9 and Smelter Rd. 

These roads have been accessed as having the least delays to civilian traffic.

Operation Bulldog Bash will be the second brigade-level training event to be conducted by the

“Bulldog Brigade” since activating in July 2009, and will include more than 700 vehicles and 3300 Soldiers participating during various times.

The concept of the field training exercise is to assess the brigade’s capabilities in counter insurgency prior to deploying world-wide for operational and contingency rotations along with challenging the command and control of the brigade during full spectrum operations.

Officials at the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division appreciate the help and consideration of the citizens of El Paso and Southern New Mexico, extend to the Bulldog Soldiers participating in the exercise and ask for their continued understanding of any inconveniences the training may cause.