VCPEA Conference Agenda At-A Glance

*Please note the agenda will continue to be updated.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025   

12:00 - 3:00 PM: Registration & Check Out Exhibits! - Grand Ballroom Foyer

1:15 - 1:45 PM: Orientation for Scholarship Recipients - Pearl Salon I 

Exhibits (Open throughout Conference) - Grand Ballroom III-V 

2:00 - 3:15 PM: Breakout Sessions (Choose One) 

Workshop A: “Hoarding - The Basics”: Sooner or later every first responder will encounter a hoarded environment. The sights and smells are overwhelming and you may not know how to respond. We’ll discuss what Hoarding Disorder is, what causes it, why it's important to address it, its dangers, and tips and techniques to help the client. Presented by Maria Spetalnik, Maria Spetalnik LLC, Conquer the Clutter

Workshop B: “Do You Believe in Miracles? How to Tear Down Silos to Build Collaboration” :  Someone once said, “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.” While most of us appreciate the value of collaboration, we also recognize that it doesn’t come easily and requires significant effort. Some might even say it takes a miracle to achieve true collaboration. So, how do we break down silos and work successfully together? In this training, protective services caseworkers will learn how to foster collaboration within their scope of influence and work environment. Presented by Donna Creager, Temple University

Workshop C: “Elder Financial Abuse - Through The Eyes Of The Predator”:  In 2023, AARP estimated the annual cost of elder financial abuse (EFA) at approximately $28.3 billion. Our Center examines EFA through the ""eyes of the predator"" and provides education on how to detect and prevent financial attacks on vulnerable seniors. Presented by John R. Schwartz, Center for Combatting Elder Financial Abuse

3:30 - 4:45 PM: Breakout Sessions (Choose One) 

Workshop D: "Reframing Aging: How and Why to Change the Way We Talk About Older Adults”: We are all aging. Yet the language we use can hinder our efforts to prevent elder abuse and drive effective policy change. Learn how to reframe your communications in your personal and professional lives to make a real difference. Presented by Donya Lynn Currie, National Council on Aging

Workshop E: “When I’m 64”: Discussion of Financial Crimes Committed Against Aging Parents”: In this high energy session, Alison Martin will walk the learners through the particular pitfalls of prosecuting cases where children commit financial exploitation against their parents. Presented by Alison Martin, J.D, Henrico County

Workshop F: “Hoarding Community Response Teams”: Because hoarding is a complex behavioral problem that creates a dangerous living situation to the individual(s) involved, it often requires a multidisciplinary response. A hoarding community response team ensures a coordinated response and a compassionate approach to hoarding. Presented by Stephanie Edwards, York-Poquoson Social Services

Thursday, May 15, 2025

7:30 - 9:00 AM: Continental Breakfast - Grand Ballroom I & II

8:00 - 10:30 AM: Registration - Grand Ballroom Foyer

9:00 - 9:30 AM: Welcome Address - Grand Ballroom I & II

9:30 - 11:15 AM: Opening Session - Grand Ballroom  I & II

“Compassionate Caregiving” presented by Lisa Marshall: Lisa Marshall’s husband Peter passed away 12/26/21 from Early on-set Alzheimer’s at the age of 56. She shared her raw and transparent view with the world as they struggled down the road of demise, educating and enlightening those on the same journey.

11:45 - 1:15 PM: Luncheon followed by Special Presentations & Prize Drawings - Grand Ballroom I & II

1:30 - 3:00 PM: Breakout Sessions (Choose One) 

Workshop G: “If You’re Not into Yoga: Strategic Interventions to Prevent Burnout”: Many, if not all protective service workers do this work because they want to help people. What happens when the helpers need help? Who helps the helpers? This training will give practical and effective strategies to help reduce compassion fatigue and build compassion resilience to prevent burnout. Presented by Donna Creager, Temple University

Workshop H: "Elder Justice Shelter Innovation: Lessons in Communication, Collaboration, and Cooperation": Richmond has seen the number of older adults seeking homeless services nearly double in the last six years. This staggering increase prompted the creation of an elder justice shelter model that aims to bring wrap-around services to older adults experiencing abuse. This workshop will offer insights into the development process. Presented by Gigi Amateau and Aisling Clardy, Virginia Commonwealth University

Workshop I: “Lisa's Lookback: A Conversation on Early Onset Alzheimer’s”: Join us for an intimate and insightful session with keynote speaker Lisa Marshall, who shares her journey as a caregiver for her late husband, Peter, who passed away at the age of 56 from Early-onset Alzheimer’s. In this open forum, Lisa offers transparency and honesty, providing a unique perspective to those navigating the challenges of dementia. This is an opportunity to gain valuable insights into the realities of Early Onset Alzheimer’s, with 60 minutes dedicated to an open Q&A session, followed by a 30-minute book signing of her memoir, Oh Hello Alzheimer’s. Presented by Lisa Marshall

3:15 - 4:45 PM: Breakout Sessions (Choose One) 

Workshop J: “Beyond Alzheimer’s: Vulnerability in Other Dementias”: This session will help participants understand distinct vulnerabilities that can heighten the risk of abuse and exploitation for people living with non-Alzheimer’s dementias (such as Lewy body dementia). Presented by George Worthington, DARS

Workshop K: “Addressing the Needs of Perpetrators as a Method of Increasing APS Client Safety”: This workshop will explore research on what we know about elder abuse perpetrators, take a “not all perpetrators are alike” stance and explore what that means for interventions, and look at several collaborative programs that align with clients’ preferences and decrease offending, consequently increasing safety for APS clients and the community. Presented by Shelly Jackson, Department of Justice

Workshop L: “Hidden in Plain Sight – Uncovering Undue Influence”: Undue influence is often hidden and can only be uncovered if professionals can identify it, address it, and explain it to others. Whether you are a mandated reporter, APS professional, law enforcement professional, or prosecutor, this workshop has the potential to improve outcomes for victims and potentially save their lives. - Presented by Jordan Matthew Ford, J.D, and Nancy Warren, North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys

5:15 PM: Networking Reception - Grand Ballroom III-V

Friday, May 16, 2025 

7:00 - 7:30 AM: Yoga on the Green (in front of hotel) *Bring your own mat   

7:30 - 9:00 AM: Continental Breakfast - Grand Ballroom 

9:15 - 10:45 AM: Breakout Sessions (Choose One)

Workshop M: "First Ever Federal Regulations for Adult Protective Services (APS): Is Virginia Ready?": In June 2024, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) issued regulations to elevate best practices and bring consistency to APS programs nationwide. For years, APS programs have operated under state laws and regulations with no oversight from the federal government. What will federal regulations mean for APS and its service population? Presented by Paige McLeary and Carey Raleigh, DARS

Workshop N: To be confirmed

Workshop O: "Elder Financial Exploitation: New Collaborative Approaches with APS, Law Enforcement and Financial Institutions”: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) works intensively nationally and with individual communities on collaborative approaches to combatting elder financial exploitation (EFE). This session will discuss trends, emerging strategies, and other topics related to collaborative work by APS, law enforcement (LE), the financial industry, and others combatting and prosecuting EFE. Presented by Laura Richardson and Jenefer Duane, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

11:00 – 12:30 PM Closing Session- Grand  Ballroom 

“Celebrating Our Elders and Valuing Those Who Serve Them” presented by Jeff Byrd: Learning to suspend judgment of ourselves, others, and circumstances, while enhancing empathy, understanding and compassion toward elders and enhancing our values profile toward all.

 12:30 – 1:00 PM Final Thoughts and Prize Drawings - Grand Ballroom