Christa Clapp joined the Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Team with the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office in October 2022. In her current role as an Elder Abuse Program Specialist, Ms. Clapp coordinates the New Hampshire (NH) Financial Abuse Specialty Team (FAST). She manages the content Stayconnectednh.org (NH FAST’s informational website), provides educational opportunities to the members of the NH FAST and the community, and coordinates enhanced multi-disciplinary teams to address the maltreatment of older New Hampshire residents.
Ms. Clapp holds degrees in Public Administration and Criminal Justice. She has 27 years of human services field experience in mental health, child protection and adult protective services. Her experience includes active participation in multi-disciplinary teams focused on child abuse and sexual assault.
NH FAST is a statewide multi-disciplinary group, including members from Adult Protective Services, state regulatory agencies, the US attorney’s office, NH Legal Assistance, banks, credit unions, the Alzheimer’s Association, and local law enforcement agencies. The NH FAST’s mission is to increase public awareness of the financial exploitation of older New Hampshire citizens and mitigate the risk of further and continuing harm.
Created in 2013, the NH FAST has held statewide summits, hosted a three-state conference, and created an award-winning media campaign. The NH FAST spearheaded legislation making the financial exploitation of elderly, impaired, and disabled individuals a crime in New Hampshire, and helped secure the passage of SB 385, a law allowing financial institutions to delay the disbursement of funds if exploitation is suspected.
Successes
- New Hampshire’s ten county attorneys have begun receiving Adult Protective Services law enforcement referrals. These referrals were previously distributed only to local law enforcement and the Department of Justice.
- Our “test” case for the local E-MDT approach was successfully brought to prosecution following three case reviews by E-MDT.
- A case review at the NH FAST highlighted the successful use of recently passed legislation, SB385. Adult Protective Services, local law enforcement, and the bank worked together to stop a scam in progress, and a substantial amount of money was returned to the rightful owner.
Challenges
There is no structured collaborative statewide approach in addressing maltreatment of New Hampshire’s older residents. New Hampshire is small, but each county presents unique needs. Integrating a state-run APS agency with county-based prosecution is the goal of the program coordinator position. Increasing and improving interagency communication was an unidentified need.
A Recent Helpful Resource/Offering of the Center
The webinars, “The Role of Prosecution in E-MDT,” have been informative and helpful for creating our local E-MDT approach. Access to other coordinators has been invaluable, as the position carries unique challenges.
Quick Tip for E-MDT Coordinators
Ask the question! Too often, it is assumed that the lack of participation is due to a lack of interest. More often, this can be attributed to a lack of knowledge or invitation. Pick up the phone and extend the invitation.
Burning Question for Other E-MDT Coordinators
How do you measure success? And more importantly, how do you celebrate it?
