In 2000 the Area Agency on Aging of Dane County, the lead agency for investigating Elder Abuse in our county, developed Dane County FAST or the Financial Abuse (of seniors) Specialist Team.
FAST is a model that was originally created in California for addressing financial elder abuse. FAST was created out of a need to address the growing number and complexity of financial abuse cases.
The purpose of Dane County’s FAST is to provide consultation on cases of financial abuse of seniors to professionals in the community who serve the older population. The consultations are intended to facilitate the planning and implementation of comprehensive services to older victims of financial abuse.
FAST consists of a diverse group of professionals, including lawyers in government, public interest, and private practice; social workers; local bank officers; law enforcement; financial counselors; representatives of groups providing services to the disabled and elderly, and other individuals with an interest in preventing and remedying financial abuse of vulnerable populations.
In addition to the case consultations, FAST receives ongoing training on relevant topics and provides public education to banks, senior service agencies, and other groups to help them to reduce the incidence of financial exploitation of older adults.
Dane County’s FAST meets on the fourth Thursday of each month from 11:30am-12:30pm via Zoom. For more information about FAST or to make a report of possible abuse, please call the Adult Protective Services Helpline at 608-261-9933.
