Not Forgotten Coalition

MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of the Not Forgotten Coalition is to enhance the quality of seniors’ lives through education and advocacy.
VISION:
A more educated senior and caregiver population that’s prepared for all that comes their way—both the good and the trying
GOALS:
· To educate the seniors, caregivers, adults with disabilities, and the community about issues affecting seniors and adults with disabilities
· To advocate for the needs of seniors and adults with disabilities
· To provide for seniors’ and disabled adults’ needs by maintaining an emergency resource room for APS clients and through the Adopt-A-Caseworker program
WHAT IS THE NOT FORGOTTEN COALITION?
The Not Forgotten Coalition is a group of concerned people from agencies, businesses, and groups dedicated to senior citizens and adults with disabilities. This is a partnership with Adult Protective Services (APS).
WHO IS ABUSED, NEGLECTED, AND EXPLOITED?
Abuse, neglect, and exploitation occurs to elderly men and women of all income levels, all cultural and ethnic groups, to those in good health and those incapacitated in some way, in poor neighborhoods and in suburbia. More than 8,700 elderly and disabled in this area were reported to APS as victims of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation in 2005, resulting in more than 4,400 confirmed as victims. We know that all too many victims are never reported to APS.
WHO ABUSES, NEGLECTS, AND EXPLOITS THE ELDERLY?
Abuse, neglect, and exploitation is perpetrated on the elderly by their adult children, spouses, grandchildren, other relatives, siblings, service providers, acquaintances, and strangers. Self-neglect also occurs.
WHAT KIND OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION OCCURS?
The elderly are victims of
· Neglect – Physical, medical, and self-neglect
· Abuse – Physical abuse, including beatings, bruises, cuts, burns, confinement; emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse
· Exploitation – Illegal or improper use of the elderly’s resources for personal benefit without informed consent

For information, call Patricia Scrivano at 210 337-3297. To report abuse, neglect, and exploitation, call 1-800-252-5400.

Elder Law

The Elder Law Section of the San Antonio Bar Association
Invites you to a free forum:

AGING GRACEFULLY: Alternatives for Maintaining Independence

Tuesday, May 2nd, 2006 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Norris Conference Center • 4522 Fredericksburg Rd.
At Crossroads Mall • Next to Super Target

Free box lunch provided to first 100 persons who register by April 24, 2006

Topics Include: Understanding physical and mental changes • Discovering available community resources • Using legal alternatives to direct your medical and financial future
• Understanding the basics of Medicare/Medicaid.

*Attorneys and resource provider organizations will be present to answer questions.


For information or registration, call (210) 283 - 6672 • Seating is limited.

Elder Law

Meeting/CLE Notice: The Elder Law Section of the San Antonio Bar Association will be holding a lunch time CLE program. The speaker is David P. Stanush, Attorney with Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison & Tate, who will speak on "Dangerous Clauses in Estate Planning Documents."
CLE Hours: CLE .75 hours (no ethics)
Audience: Attorneys, Judges, and interested non-attorneys.
Time: Noon, Friday, May 12, 2006
Place: Conference Room, 2nd floor of 111 Soledad, San Antonio, TX 78205 (opposite old Solo Serve and Mexican Manhattan; one block north of Bexar County Courthouse)
Food: Catered sandwiches, chips, and drinks
Charge: $10
PLEASE make reservations by calling in your name, telephone number, and number who will attend from your office to Cheryl McMullan's voice mail 212-4076 on or before noon on Tuesday May 9th Thank you

How This Works & How To Contribute

Periodically, short articles will be posted to this site - written by invited authors. Their byline, together with a short bio and photo (if they choose to provide one), will be included.

Topics will vary, and the articles may involve linking the reader to other information found on other sites. There's a lot of info out there.

If you would like to comment, suggest, or contribute, then please contact me at (210) 335-2546. However, I cannot address any communications dealing with specific cases, pending or past, as well as any questions requesting legal advice.

-- Judge Tom Rickhoff

The Professionals of Probate Court Two

The outstanding feature of this office is each and every individual who works as a part of this courtroom team. I hope to see their own contributions to this site at some point.

I simply have the best personnel of any court in the state, and I'm proud to claim it. Intuition, good fortune, somehow I stumbled upon a great group of people - I'm daily thankful they're here. And, from all the feedback I receive, everyone shares my appreciation.

In the photo are: (top row) Martin ("Marty") Collins, staff attorney; Herb Schaefer, administrative assistant; me; Eddie Maldonado, bailiff; (bottom row) Eleanor ("Elie") Castillo, assistant court auditor; Liz McDevitt, court auditor; Rebecca Gonzalez, court clerk; Sue Bean, court investigator; Veronica Bowles, court reporter.

To reach these folk, or to learn about our court procedures, please refer to the information provided at the Bexar County website.

- Judge Tom Rickhoff

This Blog's Purpose

This blog has been created and will be maintained as interactive support for those professionals dealing with the wide variety of issues facing our Bexar County Probate Court.

Invited contributors will include not only attorneys appearing in our court, but others who are critically involved in the sensitive issues we must address.

Health care professionals, agency workers, and representatives of various charitable organizations all have important information to share.

As a statutory probate court, the court over which I preside has original and exclusive jurisdiction (together with Probate Court No. One) over this county's probate matters, guardianships, and mental health commitments. Eminent domain controversies are also heard here.

Some of the most emotional and life-altering decisions, therefore, are addressed in these first floor courtrooms. Because our work is so important, sensitive, and specialized, I would like us to share the educational material we feel is most significant. As an example, attorney Kelly Cross provided research about the syndrome associated with hoarders so I could understand the Adult Protective Services case we were hearing, or there may be research about the value of an oak tree in a condemnation case that would be helpful to the commissioners.

- Judge Tom Rickhoff