Included with registration:

• Full Conference Access
• General Sessions
• Workshops
• Awards Banquet and Chillbillies Costume & Dance Party Access

Included with registration:

• Full Conference Access
• General Sessions
• Workshops
• Awards Banquet and Chillbillies Costume & Dance Party Access
• Continuing Education Credits

Included with registration:

Monday Workshops - Continuing education credits available

• Ethics Training 
• Train the trainer on elder abuse response: best practices - Elder abuse protocols & reporting
• Situational Awareness
• Conservatorships in Tennessee – Substitute Decision Making - “What Can We Do Better?” 

Included with registration:

• General Sessions
• Workshops
• Lunch
• Awards Banquet and Chillbillies Costume & Dance Party Access
• Continuing Education Credits

Included with registration:

• General Sessions
• Workshops
• Lunch

Included with registration:

• General Sessions
• Workshops
• Lunch
• Awards Banquet and Chillbillies Costume & Dance Party Access
• Continuing Education Credits

Included with registration:

• General Sessions
• Workshops
• Lunch
• Continuing Education Credits

Awards will be presented alongside dinner and networking with partners and sponsors.

Join us after the Awards Banquet for a night of fun and celebration!

Enjoy live music by The Chillbillies, don your best festive attire, and dance the night away!

Please indicate whether you plan to attend the Awards Banquet and Chillbillies Costume & Dance Party

Please select this option if you plan to bring a plus one to the Awards Banquet and Chillbillies Costume & Dance Party

With your sponsorship you are invited to attend ....

Join us after the Awards Banquet for a night of fun and celebration!

Enjoy live music by The Chillbillies, don your best festive attire, and dance the night away!

Awards will be presented alongside dinner and networking with partners and sponsors.

Platinum Benefits

Exclusive Category Partner

4 Full Conference Registrations

Exhibitor Space (Table/Table cloth/2 Chairs)

Faculty Reception & Conference Event

VIP Table: Front of Room

Name/Logo on ALL Advertising

Opportunity to Speak for 5 minutes during Conference Event, introduce a Faculty Member or Facilitate a Workshop

Name/Logo on ALL Advertising

3 Full Conference Registrations

Exhibitor Space

Name/Logo on ALL Advertising

2 Full Conference Registrations

Exhibitor Space (Table/Table cloth/2 Chairs)

Name/Logo on ALL Advertising

1 Full Conference Registration

Exhibitor Space (Table/Table cloth/2 Chairs)

Company Information & Promotional Material in Conference Bags only

For Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsorship levels, please let us know if you'd like a table.

Company Information & Promotional Material in Conference Bags only

Continuing Education credits for Medical Professionals and other First Responders

Continuing Education credits for Law Enforcement

Continuing Education credits for Social Workers

Continuing Education credits for Public Guardians

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Danny Fay, Special Agent III, MFCD/Chattanooga, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Situational Awareness is a course that is designed to teach participants the strategies and techniques for maintaining personal safety in various environments and circumstances.  Identifying possible threats and understanding physical cues will be discussed.  This course benefits anyone who is a public servant and works directly with the community in either a residential setting or within a facility. 

Danny Fay, Special Agent III, MFCD/Chattanooga, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Situational Awareness is a course that is designed to teach participants the strategies and techniques for maintaining personal safety in various environments and circumstances.  Identifying possible threats and understanding physical cues will be discussed.  This course benefits anyone who is a public servant and works directly with the community in either a residential setting or within a facility. 

Carolyn Levy Gilliam, Attorney, McDonald, Levy, and Taylor

Bill Reeves, Attorney, Wise & Reeves???

James Hatler, Investigator, 27^th District Attorney General’s Office

This will be a multidisciplinary ethics training covering the ethical do's and don'ts of guardianships, conservatorships, and fiduciary agents. As well as the ethical obligations of civil and criminal elder abuse laws, mandatory reporting, how to report, and how for the two disciplinaries to work together. 

Carolyn Levy Gilliam, Attorney, McDonald, Levy, and Taylor

Bill Reeves, Attorney, Wise & Reeves???

James Hatler, Investigator, 27^th District Attorney General’s Office

This will be a multidisciplinary ethics training covering the ethical do's and don'ts of guardianships, conservatorships, and fiduciary agents. As well as the ethical obligations of civil and criminal elder abuse laws, mandatory reporting, how to report, and how for the two disciplinaries to work together. 

Amy Willoughby Bryant, Esq, NCG, Director, Office of Conservatorship Management, Metropolitan Govt. of Nashville and Davidson County

Penny Johnson, Program Coordinator, Tennessee ARC, Substitute Decision Making

Susan Mee, J.D., Attorney and Mediator, Susan Mee Law

Conservatorships are a necessary decision making tool of last resort. This session will review the conservatorship process from start to termination. It will also detail what we know and do not know about the overall scope of conservatorships across the state. It will provide information on best practices for conservators fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities and how lawyers can protect their clients. This presentation will describe a model of managing conservatorships that has proven to be effective and detail how courts can develop programs of oversight of conservators by outlining how conservatorship management is done in Davidson County Tennessee.

Amy Willoughby Bryant, Esq, NCG, Director, Office of Conservatorship Management, Metropolitan Govt. of Nashville and Davidson County

Penny Johnson, Program Coordinator, Tennessee ARC, Substitute Decision Making

Susan Mee, J.D., Attorney and Mediator, Susan Mee Law

Understanding the least restrictive decision-making options and how to incorporate them is crucial to support greater independence and autonomy for a person with a disability. There is no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to decision-making support planning.  This session will provide legal and practical applications for evaluating for least restrictive decision-making supports, such as supported decision-making, powers of attorney, special needs trusts, etc. Attendees will learn how to incorporate best practices and tools for individuals with a disability, supporters, and professionals to support persons with a disability to retain as much decision-making autonomy as possible providing appropriate legal protections.

Train the trainer on elder abuse response: best practices

David S. Blevins, MA, FAEMS, CEM, CEMSI, NCEE, NR-P; Director EMS Education Programs, Roane State Community College; President, Tennessee Association of EMS Providers

This session will focus on the recognition of elder abuse and neglect in the prehospital environment. The unique ability for Emergency Medical Services providers to identify potential victims of elder abuse, neglect, or self-neglect will be discussed. Evidence based research findings in the area of elder abuse identification in the prehospital setting will be presented. Attendees will learn about types of abuse and will be able to identify the risk factors associated with abuse and neglect of elderly patients. This session will explore the concepts for supporting the victims of trauma, abuse, self-neglect, and domestic violence and provide best practices for supporting these victims.

Train the trainer on elder abuse response: best practices

Dr. Todd Heffern, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, NRP

This session will focus on the treatment considerations for vulnerable geriatric patients who have sustained abuse or neglect. The physiological differences between adults and geriatric patients will be discussed. Challenges associated with interviewing and assessing patients in the prehospital environment who may have cognitive impairments will be explored in conjunction with addressing the complex care needs of the vulnerable geriatric patient. Attendees will learn the best practices for treatment and care of these vulnerable patients. Attendees will recognize that elder mistreatment victims have significantly increased mortality and are at higher risk for adverse health outcomes including depression disability hospitalization, and placement in nursing homes.

Train the trainer on elder abuse response: best practices

John M. Dabbs, Office of Emergency Medical Services, Regional Consultant Representative for the NE district of TN, EMS Consultant and Investigator for the Tennessee Department of Health

This session will focus on the requirements mandated for EMS professionals to report suspected elder abuse and neglect. The laws regulating the reporting requirements reporting requirements will be discussed. Policies and procedures for addressing the management of elder abuse and neglect will be explored. The use and effectiveness of screening and assessments tools for the management of suspected geriatric abuse patients in the prehospital environment prehospital will be presented along with considerations for evidence preservation and documentation. The roles of the agencies and providers in working collaboratively with others to facilitate the care of these patients will be discussed.

Train the trainer on elder abuse response: best practices

John M. Dabbs, Office of Emergency Medical Services, Regional Consultant Representative for the NE district of TN, EMS Consultant and Investigator for the Tennessee Department of Health

David S. Blevins, MA, FAEMS, CEM, CEMSI, NCEE, NR-P; Director EMS Education Programs, Roane State Community College; President, Tennessee Association of EMS Providers

Dr. Todd Heffern, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, NRP

Dr. Corey Grayson, Ed.D., NRP, J.D. Candidate, ETAAAD Health Promotions Specialist, 2024 TNEJC Planning Committee

EMS providers frequently identify potential victims of elder abuse, neglect, and self-neglect, but there are significant challenges associated with the continued care for these patients. In this session, panelists will discuss the collaborative systemic approach warranted for the prevention and provision of care to these patients. Challenges and barriers to care will be discussed as well as the best practices for the future. Strategies to empower EMS providers, improve reporting, and address the systemic challenges of caring for the geriatric victims will be discussed.

This engaging and interactive session will highlight The Elder Abuse Guide for Law Enforcement (EAGLE), a comprehensive and field-ready online resource designed to support officers in the detection of elder mistreatment. The session will address elder mistreatment risk factors, interventions, and community connections; forensic interviewing, including better practice approaches to interviewing older adults; an EAGLE Website Tour; and Interactive exercises and elder abuse scenarios. 

This engaging and interactive session will highlight The Elder Abuse Guide for Law Enforcement (EAGLE), a comprehensive and field-ready online resource designed to support officers in the detection of elder mistreatment. The session will address elder mistreatment risk factors, interventions, and community connections; forensic interviewing, including better practice approaches to interviewing older adults; an EAGLE Website Tour; and Interactive exercises and elder abuse scenarios. 

Philip Gentile, US Postal Inspection Service

This session will equip attendees with crucial knowledge to recognize and combat various mail fraud schemes. The presentation will cover common scams, including romance, lottery, and work-from-home schemes, highlighting how criminals target and exploit older adults. Attendees will also learn about the latest methods used by scammers to drain retirement savings, along with practical prevention strategies to protect themselves and others from financial loss.

Vanessa Bryant, Vice President, First National Bank-Oneida, TN, Bank Secrecy Act Officer

Fraud/Scams affecting the elderly has increased exponentially over the past several years. This financial abuse affects everyone – rural and urban, impoverished and affluent. This workshop will give real life examples of fraud/scams seen in Tennessee communities and demonstrate how First National Bank has educated employees and their community to protect the elderly. 

Bill Reeves, Attorney, Wise and Reeves

Lynette Edwards, Attorney, ETHRA / ETAAAD Public Guardian

Amy Willoughby Bryant, Esq, NCG, Director, Office of Conservatorship Management, Metropolitan Govt. of Nashville and Davidson County

This workshop will take a step-by-step view of the conservatorship process and clarify common questions about conservatorship, including: Differences between conservatorship and power of attorney, the authority and responsibilities of a conservator, who can file, residency requirements for conservators, tailoring conservatorship for medical or financial needs, resources for new & existing conservators, & overview of the Public Guardianship for the Elderly Program. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the conservatorship process and the role of conservators.

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Faculty - TBD

Dr. Stephen Sutton, Chief Death Investigator, Medical Examiner’s Office; Public Information Officer, Crockett County, TN Sheriff’s Office; Asst. Director, Crockett County Ambulance Service

Stephen will be presenting on several forensic cases of interest which occurred in his jurisdiction. Join him on this forensic journey as we investigate complicated elder deaths and “see the unseen” together. 

Annette Mendola, PhD, HEC-C, Director of Clinical Ethics, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Medical Center??

?

Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a hospitalized elderly patient can generate a variety of ethical and practical concerns, including who should make medical decisions and where the patient should go after discharge from the hospital. This session will explore ways to navigate these concerns using case studies the ethics literature, and discussion. 

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In this course, students with be introduced to the transnational cybercrime organizations that target older adults. We will discuss the most common cybercrimes and online scams, to include the anatomy of an attack, investigative methods, and victim considerations. Students will also discuss cyber security recommendations that prevent or limit victimization.

Nick Christian, TBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC)

TBI Special Agent in Charge

Dr. Odacir Oliveira, Psychologist

James Hatler, Investigator, 27^th District Attorney General’s Office

As with any type of investigation, what can go wrong will go wrong. This presentation includes 1) basic concepts concerning vulnerable adult cases, 2) issues facing law enforcement when conducting these types of investigations, 3) what the District Attorney’s Office needs for successful prosecution, 4) the importance of communication between law enforcement and prosecutors throughout the investigative process. 

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Dr. Patricia Speck, Professor, Coordinator Advanced Forensic Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham – Invited

Mark Fetterhoff, Senior Advisor, AARP

Paul Greenwood, Greenwood LLC / AARP Board Member

This workshop will explore AARP's National Fraud Watch initiative, providing professionals with insights into emerging scams targeting older adults and effective prevention strategies. Attendees will gain knowledge on recognizing common fraud schemes and accessing resources to safeguard individuals from financial exploitation.

William D. Johnson, Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia

Adult Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Prosecutor

Heather Strickland, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Region Eleven Field Office

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Andrea Bridges, Assistant District Attorney, 8th Judicial District

Anthony Veillon, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

This 1-hour presentation will provide an overview of an active case in which multiple APS referrals were made, law enforcement made contact, and the referrals were closed by APS and law enforcement.  It is meant to serve as a cautionary tale in recognizing coercion and undue influence before it’s too late.

While we cannot disclose specific names or details due to the case's pending status, we will thoroughly explore the key elements and implications of the investigation. This workshop aims to highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing coercion within the legal and law enforcement systems, offering insights into how enhanced training and awareness can make a difference. Join us to gain valuable knowledge that can help prevent similar injustices in the future.

Honorable Lance Robertson, Director, Healthcare Guidehouse / Former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging and ACL Administrator

Paul Helton, TN Department of Human Services, Senior Associate Counsel,

Office of the General Counsel 

This informative workshop will focus on the laws that the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Adult Protective Services division, and other agencies use to protect vulnerable adults in Tennessee and what legal services DHS provides to these adults. We will actively discuss protective services, court actions, conservatorships, civil search warrants, subpoenas for financial records, and interagency cooperation as part of what APS does to protect vulnerable adults. 

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Bob Blancato, National Coordinator, Elder Justice Coalition

President - Matz, Blancato and Associates

Mac D. Heavener, III, Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of Tennessee

Kim Rush-King, Ed.S, LPC-MHSP Director of CIT, NAMI TN

There will be a discussion of what CIT is and how it will benefit caregivers who are taking care of the older population. This presentation will highlight strategies for this population. It will stress the importance of different ways to communicate and how congruency is the key to effective communication. 

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Do you plan to attend the Thursday morning General Session and conference wrap-up?

Paul Greenwood, Greenwood LLC, Former Deputy District Attorney General for San Diego County Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit Opening Remarks, Moderator

David Rausch, Director, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Greg Gonzales, Commissioner, TN Department of Financial Institutions                                                    

Amy Heaslet, Executive Vice President, TN Bankers Association

Kim Bohannon, Chief Innovation Officer, TN Credit Union League

The Tennessee General Assembly passed legislation earlier in 2024 to establish a new 911 hotline resource at the TBI to assist financial institutions in Tennessee to improve their ability to combat the growing problem of elder financial exploitation. The concept is somewhat straight forward, in that, when a staff member at a bank or credit union identifies a suspicious transaction, they can call the TBI in real time to discuss the situation and decide together a plan of action. Allow the transaction to continue or delay the transaction pending a review / investigation. Members of the TBI along with the Commission of the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions along with staff from the Tennessee Bankers Association and the Tennessee Credit Union League will share details on how this works in Tennessee. 

Dr. Odacir Oliveira, Psychologist

We have a prominent member of the medical community presenting with a focus on the impact of cognitive impairment on financial decision making. Seems the research clearly shows that even in the early stages of dementia some of the judgement related to making good decisions about money are diminished. Looking for signs that may help individuals recognize some of these early signs, could lead to engagement and therefore more protection for someone who is starting to see decline and mismanaging money. 

Dr. Patricia Speck, Professor, Coordinator Advanced Forensic Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham - Invited

Bob Blancato, National Coordinator, US Elder Justice Coalition

Bill Benson, Special Policy Advisor, National Adult Protective Service Association

Lance Robertson, Director, Healthcare, Guidehouse / Former US Assistant Secretary for Aging

Paul Greenwood, Greenwood LLC / Former Deputy District Attorney General for San Diego County’s Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit

Paul Greenwood, Greenwood LLC, Moderator

Lance Robertson, Principal, Guidehouse / Former US Assistant Secretary for Aging

David Rausch, Director, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation