FREE! Perpetrators in Disguise – Preventing Human Trafficking of Vulnerable Adults
Date/Time
 Click here to view official flyer |
Date: Tuesday, 2/11/25 Time: 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET Location: LIVE STREAM Cost: Free! Credits: 1 CE Credit |
Presenters
Presented by:
Anna Thomas, POST certified instructor and manager of the Division of Aging Services with the Georgia Department of Human Services
Anna Thomas is a POST certified instructor, the manager of the Division of Aging Services- Forensic Special Initiatives Unit and most recently a Forensic Specialist with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crimes Against the Elderly and Disabled Task Force (CADE). CADE’s mission is to protect elder and disabled adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elder and disabled adults, and to prosecute offenders.
As a graduate of the University of Georgia, Anna holds a degree in Criminal Justice and a degree in Psychology as well as a Master of Science in Gerontology from Brenau University. After interning with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Anna began her career as an Investigator for the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office. For 5 years she was assigned to a trial team that mainly handled crimes against persons.
In 2008, Anna became a Victim Advocate at the Hall County District Attorney’s Office where she served on the Child Fatality Review Board and the Hall County Domestic Violence Task Force. For 8 years, Anna assisted victims of crime with service referral and guidance through court and the criminal justice system, and aided prosecutors at trial.
In 2016, Anna transitioned to high-level victim advocacy focused on older adults and adults with disabilities. Currently, her work at the Division of Aging Services and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation centers on training primary and secondary responders how to recognize and respond to elder and disabled adult abuse, researching gaps in current victim services, developing new laws to protect vulnerable adults, and public outreach. Her most recent project is the launch of state-wide Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs).
Anna serves on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s Human Trafficking Task Force, the National Network of State Elder Justice Coalitions Steering Committee and is an instructor for the Georgia Victim Advocate Academy.
Shawonda Wright, BSW, CACTS, Forensic Liaison Specialist with the Georgia Department of Human Services
Shawonda Wright has over 20 years’ experience in the Social Work profession serving at-risk children and adults. She is always eager to serve others and works collaboratively to achieve goals. Specialized skills are in Protective Services, Public Health, Mental Health, Military/Veterans, and Substance Abuse areas. Skilled in leading and training social service professionals. Strong Advocate for client needs with a consistent record of creating strong and positive rapport with clients, team members, and community partners. She is currently working in collaboration with the GBI, which has formed the Crimes Against Disabled Adults and Elder Task Force to identify and address system gaps and develop process improvements to protect Georgia’s at-risk adults. In addition, Mrs. Wright is the lead project developer and instructor for FACT (Facility At-Risk Adult Crimes Training). FACT is a training curriculum designed for hospital staff (discharge planners, nurses, social workers, case managers, home health providers, etc.). This training is to aid them in working collaboratively with Adult Protective Services and in how to best serve their at-risk adult patients.
Perpetrators in Disguise – Preventing Human Trafficking of Vulnerable Adults
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET: Registration / Networking
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET: Presentation – See event flyer for detailed agenda
1:00 p.m. ET: Closing/Evaluation
COST:
COMPLIMENTARY EVENT
Continuing Education Credits
Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour
Attendance or applied credit certificate available for other credentials.
Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credits.
Overview:
Every day, hospital patients are unknowingly discharged into harmful and unsafe environments. Unlicensed personal care homes, boarding houses, and transitional housing facilities target discharge planners, care teams, and social workers, positioning themselves as convenient options for patients who are difficult to place. However, once patients are placed in these facilities, they often face neglect, exploitation, and even trafficking. In this presentation, we will examine how vulnerable adults are trafficked in these settings and why these homes continue to operate unnoticed. We will also provide best practices and actionable steps to help you safeguard your patients.
By Attending Our Workshop, You Will Be Able To:
- Describe the tactics used by unlicensed personal care homes to exploit vulnerable adults, including methods used to operate without detection.
- Explain the role of healthcare-based social workers in identifying and preventing human trafficking among vulnerable adult populations.
- Discover the importance of collaboration with Adult Protective Services (APS) in identifying, reporting, and addressing instances of vulnerable adult abuse and trafficking.
- Identify the appropriate procedures, channels, and contacts for reporting suspected abuse or trafficking of vulnerable adults.