Targeting Financial Fraud Against Senior Citizens in CT

Attorney General George Jepsen is encouraging members of the public and social service agencies that work with seniors to attend the annual Connecticut Triad conference to learn more about financial exploitation and ways to protect against such abuse. The conference will be Thursday, Nov. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Riverfront Community Center, 300 Welles Street in Glastonbury. In addition to the Attorney General, featured speakers include Hubert H. Humphrey III, of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans; Special Agent Anna Ferreira-Pandolfi of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General and Dr. Linda Eagle of the Global Bankers Institute.

Assistant Attorney General Phillip Rosario, head of the OAG’s Consumer Protection unit, will moderate a panel discussion by representatives of the Glastonbury Police Department, the state Department of Banking, the state Department of Social Services, People’s Bank Fraud Unit and the Probate Court.

The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and those attending are asked to reserve a space by e-mailing gjames@swcaa.org, or by calling 203-814-3620, on or before Friday, Oct. 26.

Triad is a national initiative of law enforcement agencies and community groups working together to reduce crimes against seniors. There are more than 60 local Triad chapters in Connecticut. Current members of the CT Triad Advisory Board include: The Office of the Attorney General, The Department of Social Services Aging Services Division, People’s United Bank, The CHOICES Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Project, AARP Connecticut and the Connecticut Area Agencies on Aging.

David B. Fein, U.S. Attorney in Connecticut, hosted the first of the six summits nationwide focusing on financial fraud earlier this month. He says between 2008 and 2011, FBI statistics show at 136 percent increase in investor fraud schemes. At an event in Stamford on October 1, speakers discussed an increase in scams involving reverse mortgages, the failure of victims to have done any due diligence on those they trust their money to, and a lack of skepticism when an "investment counselor" asks for funds to be paid directly to them.  Since last year, the U.S. Department of Justice says, it has charged, brought to trial, taken pleas or received sentences for more than 800 defendants in investor fraud cases. The amount taken from victims exceeds $20 billion.

Earlier this week, a Wells Fargo survey found that a growing number of middle-class Americans plan to postpone their golden years until they are in their 80's.  CNN reported that nearly one-third, or 30%, now plan to work until they are 80 or older -- up from 25% a year ago, according to the survey of 1,000 adults with income less than $100,000.   Overall, 70% of respondents plan to work during retirement, many of whom plan to do so because they simply won't be able to afford to retire full time.

Student Debt Levels High in CT, Young Unemployment Rate Drops Slightly

As college students across the nation graduate with record-high levels of loans, a recent report found that Connecticut ranks among the five states  with the highest loads of student debt. Roughly 66 percent of college students from the class of 2011 nationwide graduated with student loan debt, and the average loan debt per person amounted to $26,600, according to a report by The Project on Student Debt, an initiative of The Institute for College Access and Success.

The survey  asked universities to self-report debt figures from their graduating classes. In Connecticut, the 2011 average was $28,783, making it the fifth-highest debt state behind four other Northeastern states.  New Hampshire topped the list, with average student debt of $32,450.

The report also found that unemployment rate for young college graduates was 8.8 percent in 2011, a slight drop from 2010’s record high of 9.1 percent. Many more young graduates were underemployed, working just part-time or in lower paying jobs that did not require a college education. Still, college graduates are much better off than those without a college degree. The unemployment rate for young high school graduates was 19.1 percent in 2011, more than double the rate for those with bachelor’s degrees.

Connecticut-specific data, by institution, offers stats including the percentage of students graduating with debt in 2011, which includes universities where the percentage exceeded three-quarters of students.

CT Among States Analyzed for High School Social Studies Requirements

The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement (CIRCLE), with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, has analyzed the standards, course requirements, and mandatory assessments relevant to civic education in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.  Among the highlights:

• All states have standards for social studies, a broad category that includes civics/government along with other disciplines such as history and geography. The civics theme of power, authority, and government is included in all 51 states' social studies standards (including D.C.). The theme of civic ideals and practices is found in every state's standard except Missouri's.
• Thirty-nine states – including Connecticut - require at least one course in American government or civics.
• In the 2012-13 school year, 21 states – not including Connecticut - require a state-designed social studies test. This is a similar number as in 2006 but a dramatic reduction compared to 2001, when 34 states conducted regular assessments on social studies subjects. Two states, Maryland and Florida, have recently instituted new social studies assessments.

In Connecticut, required Social Studies courses include World History, U.S. History and Civics/Government.  Topics to be included within the curriculum, according to the CIRCLE data,  include Cultural Diversity; Time, Continuity & Change; People, Places and Environments; Production, Distribution and Consumption; Power, Authority & Governance; Global Connections; Civic Ideals and Practices, Real World Application, Individuals, Groups and Institutions; and Science, Technology and Society.  Service learning is not currently part of social studies standards, as it is in numerous other states.

The report also found that less than a dozen states require students to pass exams in social studies subjects.  Among those that do, social studies assessments have shifted from a combination of multiple-choice and performance tasks to almost exclusively multiple-choice exams since 2000.

•  Just nine states require students to pass a social studies test in order to graduate from high school: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Georgia's assessment will be phased out but Maryland and Florida will add high-stakes tests.

• Eight states have statewide, standardized tests specifically in civics/American government: California, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. Of those, Ohio and Virginia are the only ones that require students to pass that test to graduate from high school.

The CIRCLE study was the first in five years. The full analysis is summarized in a new fact sheet entitled State Civic Education Requirements , and a spreadsheet provides details on each state.

Robotics, Simulation Training Draws Medical Talent to Hartford

An unassuming building on Hudson Street in Hartford, in the midst of a construction zone and a short walk from Hartford Hospital, is what’s known as CESI - the Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation, located on the second floor of Hartford Hospital’s Education & Resource Center. Part of the hospital campus, it is among a select number of premier centers for comprehensive experiential learning and innovation nationwide, using simulation, robotics and other leading-edge training technologies – a hands-on magnet for  tomorrow’s technology that is increasingly becoming today’s reality in medicine.  Some suggest that CESI is– or soon will be – among the top five facilities in the country.  Already, CESI is a regional and national training destination. As the second largest surgical center in New England and the Northeast’s largest robotic surgery center, Hartford Hospital is widely viewed as a hub for medical training.

The vision of the rapidly growing facility is fundamental to the mission of Hartford Hospital, and parent-organization Hartford Healthcare:  to assist all providers in enhancing multidisciplinary team performance, the quality of patient care, and patient safety through a comprehensive range of educational programs using state-of-the-art simulation and cutting edge technologies. CESI features exact replicas of an operating room, intensive care unit, delivery room and trauma room. It has the same equipment as the hospital, including two robots and two robotic simulators designed especially for training purposes.

Seeing is believing, and a recent tour provided to representatives of Leadership Greater Hartford by CESI staff was a window into medical technology not often seen by those outside the field (or their patients).  If you believe that a picture is worth a thousand words, CESI does that one better, with a virtual tour available on-line, which allows individuals, organizations, and the general public a glimpse of the sophisticated technology available to teach surgeons and medical teams the robotic techniques now emerging.

During the two decades since its inception – with exponential growth in recent years – its predecessor facilities and CESI (so-named in 2010) has expanded from 900 square feet to 20,000 square, training thousands of medical personnel. Incredibly, the entire operation is run with a staff of six – from the medical and program directors down to the simulation technician. The dedication and pride is evident in every aspect of the facility’s operation, which has a schedule that is consistently busy – not only with surgeons, residents and nursing staff from Hartford Hospital, UConn and local acute care facilities, but from organizations local – such as the Connecticut Fire Academy – and worldwide, such as teams from France and Israel (during the past two weeks alone).

In fact, both the Navy and Army National Guard use the CESI facility for their training purposes. The Navy trains their independent duty coremen and physicians. The state-of-the-art facilities enable CESI staff to simulate not only medical emergencies, but the environment that teams such as those in a war zone would face in responding.  That level of training is invaluable,  and not readily available elsewhere.

CESI has been recognized as a Center of Excellence - one of only 20 centers designated nationwide. Nearly two dozen training courses are offered, ranging from labor & delivery to bio-terrorism, traumatic brain injury to advanced cardiac life support.  This summer, Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced that the state will provide a $10 million grant to support a 30,000 square foot expansion of CESI - part of the hospital’s larger $100 million capital improvement plan, designed to make the institution a leader in training the world’s healthcare professionals in the latest medical techniques.

CESI is comprised of three separate areas:

• Robotic and endovascular simulators
• Task trainers, ultrasound technology and Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS)
• Five simulated clinical environments each with its own control room: Labor & Delivery, Resuscitation, ICU, Trauma/ED, and Operating Room.

Internally, Hartford Hospital’s Departments of Anesthesia, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Ob-Gyn and Surgery are all using the facility to orient their first year residents and fellows to their clinical practices. The residents are able to experience hands-on training without the added pressure of performing new tasks on real people. It builds their confidence and allows them to learn, practice and repeat procedures in a controlled, non-rushed and educational environment.

It is also an ideal setting to begin to establish a culture of patient safety and open communication among an interdisciplinary medical team, whether from Hartford Hospital or elsewhere. Participants are able to train in a setting similar to an actual work environment to create an atmosphere of realism - mirroring multiple types of acute crises and patient care scenarios. Through simulation, the team can learn the physiologic components of crisis management, equipment knowledge, technical skills, and the leadership and teamwork needed to successfully deliver exceptional health care.

As Connecticut steps up its international presence in bioscience research and personalized medicine, facilities such as CESI have the potential to complement that effort, broadening the state’s impact on health care and medicine for decades to come.

Local Author Among Growing Trend of Alzheimer's Books for Children

It seems the number of children’s books devoted to explaining Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in a kid-friendly way is growing, not surprising since the number of people with Alzheimer’s continues to increase along with the number of older Americans. The New York Times recently reported that a trip to a local children’s book store stocked revealed at least half a dozen titles on the shelves.  A more formal study by three doctoral students at Washington University, analyzing the way storybooks describe the disease, found 33 of them published for 4- to 12-year-olds from 1988 to 2009.

Among the books is one authored by Linda Scacco, a West Hartford mother of three, clinical psychologist and an adjunct professor at the University of Hartford, who drew on her professional and personal experience.  Her book, "Always My Grandpa," was published in 2005.  The roots of the story come from the death of Scacco’s uncle from the disease in 1988.   Reviews of the book highlighted its “gentle narration and easy-to-understand explanations,” about Alzheimer's disease and “how it affects children, and families.”

While acknowledging the challenge of presenting explanations in a way that children can absorb, the Wash U graduate students found that overall, the books tend to “provide little information about the diagnostic process or treatments. Clinical presentations are diverse among characters with AD, and no single book presented a comprehensive depiction of the cognitive, behavioral, affective, and functional symptoms of the disease.”  They suggest that more be done to “ensure health literacy about AD in young children.”

The Times pointed out that the study indicated that generally absent were “symptoms like wandering, agitation sleep disturbances and depression. Only about a third of the books depicted anger or irritability, and very few showed functional limitations — the inability to drive, feed oneself, walk.”

New Book on Grasso Recalls Tough, Popular, Groundbreaking Leader

When Ella Tambussi Grasso ran for governor of Connecticut in 1974, she had not lost an election since she was first voted into the state's General Assembly in 1952. The people of Connecticut chose her as the nation's first woman to be elected governor in her own right--the capstone of a long and successful career dedicated to public service, effective government, and the democratic process. That is the theme for a new book written by Jon Purmont, emeritus professor of history at Southern Connecticut State University, and a former Grasso administration staffer.  Purmont will be John Dankosky’s guest on WNPR’s Where We Live, discussing the late Governor.

Grasso, of Windsor Locks, played key roles in Connecticut Democratic politics during the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. Those decades saw emerging consumer protection laws, greater government transparency, the Vietnam War, and the rise of feminism. During her tenure as governor, Grasso's leadership was tested in the face of fiscal problems, state layoffs, and budget shortfalls. The daughter of Italian immigrants, she endeared herself to her constituents during the great Blizzard of 1978, when she stayed at the State Armory around the clock to direct emergency operations and make frequent television appearances.  Before being elected Governor, she served as a member of Congress and Connecticut's Secretary of the State.

Purmont worked for Grasso for 22 months, from the beginning of her second term through her resignation in 1980, to her death in 1981.  More than 30 years later, the New Haven Register reports he has written what may be the first piece of scholarly work on the state’s first female governor, using interviews, documents and his own personal recollections.“Ella Grasso: Connecticut’s Pioneering Governor,” to be released later this year, is being published next month by Wesleyan University Press.

CT Girl Scouts Celebrate Centennial by Honoring Top 100

In honor of its 100th Anniversary, Girl Scouts of Connecticut honored 100 women, men, and organizations that embody the best of Girl Scout values at the 2012 Centennial Gala – Woman of Merit benefit dinner, held this month. The Centennial Gala had five categories of honorees:

• Distinguished Alumnae,
• Community Champion,
• Trail Blazers,
• Girls of Promise, and
• Women of Promise

Honorees included Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Cathy Malloy, Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, State Treasurer Denise Nappier, State Representative Michelle Cook (D-65); Jen Rizzotti, women’s basketball coach at the University of Hartford; Carolyn Kuan, Music Director, Hartford Symphony Orchestra; Rear Admiral Sandra L. Stosz, Superintendent, U.S. Coast Guard Academy; and Chief Lynn Malerba of the Mohegan Tribe.  The full list of honorees is on the Girl Scouts of Connecticut website.

“We were delighted to honor these 100 extraordinary people and organizations ,” said Teresa C. Younger, President of Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s Board of Directors. “This has been a special year for Girl Scouts of Connecticut, celebrating its 100th Anniversary, and there’s no better time to celebrate the achievements of many throughout the state who are the role models for and help build girls of courage, confidence, and character.”

The categories of the honorees are:

Trailblazers are individuals, families, organizations or groups whose pioneering efforts opened the door for girls and/or women to follow. They may have been the ‘‘first’’ to reach a particular career or professional milestone, have participated in an organization or activity in a way that changed how women were involved, or challenged themselves in some way that created new opportunities for girls and women. If an organization or group, it may have demonstrated innovative solutions to working with girls to develop leadership skills or create unique opportunities for girls.

Community Champions are individuals, families, organizations or groups who have made significant contributions as volunteers within their own community, or on a regional or national level. They have distinguished themselves as mentors and role models. They have a proven track record of helping others succeed and have achieved personal success through the skills and abilities they have developed in the people around them. Their lives and work exemplify the value of community service intrinsic to Girl Scouts. If an organization or group, it has demonstrated through its mission, programs and support the importance of developing girls to reach their full potential and have proven success.

Distinguished Alumnae are individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, exceptional service, and an extraordinary dedication to the Girl Scout Movement. They are alumnae whose leadership, initiative, and energy have strengthened Girl Scouting, made a significant contribution to the mission, and who exemplify the true spirit of Girl Scouts.

Women of Promise are alumnae, age 35 and under, who have distinguished themselves in their profession and/or community. They are women who demonstrate exceptional promise in terms of their ability to ascend and assume significant leadership roles.

Girls of Promise are current Girl Scouts ages 12-18 who distinguish themselves through their work in Girl Scouting and exemplify the values and principles of the Girl Scout Movement.

Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday; 60 CT Sites Ready

State and local law enforcement officials in more than 60 cities and towns across Connecticut will join with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) this Saturday, September 29, to give residents the opportunity to prevent drug abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Attorney General George Jepsen joined the DEA, the state Departments of Consumer Protection and of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and the Governor’s Prevention Partnership in detailing the state’s growing prescription drug problem and encouraging state residents to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by visiting a nearby collection site.  Connecticut’s  collection sites will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 90 percent of addictions start in the teenage years. Prescription medications are now the most commonly used drugs among 12 to 13 year olds. Two-thirds of teens who abuse pain relievers say they get them from their family members and friends

“Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States, and the problem is here, at our doorstep,” said Attorney General Jepsen. “Safe disposal of unused and unwanted prescription medications is an effective way of getting potentially dangerous substances out of medicine cabinets.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more Americans die from drug overdoses than in car crashes, and this increasing trend is driven by prescription painkiller overdoses.

“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an opportunity for us to increase awareness of the simple steps we all can take to slow the growth of prescription drug abuse, which is a 365-day a year problem, and to encourage everyone to use safe drug disposal practices every day,” Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said, noting that Connecticut has sites for unused prescription medication to be turned in throughout the year, beyond the nationwide event  this Saturday.

This past April, Americans turned in 552,161 pounds – 276 tons – of prescription drugs at over 5,600 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,300 state and local law enforcement partners. In its four previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in over 1.5 million pounds – nearly 775 tons – of medication.

“The Governor’s Prevention Partnership commends the leadership of the Attorney General and the DEA in bringing focus to the need for proper disposal of unused medicine in order to reduce the risk of youth drug abuse,” said Jill Spineti, president and CEO of the Governor’s Prevention Partnership. “We also remind parents and caregivers to have open communication with their children and to remain vigilant throughout the teenage years, so that misuse or abuse of medicine can be avoided.”

Eastern Connecticut's Increase in Hispanic Graduation Rate Is #1 Nationally

The Education Trust, a national education advocacy group, has ranked Eastern Connecticut State University as number one in a national study of the improvement of six-year graduation rates of Hispanic students among public universities and colleges.  The Education Trust study examined the graduation rates of 391 public and private colleges and universities in the United States, detailing the results for African American, Hispanic and white students, as well as the overall graduation rates of all students at those institutions. For the class of full-time, first-time students entering in fall 1998, the six-year graduation rate was barely 20 percent for Hispanic students at Eastern. However, for those Hispanic students entering in 2004, the proportion who had graduated by 2010 was 57.8 percent, the largest improvement among the 228 public institutions in The Education Trust study, "Advancing to completion: increasing degree attainment by improving graduation rates and closing gaps for Hispanic students."

José Cruz, vice president for higher education policy and practice at The Education Trust, said: "The lessons are clear.  What institutions of higher education do -- and don't do -- for students directly and powerfully impacts student success.  The schools we've identified provide vivid sign posts on the road to boosting graduation rates at colleges and universities across the country."

Eastern's 57.8 percent graduation rate for Hispanic students is actually above Eastern's overall graduation rate of 52.4 percent for the entire entering class of 2004. In addition, Eastern's improvement rate of 37.8 percent far exceeds the overall improvement rate among the study's 391 institutions of 3.5 percent, as well as the 3.9 percent improvement rate among the study's 228 public colleges and universities.

"While we know that there is much more work to be done on our campus in supporting Latino and other underrepresented students to achieve their educational goals and graduate from college, I am very pleased ," said Eastern President Elsa Núñez.  "This is a tribute to the work of our faculty and staff in providing support to students who face a myriad of issues in enrolling in and succeeding at college -- language barriers, cultural isolation, financial challenges and lack of family history as it relates to college attendance."

Núñez mentioned several grants from private and federal grant sources that have helped Eastern to identify and serve students who are academically at risk so that appropriate support systems can be activated early on. In particular, a Nellie Mae Education Foundation "Project Compass" grant and a U.S. Department of Education Title III grant have helped the University to create and improve its Student Success Model, which features additional advising staff; a revised, four-tiered advising system; faculty mentors; and a one-stop Academic Services Center that provides tutoring, math and writing instructional support for more than 10,000 student visitors a year.

"It is equally important for students of color to see familiar faces at the front of the classroom," said Núñez, indicating that Eastern has the largest percentage of minority faculty of any college or university in Connecticut.  Eastern also has two pre-enrollment programs each summer for students who may not meet the University's standard entrance requirements--the Summer Proof of Ability Program, which offers an opportunity to demonstrate academic potential, and the Summer Transition at Eastern Program/Contract Admissions Program, which provides intensive instruction in study skills and foundation academics to help low-income, first-generation and traditionally under-represented students transition from high school to college.

As The Education Trust report noted.  "... If America is to restore its status as first-in-the-world in degree attainment, colleges need to do more to ensure that all of their students -- especially Hispanic students -- graduate from college."

Deaf Child Bill of Rights is Focus at State Capitol

The focus at the State Capitol on Thursday, September 20 will be Connecticut’s deaf and hearing impaired children, with a particular spotlight on the Deaf Child Bill of Rights, approved by the General Assembly earlier this year and signed into law in June by Gov. Malloy. Represented at the Capitol on Thursday, with information for the public as well as legislators and staff, will be:

• Disabilities Network of Eastern CT Informational
• CREC Soundbridge Educational
• Relay Connecticut Telecommunication Services

Approval of the Deaf Child Bill of Rights made Connecticut, the birthplace of deaf education, the 12th state to have the Deaf Child Bill of Rights. The new law became effective on July 1, 2012. It was widely viewed as a historic day for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in Connecticut as well across the country, because the DCBR law creates an environment that will allow deaf and hard of hearing children “to become who they really are, develop, learn, expand and shine in all education settings,” officials said.

The new law states that “The individualized education program for any child identified as deaf or hearing impaired shall include a language and communication plan developed by the planning and placement team for such child.

Such language and communication plan shall address:

(1) The primary language or mode of communication chosen for the child,

(2) Opportunities for direct communication with peers and professional personnel in the primary language or mode of communication for the child,

(3) Educational options available to the child,

(4) The qualifications of teachers and other professional personnel administering such plan for the child, including such teacher's or personnel's proficiency in the primary language or mode of communication for the child,

(5) The accessibility of academic instruction, school services and extracurricular activities to the child,

(6) Assistive devices and services for the child, and

(7) Communication and physical environment accommodations for the child.