65 County Workers Get Pink Slips

In a bleak sign of the times, 65 workers in Ventura County’s Human Services Agency were given layoff notices Wednesday, the same day the grand jury issued a report saying seniors needed more government help fending off abuse and financial fraud.

Teresa Elenes, director of the adult service division, said she agreed that more outreach was necessary to let county seniors know they don’t have to put up with abuse, isolation and scams.

But with county government facing its biggest budget crisis in a decade, there is simply no money to get the word out, Elenes said.

On Wednesday, two of the workers in Elenes’ division were among those learning they would be laid off next month, she said.

“I’m having cuts in almost all of my programs -- adult protective service, veterans’ service, senior nutrition,” she said. “Our programs are all good. What are you going to cut when all the services are necessary?”

It’s a dilemma the Board of Supervisors will take on next month as it begins final budget hearings to attempt to close a $36-million shortfall.

Several supervisors have suggested they would try to save as many programs as possible.

But budget managers have said they expected about 300 layoffs by June 30 to help bring the county’s $1.2-billion budget into balance.

About 100 workers have already been laid off and notices to all affected employees will be distributed by Tuesday, County Executive Officer Johnny Johnston said.

Along with the job losses will be reductions in services upon which thousands of county residents depend.

In its report released Wednesday, the grand jury concluded that the county has good programs in place to combat the rising incidence of elder abuse in Ventura County.

County social workers, nurses and counselors are responsible for investigating allegations of physical and sexual abuse, abandonment and financial scams on seniors.

In serious cases, the district attorney’s office is brought in to prosecute.

Although the grand jury said the county was doing a satisfactory job, it recommended that more money be sought to keep up with a rising caseload.

Elenes said her division had 1,200 case referrals in 2003, but that the number was expected to rise to more than 1,300 by the end of this year.

Although there is no money available for a public campaign, the county has been helped by a statewide push by Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer to spread the message on elder abuse. More than 225,000 Californians become victims of elder abuse each year, out of an elderly population of 3.7 million.

Lockyer’s office has run television and print ads alerting the public that seniors increasingly are a target of predators.

In many cases, the abuse comes at the hands of family members, Elenes said.

Seniors need to be aware of laws that protect them and to remain vigilant about people trying to take advantage of them, she said.

The county has a hotline -- 654-3200 -- to report suspected elder abuse.

Information is also available on a state attorney general website at www.safestate.org.

Elenes said Wednesday was the most emotional day of her 33 years in county government.

People inside her office cried as workers were handed pink slips, she said.

Her concern is not only for her office colleagues, but for the many clients who will be affected, Elenes said.

“I’m hurt for the people who need us and for the staff,” she said, her voice breaking. “I’m hurt every which way.”