Original Post | Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center
Date: June 30, 2021; 2:00–3:15 p.m. EST
Description: This Q&A session, presented by staff from the U.S. Department of Justice National Elder Fraud Hotline To Assist Victims of Financial Fraud, will provide examples of common types of financial fraud that occur among the older adult population, along with tips on how to identify a scam. Presenters will also provide ideas for caregivers to help identify when an older adult may be experiencing a fraudulent situation and how to address it with the older adult.
Note: This session will be recorded and posted on the Expert Q&A Past Sessions page when available.
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Denae Mention is a case management specialist with the National Elder Fraud Hotline. As a Case Management Specialist, Ms. Mention provides one-on-one assistance to elder callers to complete fraud documentation for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Trade Commission. Ms. Mention provides empathy, compassion, and referrals to the callers to help them regain control after being victims of fraud. Ms. Mention is also working part-time as a licensed mental health professional supervisee with Odyssey Community Services while obtaining the hours necessary to complete licensure requirements.
At Odyssey Community Services, Ms. Mention completes full bio-psycho-social mental health assessments for children and adults with mental illness to determine if they meet the criteria for mental health services. Ms. Mention conducts individual and family sessions utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to assist individuals and families with improving their quality of life. She has worked with diverse populations, including older persons, children and adults with mental illness, adults with intellectual developmental disabilities, adult male domestic violence offenders, and retired and active duty military members. Ms. Mention obtained a master’s degree in Social Work from Saint Leo University and is pursuing licensure to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker through the Virginia Board of Counseling.
Helen Supanich, M.D.R., serves as a National Elder Fraud Hotline case management shift supervisor providing leadership and guidance to case managers working with victims of financial fraud. Ms. Supanich previously worked as an advocate/case manager for elder abuse victims at the Holistic Elder Abuse Response Team, the first of its kind in Los Angeles County, California, and as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes Adult Protective Services and local law enforcement. She also worked as an ombudsman at the federally mandated Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. She advocated for residents at nursing and retirement homes and investigated complaints of abuse/neglect alleged to have occurred at the facilities in her region. Ms. Supanich received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University.
