2025 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Webinar

Financial Exploitation: Ethical and Legal Considerations for Older Adults

Join the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Helen Bader Office of Applied Gerontology for its annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) webinar. This year’s program explores the topic “Financial Exploitation: Ethical and Legal Considerations for Older Adults.”

The objective of this webinar is for participants to:

• increase their understanding of select high-impact examples of financial exploitation;
• increase their understanding of the legal mechanisms available to reduce financial exploitation;
• explore ethical dilemmas that occur between protecting an older adult from harm and respecting individual freedoms;
• explore how to maintain professional competence when faced with an ethical dilemma. Ethical decision-making tools and codes of conduct will be examined;
• learn how to recognize cognitive decline;
• explore tests used to determine cognitive functioning;
• learn best practices to reduce financial exploitation.

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Program Presenters

Andrew Steward, PhD, LCSW

Dr. Andrew Steward is an assistant professor of social work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Helen Bader School of Social Welfare. Currently, he is partnering with several community organizations to pilot a 10-session anti-ageism peer support program for adults 50+ years of age called Aging Together. This program aims to reduce internalized ageism and enhance self-efficacy, social connectedness, and cognitive function among older adults.

Dr. Steward is an LCSW with practice experience in hospice care and developing healthy aging programs. In particular, he was the lead developer of an intergenerational, lifelong learning initiative recognized by the International Council on Active Aging as one of the five most innovative wellness programs for older adults in North America in 2015. Dr. Steward also has a BA in music and has worked as a certified music practitioner, where he provided therapeutic flute music for clients in healthcare settings.

April DeValkenaere, SBWCP, CFCI, CCI

April DeValkenaere is CEO of Fortress Forensic Investigations, providing justice for vulnerable adults of financial exploitation through forensic accounting services. DeValkenaere is a Certified Financial Crimes Investigator (CFCI), State Bar of Wisconsin Certified Paralegal (SBWCP), and certified as a Crypto Currency Investigator (CCI).

DeValkenaere has been recognized as a WEAAD Warrior by the National Center on Elder Abuse for her efforts in teaching law enforcement how to investigate elder financial exploitation crimes. DeValkenaere consults for both private and public sector organizations, including civil and trust and estates attorneys representing victims, CPA firms, financial institutions, prosecution teams, law enforcement, and adult protective services.

Dinah LaCaze, MBA, APSW

Dinah LaCaze is the adult protective services prevention program coordinator Chapter 55 for the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Disabilities, Adult Protective Services (APS). She coordinates emergency protective placements for adults at risk/older adults. In addition to emergency protective placements, LaCaze provides education and training on various topics including dementia, abuse in later life, challenging behaviors and various topics that support the APS team.

LaCaze is a commissioner for domestic violence and sexual assault for the Office of Community Health and Wellness. LaCaze was previously a steering committee member for the State of Wisconsin Dementia Care System Redesign and co-chaired the dementia crisis work group. LaCaze has a master’s degree in business administration, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in social work. She holds an Advanced Practice Social Worker (APSW) credential and completed a certificate in trauma counseling.

Charlotte Cannon-Sain, MBA, MS

Charlotte Cannon-Sain is an accomplished professional with a proven track record of more than 25 years in community leadership and service. As the former executive director of COA Youth & Family Centers, its first female and first director of color, Cannon-Sain was pivotal in enhancing COA’s early childhood education program through the achievement of a five-star childcare center rating in 53206 and supporting expanding programs to meet the needs of families across the city.

Before her role at COA, Cannon-Sain held multiple positions in her almost ten years at the Center for Veterans Issues, whose mission provided reintegration, housing, and supportive services for low-income and homeless veterans.

Cannon-Sain has served in various leadership roles, spearheading initiatives aimed at serving and advocating for vulnerable populations. Because of her collaborative spirit, Cannon-Sain is known for her ability to bring together diverse stakeholders to achieve meaningful change. She continues to inspire others with her dedication to building resilient, more inclusive communities in Milwaukee and beyond.

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Presented by Bader Philanthropies, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare’s Office of Applied Gerontology, and the Milwaukee County Aging and Disabilities Services.