Upper Cumberland Adult Abuse Coalition held 11th annual conference

Left to Right: Vickie Bilbrey, Oakpoint Behavioral Health; Leslie Cabe, APS; LaNelle Godsey, UCHRA & Hero Award recipient; Paul Greenwood, Retired Deputy District Attorney; Sue Greenwood; Melody Miller, Quality Home Health; Loni Hitchcock, UCAAAD/UCDD; Ashley Sirmans, Quality Home Health; and Anne Stamps, Volunteer Behavioral Health.

ALGOOD – The Upper Cumberland Adult Abuse Coalition held its 11thannual Upper Cumberland Vulnerable Adult Summit on Tuesday, April 30 at Trinity Assembly in Algood. The summit featured speakers including Retired Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood, U.S. Postal Inspector Phil Gentile, Stretching and Self Care specialist Sherri Brimm, Legal Aid attorney Matt Silvey, and representatives from several Upper Cumberland organizations who assist with vulnerable adults. 

Each year the Upper Cumberland Adult Abuse Coalition (UCAAC) recognizes an organization or individual that strives to prevent and combat adult abuse in the Upper Cumberland region. This year, the coalition recognized LaNelle Godsey with the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency as the Hero Award recipient. 

Godsey started her career at the Upper Cumberland Development District and served as the Tennessee Senior Medicare Patrol State Director along in addition to multiple other roles. In May 2018, Godsey shifted to Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency where she is currently employed. Through both agencies, Godsey has always been eager to help vulnerable adults. 

“As a recipient of this year’s Hero Award, we would like to formally recognize LaNelle for going above and beyond while working with vulnerable adults over the years,”stated Vickie Bilbrey, UCAAC facilitator. “She has a passion for helping the elderly and it shows through her integrity and work ethic.” 

The Upper Cumberland Adult Abuse Coalition exists to prevent abuse including neglect and exploitation to at-risk adults through networking, community resource development, awareness, advocacy and education and is organized and conducted as an outreach of the Area Agency on Aging and Disability. The summit was sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care, Volunteer Behavioral Health, Infinity Adult Day Services, Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, Senior Medicare Patrol, Quality Home Health, Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency and Volunteer Behavioral Health Care. 

The Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD), a division of the Upper Cumberland Development District, connects older adults and adults with disabilities in the 14-county Upper Cumberland region with services and resources to improve their quality of life. Find AAAD on the web at www.ucdd.organd at facebook.com/UCDDconnect.

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