"A Collaborative Effort to Effectively Impact Hoarding"
The Orange County Task Force on Hoarding is a volunteer, advisory group that meets monthly to review existing residential hoarding situations that affect the health and safety of individuals in Orange County.
As such, the Task Force itself does not provide direct services for hoarding behavior but is comprised of representatives of agencies and programs that often are able to help. Organizations that encounter hoarding situations are encouraged to bring challenging cases to the monthly task force meeting for review (confidentiality rules apply) with the goal of identifying strategies, developing plans and locating resources that may help bring about a positive outcome for all involved. Individuals who encounter hoarding situations are encouraged to call their local code enforcement department, Adult or Child Protective Services as appropriate. County of Orange Adult Protective Services: 800 451-5155; Child Abuse Hotline: 800-207-4464
Persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions
This difficulty is due to strong urges to save items and/or distress associated with discarding
The symptoms result in the accumulation of a large number of possessions that fill up and clutter active living areas of the home or workplace to the extent that their intended use is no longer possible
The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning (including maintaining a safe environment for self and others)
Possible Signs of Hoarding Behavior
Blocked entries and exits (doors/windows)
Narrow or limited pathways in the home due to accumulation of materials
Large piles of combustible materials such as newspapers, magazines, used food containers and rubbish
Excessive collection and storage of items in the residence or yard that interferes with the intended use of that space
Foul odors emanating from the home
Excessive amount of companion animals
Vermin and/or insect infestations
Spoiled and/or rotting food
Accumulated human and/or animal waste
Non-working or inaccessible utilities, such as heat, running water, sewer, refrigeration
Participants in Orange County Task Force on Hoarding
Adult Protective Service Workers
Animal Control Officials
Senior Service Providers
Code Enforcement Officials
Health and Mental Health Professionals
Fire Department Representatives
Housing Representatives
Professional Organizers
Task Force Goals
Education
Resource Development
Implementation of Effective Interventions
Task Force Core Values
Respect the Individual
Hoarders are suffering from problems beyond their ability to cope or resolve without significant assistance
Causes of the behavior may be varied, multidimensional, and even multigenerational
Each individual requires a compassionate, individualized assessment and services
Hoarders deserve the same courtesy and respect that we ourselves expect
Respond as a Community
Hoarding affects both the individual and the community and thus requires community response
Service Providers should be aware that there are a variety of community responders and work as a team in addressing issues related to hoarding
Service Providers should be knowledgeable of the multiple factors contributing to hoarding behavior and methods to effect positive outcomes
Forced interventions should only occur as result of severe health, safety and/or legal issues
Health professionals should always be with client during or immediately following forced interventions
Task Force Meets Monthly
The Orange County Task Force meets from 9am to 10:30am the third Thursday of each month in 2011 (with the exception of December-no meeting) at:
Council on Aging-Orange County 1971 E. 4th Street, Suite 200 Santa Ana, CA 92705 - Map (714) 479-0107
Third Thursdays in 2012:
January 19, February 16, March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18, November 15 (Dark in December).
