Protecting the rights, independence, and safety of older people by exploring barriers, sharing information and ideas, and providing a voice from the field to policy makers
CEJC News
CEJC Initiative to Stop COVID Spread
Because of their low pay, many SNF staff finish an 8-hour shift at one facility and then work a second part-time shift at another facility. CEJC is asking the Administration to implement temporary emergency measures to enable aides to stay within a single facility with sufficient pay to make ends meet. The California Commission on Aging, Justice in Aging, the California Long Term Care Ombudsman Association, and others are joining CECJ in the effort. COVID-19 Updates
As we all struggle to respond to the new normal, we wanted to fill you in on news from our members and partners, including:
Health Justice in the Age of COVID-19
Lisa Nerenberg explains why the public's recent crash course in public health omits a key goal--health equity--and describes public health strategies for achieving it. These include Community Health Workers who are likely to know what people in their communities believe about the virus and are more trusted than the medical establishment. |
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News & Updates |
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Visit our March/April 2020 News & Updates. Highlights include:
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California News
Master Plan for Aging Halts for COVID-19
The California Department of Aging (CDA) has temporarily postponed MPA activities through March in light of COVID-19 developments. Recent activities of special significance for elder justice advocates include:
The California Department of Aging (CDA) has temporarily postponed MPA activities through March in light of COVID-19 developments. Recent activities of special significance for elder justice advocates include:
- The creation of an Equity Work Group to consider the perspectives and needs of groups that have been historically underrepresented. For more information, go to Equity Work Group.
- Webinar: Preventing & Responding to Abuse, Neglect, & Exploitation. For information on this March 4, 2020 webinar, go to Webinar Wednesdays.
- CEJC Recommendations for the MPA. See Action Alert: CEJC Recommendations for the MPA.
State News (Other States)
Vermont APS Launches Restorative Justice Pilot Project
Vermont’s Adult Protective Services (APS) unit has been awarded a three year, one-million-dollar grant by the Administration for Community Living for a Restorative Justice Program to serve victims and perpetrators of vulnerable adult maltreatment. Restorative justice is a philosophy that focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime and abuse by transforming people, relationships and communities. The pilot program will draw on victims’ strengths, cultural beliefs, goals, wishes and expectations to create plans to repair harm and make victims “whole” through harm reduction services, reparation, and restitution. Anticipated outcomes include decreased recidivism and re-victimization, and stakeholders’ satisfaction with outcomes.
Vermont’s Adult Protective Services (APS) unit has been awarded a three year, one-million-dollar grant by the Administration for Community Living for a Restorative Justice Program to serve victims and perpetrators of vulnerable adult maltreatment. Restorative justice is a philosophy that focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime and abuse by transforming people, relationships and communities. The pilot program will draw on victims’ strengths, cultural beliefs, goals, wishes and expectations to create plans to repair harm and make victims “whole” through harm reduction services, reparation, and restitution. Anticipated outcomes include decreased recidivism and re-victimization, and stakeholders’ satisfaction with outcomes.
National News
Bob Blancato Applauds and Updates NNSEJC
During a recent meeting of the National Network of State Elder Justice Coalition (NNSEJC), Elder Justice Coalition (EJC) Coordinator Bob Blancato called the group a “critical new advocacy voice for national issues” and offered suggestions for how members can partner with the EJC. Noting that three things motivate policy makers to act--surveys, stories, and studies—he cited as examples the MetLife study on financial abuse, which responded to repeated demands for abuse statistics, as well as victims and family members coming before key Congressional committees to tell their stories. Referring to the reauthorization of the Elder Justice Act (EJA), which will likely be called the Elder Justice Reform Act, he commended Congress on their bipartisan, bicameral cooperation on the Bill, which is expected to renew the 5 core elements of the original EJA...... read more here.
During a recent meeting of the National Network of State Elder Justice Coalition (NNSEJC), Elder Justice Coalition (EJC) Coordinator Bob Blancato called the group a “critical new advocacy voice for national issues” and offered suggestions for how members can partner with the EJC. Noting that three things motivate policy makers to act--surveys, stories, and studies—he cited as examples the MetLife study on financial abuse, which responded to repeated demands for abuse statistics, as well as victims and family members coming before key Congressional committees to tell their stories. Referring to the reauthorization of the Elder Justice Act (EJA), which will likely be called the Elder Justice Reform Act, he commended Congress on their bipartisan, bicameral cooperation on the Bill, which is expected to renew the 5 core elements of the original EJA...... read more here.
FTC Releases 2019 Sentinel Data
Consumer Sentinel is an online database operated by the Federal Trade Commission and available to law enforcement that collects consumer reports about fraud, identity theft, and other consumer protection topics. Each year it publishes annual reports on the data. The recently released report for 2019 shows that:
Consumer Sentinel is an online database operated by the Federal Trade Commission and available to law enforcement that collects consumer reports about fraud, identity theft, and other consumer protection topics. Each year it publishes annual reports on the data. The recently released report for 2019 shows that:
- There were 1.7 million fraud complaints;
- Losses were $1.9 billion, an increase of $293 million from the previous year;
- Most complaints were about imposters, including romance scams and scammers representing themselves as employees of the Internal Revenue Service or the Social Security Administration;
- 33% of those losing money were in their 20s; and
- Older consumers are victimized less often but lose more.
New Resources
Adult Protective Services (APS) and COVID-19
The APS Technical Assistance Resource Center (APS TARC) has released guidelines for ensuring the safety of APS clients and workers during the epidemic. In addition to the obvious—avoid home visits whenever possible and stay apprised of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for social distancing, APS workers are urged to inquire as to whether clients have access to computers, tablets, or smart phones; how they would like to be contacted; and if they would like APS workers to contact others for ongoing communication. Workers are further advised to ask questions about clients’ health and recent travel history, such as: has anyone in their household been ill with a fever, cough or sneezing; has anyone come into contact with others who are ill with these symptoms; and has anyone in the household recently traveled internationally? See APS and COVID-19.
The APS Technical Assistance Resource Center (APS TARC) has released guidelines for ensuring the safety of APS clients and workers during the epidemic. In addition to the obvious—avoid home visits whenever possible and stay apprised of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for social distancing, APS workers are urged to inquire as to whether clients have access to computers, tablets, or smart phones; how they would like to be contacted; and if they would like APS workers to contact others for ongoing communication. Workers are further advised to ask questions about clients’ health and recent travel history, such as: has anyone in their household been ill with a fever, cough or sneezing; has anyone come into contact with others who are ill with these symptoms; and has anyone in the household recently traveled internationally? See APS and COVID-19.
DOJ’s Elder Justice Network Locator Map
The Elder Justice Initiative of the Department of Justice recently launched the Locator Map to enable elder justice professionals to locate elder justice networks/teams across the nation. Networks interested in being included in the Locator can submit their network name, type, address, web address, and email to elder.justice@usdoj.gov.
The Elder Justice Initiative of the Department of Justice recently launched the Locator Map to enable elder justice professionals to locate elder justice networks/teams across the nation. Networks interested in being included in the Locator can submit their network name, type, address, web address, and email to elder.justice@usdoj.gov.
Research & Reports
The Things They Carried: Advancing Trauma Informed Responses to Elder Abuse
Produced by the NYC Elder Abuse Center and the Weinberg Center for Elder Justice, this report draws from the findings of a 2018 symposium that brought together experts to consider the impact of trauma on older victims of abuse. The report, which is available at The Things They Carried, contains a summary of the event and participants’ recommendations.
Produced by the NYC Elder Abuse Center and the Weinberg Center for Elder Justice, this report draws from the findings of a 2018 symposium that brought together experts to consider the impact of trauma on older victims of abuse. The report, which is available at The Things They Carried, contains a summary of the event and participants’ recommendations.
Visit our March/April 2020 News & Updates for more, including:
California News
State News (Other States)
National News
New Resources
Research & Reports
Innovations
California News
- SF Leaders Explore Elder Abuse in the LGBT Community
- Study Identifies Need for Free Legal Aid to Older Californians
- Sizing Up the Governor's Budget for Older Adults
State News (Other States)
- Report on State-by-State EJ Laws
National News
- Older Americans Act Reauthorization
- DOJ Efforts to End Elder Abuse
- VOCA Launches Elder Justice Fellowship Program
- Senate Aging Committee Report on Abuse Complaints
New Resources
- IACP Rolls Out Roll Call Training Videos
- New Tool for Displaying Financial Records
- Using Asset Forfeiture to Compensate Victims
- Helping APS Clients and Victims Facing Homelessness
Research & Reports
- Experts Map Future of Family Caregiving Research
- Supporting the Adult Protective Services Workforce
- Wallet Hub Ranks State Responses to Elder Abuse
Innovations
- San Diego PACE Partners to House Homeless Elders