CEJC's Key Accomplishments in 2022
Launched the A*TEAM, the Nation’s First Elder Justice Team for Righting Systems’ Wrongs
With a 3-year grant from the Office for Victims of Crime (U.S. Department of Justice), CEJC created the nation’s first “A*Team,” designed to combat systemic barriers faced by local multidisciplinary teams (MDTs). A first initiative was to tackle hurdles that banks and investigators face in helping financial crime victims preserve or recover funds. The team has met with banking officials, reviewed state and federal privacy laws, and identified solutions used in other states. For more, see A*TEAM.
Created A Network of Elder Justice Multidsciplinary Teams (MDTs)
CEJC identified MDTs across the state and began hosting routine convenings to identify common interests and needs. To learn more about the MDT network, email carolsewell.cejc@gmail.com.
Started a National Dialogue on Restorative Approaches to Elder Justice
With support from the van Löben Sels/RembeRock Foundation, CEJC brought together experts, thought leaders, and stakeholders to explore restorative justice approaches to elder justice and abuse prevention. Restorative approaches focus on healing broken relationships, addressing harm, and fostering dialogue in families, organizations, and communities. Specifically, CEJC:
- Hosted a 4-webinar series that featured innovators from states, tribes, and national organizations to share their experiences in implementing restorative approaches to elder abuse. The events drew large and diverse audiences from across the country.
- Launched the Restorative Approaches to Elder Justice Toolkit, which includes articles, manuals, sample materials and other resources.
- Presented at national and international forums, including:
- Workshop on adopting restorative justice approaches to elder abuse, co-hosted by restorative justice expert Kay Pranis, at the 8th annual conference of the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice (NACRJ)
- Workshop for “Catalysing Change Week” event sponsored by Catalyst 2030, “a global movement of social change innovators”
- Published articles in Next Avenue and 3 journals of the American Bar Association, including Dispute Resolution Magazine, GPSolo eReport, and Bifocal.
Produced Comprehensive Plan for Elder Justice
With support from The Archstone Foundation, CEJC produced Reinforcing California’s Elder Justice Infrastructure: Committing to Equity and Inclusion. The document is the third in a series following From Blueprint to Benchmarks: Building a Framework for Elder Justice (B2B), which was produced in 2016, and Improving California’s Response to Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation: A Blueprint (produced in 2011). The document suggests hundreds of actions that community members, agencies, policy makers, educators, researchers, the media, and other stakeholders can take to protect the rights of older Californians. Drafts chapters were distributed to members of California’s Elder and Disability Justice Coordinating Council.
Championed Elder and Disability Justice Coordinating Council (EDJCC)
Creating a state elder justice coordinating council patterned after the national Elder Justice Coordinating Council, was among CEJC’s top priorities in CEJC’s 2016 plan, B2B. California’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA) provided an opportunity to realize that vision. CEJC advocated for a coordinating council during the MPA stakeholder input process, and the council was prioritized for implementation during the first stage. Members of CEJC’s staff and committees were selected to serve on the Elder and Disability Justice Coordinating Council (EDJCC) and have actively participated in meetings and on subcommittees.
Spreading the Word
CEJC keeps elder justice champions updated on new developments and resources through:
The National Elder Justice Advocates Academy, which alerts advocates around the country about innovations and developments through toolkits, webinars, presentations, social media, and the Viewpoints blog. Recent blog posts have included: A*TEAM Switches Into Fast-Track Mode to Stop Fraud, Revealing System Shortfalls and Opportunities by Carol Sewell, CEJC Policy Director and A*TEAM Coordinator Reacting to the Supreme Court’s Decision on Reproductive Rights by Lisa Nerenberg, CEJC Executive Director Addressing Grief in Elder Mediations by Dana L. Curtis, Attorney and Mediator Undue Influence and the Law by Steven Hassan, Author and Expert in Undue Influence
The National Elder Justice Advocates Academy, which alerts advocates around the country about innovations and developments through toolkits, webinars, presentations, social media, and the Viewpoints blog. Recent blog posts have included: A*TEAM Switches Into Fast-Track Mode to Stop Fraud, Revealing System Shortfalls and Opportunities by Carol Sewell, CEJC Policy Director and A*TEAM Coordinator Reacting to the Supreme Court’s Decision on Reproductive Rights by Lisa Nerenberg, CEJC Executive Director Addressing Grief in Elder Mediations by Dana L. Curtis, Attorney and Mediator Undue Influence and the Law by Steven Hassan, Author and Expert in Undue Influence
Beyond California
In 2018, CEJC became a founding member of the National Network of State Elder Justice Coalitions (NNSEJC). The organization, which currently has 15 members and meets quarterly, has been profiled during presentations at national forums and in webinars and journals. In 2022, NNSEJC began partnering with Lifespan of Rochester New York to launch the National Center for State and Tribal Elder Justice Coalitions.
Our Advocacy Work
CEJC worked with its partners to inform California policy makers about elder justice needs and assist them develop public policy. Our wins and losses include:
Win |
Support for Adult Protective Services (APS) and Public Guardians (PGs). During the 2022-23 budget cycle, CEJC co-sponsored a successful request for permanent funding for APS training. Funds for training public guardians were also included. |
Loss |
Support for PGs. CEJC partnered on a separate request to fund PG, which was not approved. These efforts will continue in 2023. |
Win |
Amicus Brief. CEJC Steering Committee member Sil Vossler filed an amicus brief on behalf of CEJC to support a petition to the California Supreme Court to review of an appellate court opinion in Williams v. National Western Life Insurance Company. The lower court had found that an insurance company was not liable when one of its agents fraudulently sold annuities to an elder, ruling that the agent worked for the senior and not the company. The decision set a dangerous precedent by incentivizing companies to ignore the wrongdoing of agents. The Supreme Court determined that the Company was liable. |
Here's what people are saying about our webinar series on Restorative Justice in Elder Abuse
Thank you for the introduction to the concept of restorative justice…This truly is pioneering work. I greatly applaud the pathway you are creating for all of us. Many, many thanks.
This is an outstanding series of webinars. I am so glad a colleague shared the information. Super informative and useful. Many thanks!
This learning has so impacted me that after I complete my special masters in Gerontology, Social Work and Family Studies this summer, I plan to take certification courses in Restorative Justice.
This was amazing! I know from personal experience why this work deeply matters. Thank you CEJC for these webinars and the culture change, one family at a time, that you are facilitating!
These materials put flesh on the bones of the concept of restorative justice.