Policy Development
CEJC works with advocates and policymakers across the state and country to identify barriers to elder justice and find solutions. We host forums, summits, and briefings, and develop comprehensive Blueprints.
Budget support
During the 2022-23 budget cycle CEJC co-sponsored a request for permanent state funding for Enhanced Adult Protective Services Training. The request was approved along with training funds for the Public Administrator, Public Conservator and Public Guardian (PAPGPC). CEJC also partnered with the PAPGPC on a separate budget request to fund the operations of the Public Guardian and Public Conservator, which was not approved.
Amicus Brief
CEJC Steering Committee member Sil Vossler filed an amicus brief on behalf of CEJC to support a petition for the California Supreme Court review of the appellate court opinion in Williams v. National Western Life Insurance Company. The appellate court had found that an insurance company was not liable when its agent fraudulently sold annuities to an elder, determining instead that the agent worked for the senior, not the company. This was despite the company having encouraged the fraudulent conduct, benefitted from it, and overlooked red flags. CEJC argued that the case set a dangerous precedent by giving insurance companies (and other financial product companies, like mortgage lenders) an incentive to ignore the wrongdoing of agents selling their products. The Supreme Court affirmed that the Company had committed elder financial abuse.
Policy development is guided by our Principles of Elder Justice.
Principles of Elder Justice
Living free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation is the right of all older Californians, including Black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBTQ) people, & residents of long-term care facilities.
Ensuring access to the justice system for older victims and persons with disabilities requires that they have affordable legal aid, user-friendly courts, and advocacy that reflects their lived experiences.
Services for victims and vulnerable people of all ages, their care partners and support networks, and the broader community must offer trauma-informed and restorative justice approaches and practices.
Perpetrators of predatory practices that target vulnerable adults must be held accountable, and laws that protect consumers of long-term services and supports, financial products, and housing must be enforced.
People with cognitive impairments need supported and surrogate decision-making options that offer maximum autonomy, protection, and accountability.
Compensation for direct care workers, family caregivers, and care partners must be designed to reflect the breadth and depth of caregiving and offer innovative incentive plans.
Ensuring access to the justice system for older victims and persons with disabilities requires that they have affordable legal aid, user-friendly courts, and advocacy that reflects their lived experiences.
Services for victims and vulnerable people of all ages, their care partners and support networks, and the broader community must offer trauma-informed and restorative justice approaches and practices.
Perpetrators of predatory practices that target vulnerable adults must be held accountable, and laws that protect consumers of long-term services and supports, financial products, and housing must be enforced.
People with cognitive impairments need supported and surrogate decision-making options that offer maximum autonomy, protection, and accountability.
Compensation for direct care workers, family caregivers, and care partners must be designed to reflect the breadth and depth of caregiving and offer innovative incentive plans.