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One of the goals of the Center of Excellence is to guide the translation of lessons learned from experienced workers in the field into meaningful input for policy makers. Knowledge gained through a systematic and sound evaluation process will be used as a resource for those in a position to make policy decisions.
Federal Legislation
Federal laws affecting how elder mistreatment is handled:
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March 22, 2010-Press Release, Elder Justice Coalition
ELDER JUSTICE BILLS CLEAR CONGRESS, OBAMA TO SIGN INTO LAW
The House of Representatives last night gave final Congressional approval to the Elder Justice Act and the Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act as part of health care reform legislation. The bill now goes to the President for his signature which is expected later this week.
The main provisions of the Elder Justice Act include:
*Adult Protective Services (APS) funding. Provides $400 million ($100 million per year) in first-time dedicated funding for adult protective services. Provides $100 million ($25 million annually) for state demonstration grants to test a variety of methods to improve APS.
*Provides $32.5 million (over 4 years) in grants to support the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and an additional $40 million ($10 million annually) in training programs for national organizations and State long-term care ombudsman programs.
*Establishes an Elder Justice Coordinating Council to make recommendations to the Secretary of HHS on the coordination of activities of federal, state, local and private agencies and entities relating to elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. Recommendations contained in report are due in 2 years.
*The Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act creates a national program of criminal background checks for persons seeking employment in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
For more information on the Elder Justice Act, visit www.elderjusticecoalition.com.
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A citizens’ action group dedicated to Elder Abuse Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Collaboration
This page includes information and materials for legislative advocacy and things you can do in your community
Fact Sheet on Elder Abuse in America (MS Word) A sample of the kinds of information one might provide to policy-makers and the media.
www.centeronelderabuse.org/files/ElderAbuse_FactSheet_National.doc
Fact Sheet on Elder Abuse in California (MS Word) A sample of the kinds of information one might provide to policy-makers and the media.
http://www.centeronelderabuse.org/files/CA_BasicFactSheet_May2009.doc
CALIFORNIA ELDER JUSTICE WORKGROUP
The California Elder Justice Workgroup (CEJW) was launched in October 2009 to protect the rights, independence, security, and well being of vulnerable elders in California by improving the response of the legal, long-term care, and protective service systems.
http://cejw.pbworks.com/
Engaging Aging Services Providers in California Proposition 63—Mental Health Services Act
To promote involvement by aging services providers in the allocation of mental health funding, personnel and resources for older adults affected by elder abuse, neglect, and self-neglect, the Courtesy of the California Elder Justice Work Group produced this Fact Sheet.
Cover Letter from Lisa Nerenberg, Chair, EANI Advocacy Work Group (MS Word)
Mental Health Service Needs of Vulnerable Elders: A Fact Sheet (MS Word)
Please feel free to share it with anyone in your community or network who might be interested. Also, the members of the Work Group would like to hear about your efforts.
Please contact Lisa Nerenberg at lisa.nerenberg@sbcglobal.net
Additional Interest Groups
Protection & Advocacy Inc. serves Californians with a wide range of disabilities - including cognitive, mental, sensory, and physical disabilities - by guarding against abuse; advocating for basic rights; and ensuring accountability in health care, education, employment, housing, transportation, and within the juvenile and criminal justice systems.
www.pai-ca.org
Aging Services of California formerly the California Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, is the primary statewide association for nonprofit organizations providing health care, housing and community services to older adults. It is the mission of Aging Services of California to advance housing and services for older adults and to support and inspire its members through advocacy, education research and services enabling them to meet changing needs of their clients and communities.
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform has been fighting since 1983 for the rights of long-term care residents in California. CANHR has directed its resources toward the following long term care issues:
· Developing consumer information and making it affordable and accessible to consumers
· Aiding residents and their families in finding the legal services they need
· Providing consumers, attorneys and social workers with accurate information on Medi-Cal and long term care issues
· Tougher sanctions against homes that abuse or neglect residents
· Eliminating the inappropriate use of physical and chemical restraints
· Fighting for fair and equitable Medi-Cal rules to protect the poor and middle class from impoverishment and loss of their homes
· Determining root causes of poor care and developing legislation and policy to address them
www.canhr.org
WITNESS and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) have teamed up to launch a new campaign aimed at exposing the issue of elder abuse and urging the U.S. Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act.
The Elder Justice Now! campaign website offers a mechanism to Share Your Story by uploading a video or leaving a comment; displays videos portraying the experiences of advocates, victims and others affected by elder abuse; and includes a sign-up feature for their newsletter to help you take action and stay informed.
WITNESS http://hub.witness.org/
National Council on Aging http://ncoa.org/
Elder Justice Now! campaign http://elderjusticenow.org
For additional information, visit the Elder Abuse Forensic Center website at www.elderabuseforensiccenter.com.
© 2010 Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect. All Rights Reserved. Designed By .
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