Find Out How You Can Affect Change In The Lives Of Vulnerable Elders

Task Force for Criminal Justice Collaboration on Mental Health Issues Draft Recommendations Report - Public Comment Period

The Judicial Council of California - Administrative Office of the Courts  is now accepting public comment on their recently released recommendations on offenders with mental illness. Of special interest to elder abuse advocates are recommendations related to early interventions/prearrest diversion programs, case processing and conservatorships.  The public comment period is July 14 - September 17, 2010. To download the draft recommendations and submit comments, visit http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/invitationstocomment/

Elder Justice Act (EJA) Appropriations - Write Congress Today!

Now that the EJA has passed we must make sure that it's fully appropriated - Now is the Time to Act! Please consider sending letters to congress on behalf of your organization and also as a private citizen. Encourage your colleagues, friends and family to do the same. Thank you to NAPSA for pulling together the information and sample letter below - advocacy made easy!

Sample Letter Text - click here (MS Word Document)

House and Senate Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee members - click here

ELDER JUSTICE ACT: What It Could Mean for Each State - http://apsnetwork.org/About/APS%20EJA%20FTE.pdf 

STEP 1 - To send an e-mail to your congressman/woman in the House of Representatives, go to the web site: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

STEP 2 - Select your state and enter your zip code, then click "contact my representative."

The screen will then show your representative's phone number and mailing address. To send an e-mail, click on "Send a message to [insert representative's name here]"

From there you'll be given a web form that will send your e-mail. Be sure to input your correct e-mail (personal one if you cannot send from work) and home address if you want a response! Also, your home address will establish that you are their constituent.

STEP 3 - To send an e-mail to your Senator, go to the web site: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

STEP 4 - From there, choose your state or your Senator from the drop down box. Then click on the link next to "web form". This will take you right to a web form that will let you send an e-mail to the Senator.

AB 2493 Conservatee Photograph Bill - Signed Into Law!

Update - AB 2493 was signed into law on July 16, 2010 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. AB 2493 introduced by Assembly Member Jean Fuller, would require public guardians to possess a clear photograph of wards or conservatees and would further require a public guardian to share the photo with local law enforcement if the ward or conservatee is reported lost or missing. This measure is being sponsored by San Bernardino County as a means to provide local law enforcement with information on lost or missing conservatees.

Click here for more information on AB 2493

Support AB 2555 Ombudsman Funding Bill

AB 2555 introduced by Assembly Members Feuer, Nielsen, Jones, and Monning if passed will restore some funding to local long-term care ombudsman programs, by utilizing a portion of the penalties paid by nursing homes that provide substandard care.

AB 2555 includes the same language as the bill (AB392) that was passed last year.  It provides a $1.6 million dollar allocation to local ombudsman programs across the state for fiscal year 2010-2011. This does not cost the State General Fund and does not increase taxes. The next step is that AB 2555 will be heard and voted on by the Assembly within the next few days and your support is critical. Write a letter to your assembly member today!

Click here for a AB 2555 Fact Sheet 

Click here for a letter that you may adapt or sign and send, via fax or email

To find your assembly member click the link below and type in your address.

http://192.234.213.69/amapsearch/framepage.asp

Strengthening Health and Safety Protections for ALF Residents

The Assisted Living Consumer Alliance is soliciting input on state inspections of assisted living facilities.  Specifically, they are researching which type of inspections are more likely to strengthen health and safety protections for residents. In particular, they would appreciate hearing people’s experiences with state inspection protocols (i.e., type, frequency, length) vis-a-vis resident health and safety.  Please give your comments to Jody Spiegel at jspiegel@bettzedek.org or (323) 648-4724.  For more on the Assisted Living Consumer Alliance, see  http://www.assistedlivingconsumers.org

OVC Wish List for Training and Technical Assistance

The Office for Victims of Crime is assessing the training and technical assistance needs of victim services providers through its online National Training and Technical Assistance Needs Assessment Survey.  OVC provides elder abuse speakers and consultants to local, state, tribal, and national programs. Programs wanting assistance complete a relatively simple proposal, and services are provided free of charge to successful applicants. For a list of frequently requested topics, see: https://www.ovcttac.gov/pdfs/attachment.pdf

GAO Conducts Elder Abuse Study

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is conducting a study on elder abuse at the request of the US Senate Aging Committee. The initiative seeks to address the following issues: 1) What are the nature and extent of data collected on the incidence of the various types of elder abuse nationwide? 2) What challenges, if any, affect the ability of Adult Protective Services (APS) agencies to prevent, identify, investigate, and resolve various types of elder abuse? and 3) In what ways does the federal government currently support state and local efforts to prevent, identify, investigate, and resolve cases of elder abuse, and how well does this support address the challenges APS agencies face in this area?  As part of the initiative, GAO will conduct site visits in six states and a 50-state survey.

Feel free to send us your thoughts on this issue via email.

Older American's Act (OAA) Reauthorization Feedback: Still Time To Act

In 2011 Congress will consider reauthorization and amendments to the OAA effective in FY 2012. Even if you were not able to make it to a AOA listening forum, you may still provide feedback via the AoA website at http://www.aoa.gov/AoAroot/AoA_Programs/OAA/Reauthorization/Index.aspx

Users of this website are requested to please keep their comments appropriate, professional, and respectful to the topics and purposes of this site.  However, the comments, opinions, and views expressed on this website in comment areas are those of the individual(s) making the statement and are not endorsed by, nor do they represent the views of, those who have created and maintain this website.