Innovation Framework for National Referral System Effective Referrals at the Community level with person-enhanced technology

In an effort to propel national progress in identifying and remedying elder abuse and financial exploitation, OVC's Field-Generated Innovations in Addressing Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Project is funding eight innovative field-generated projects in three Purpose Areas: (1) the use of technology, (2) encouragement and enhancement of cross-collaboration in victim services, and (3) the offer of enhanced or new legal remedies for victims of elder abuse and financial exploitation.

With this award, Elder Law of Michigan, Inc. will implement a project under Purpose Area # 1. Specifically, the Elder Law of Michigan, Inc. will develop a framework for a national referral system based on a community-level referral model used in Michigan for victimized and vulnerable older adults along with research and evaluation to facilitate further study. Elder Law of Michigan Inc., will partner with the Eldercare Locator, the National Association of Senior Legal Hotlines, the Self Represented Litigants Network, Michigan's Area Agency on Aging 3B, and researchers from the University of Texas and Yale University. The project is anticipated to provide enhanced services to over 300 vulnerable adults in the Battle Creek Michigan area through the community network. Lessons learned will be documented and the software and an implementation plan will be shared so that a community-level network system can be replicated in communities throughout the country. CA/NCF