Equal Justice Works Elder Justice Program

The purpose of this award, funded under OVC's FY 2019 Transforming America’s Response to Elder Abuse: Mobilizing Attorneys for Older Victims of Abuse & Financial Exploitation Program is to increase legal services for older victims of crime (particularly in rural areas), educate attorneys and allied professionals about the needs of older victims, and increase coordinated multidisciplinary responses in supporting older victims of crime. Equal Justice Works proposes to create a legal fellowship program-the Elder Justice Program (EJP)-to help address the growing crisis of elder abuse and exploitation in our country. The EJP will mobilize 22 attorneys as fellows to work full-time for 2 years at legal services organizations throughout the country, with an emphasis on serving rural communities. EJP attorneys will provide free legal services, including victims' rights enforcement, to lower-income seniors and strengthen coordinated, multidisciplinary community responses to elder abuse. Direct legal services provided by EJP attorneys may include educating victims about their rights, addressing housing and/or employment instability, providing assistance in navigating the justice system, securing restitution and/or public benefits, and making referrals to other supportive services. EJP attorneys will provide training and resources to allied professionals, including law enforcement, prosecutors, social services, and medical providers, and others in positions to recognize and address elder abuse. CA/NCF