NEWS RELEASE
BOULDER COUNTY ELDER JUSTICE COALITION
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The Boulder County Elder Justice Coalition is pleased to announce it has received a federal grant through the Office on Violence Against Women, part of the U.S. Department of Justice, to combat elder abuse.
The grant focuses on education and training of local law enforcement, prosecutors, judges and professionals working with older adults and survivors of abuse. With an increasing older adult population, elder abuse has become a bigger focus for local law enforcement, criminal justice systems, and service providers.
Mandatory reporting of elder abuse became statute in Colorado in 2014, making the abuse, neglect and exploitation of those age 70 and older carry increased criminal penalties. In 2016, the law was expanded to include adults with intellectual and developmental delays.
The Elder Justice Coalition first received this grant in 2008 and provided extensive training to professionals working with older adults who were at-risk for elder abuse.
The grant in 2008 was an important step in raising awareness of this issue and education was critical in the implementation of the new laws around mandatory reporting of elder abuse. Boulder County’s older adult population has grown significantly and is projected to grow by 30,000 over the next 15 years. The training and education will be revitalized and expanded to capture first responders, medical personnel and more.
“The impact of the 2008 project has been invaluable and we look forward to the positive impact the second phase of elder abuse training will have on our community,” said Erica Corson, Elder Rights Program manager.
To learn more about elder abuse, please visit Boulder County Area Agency on Aging's website at www.bouldercounty.org/
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