Elder Justice Advocates: Improving Outcomes for Elder Abuse Victims in New York State's Criminal Justice System

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.

Under Purpose Area 2, the Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc. will develop a new Elder Justice Advocate role within the criminal justice system with their proposed project (Elder Justice Advocates: Improving Outcomes for Elder Abuse Victims in New York State's Criminal Justice System). At least 50 Elder Justice Advocates will be recruited from victim advocate and victim assistant staff members in District Attorney Offices, law enforcement units, and domestic violence programs in at least 10 regions or counties across New York State. Lifespan plans extensive training and support for this specialized cadre of advocates who will be prepared to work with individual elder abuse clients to address their victimization and help them navigate the complex and potentially daunting criminal justice system. Lifespan proposes to integrate Elder Justice Advocates into upstate New York's elder abuse community response system (e.g., receive referrals from Adult Protective Service (APS) units and membership on Enhanced Multidisciplinary Teams), in 19 upstate New York counties and to develop a plan with partners to sustain the project into future years and to use the products created in the pilot phase to replicate the model in the New York City area and through other areas of the nation. CA/NCF