Grant will train criminal justice professionals and organizations serving older adults and survivors of abuse

Boulder County, Colo. - The Boulder County Elder Justice Coalition is pleased to announce they have received a federal grant through the Office on Violence Against Women, part of the United States 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 over 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 bouldercounty.gov/families/seniors/services/elder-rights. For more information about the grants and elder rights programming, contact Erica Corson at ecorson@bouldercounty.org.

The Boulder County Elder Justice Coalition includes agencies that span the county including Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, the District Attorney’s Office, the City of Longmont Public Safety and Senior Services, Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, City of Boulder, and community-based victim service organizations including Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence, Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley, and Moving to End Sexual Assault.