Funding to Prevent Elder Abuse in Indian Country Comes in 2 Grants

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

Native Brief: WASHINGTON - For the first time funds have been allocated specifically dedicated to elder abuse prevention in Indian Country.

Native American Elder
Justice Initiative

Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee on Friday announced two new grants totaling $761,000 for the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA).

A $561,000 award for the NCEA Information Clearinghouse goes to the University of California, Irvine (UCI). The NCEA Clearinghouse will provide a national source of practical information to support federal, state and local efforts to prevent, identify, and effectively respond to elder abuse. The Clearinghouse will provide information and technical support, translate the latest research in the field, and disseminate best practices for state, local, and Tribal practitioners. The National Center on Elder Abuse will also provide technical assistance on developing effective prevention, intervention, and response efforts to address elder abuse.

"Elder abuse is wrong. To fight it effectively, we need to build and sustain research, prevention, law enforcement and services," said Assistant Secretary Greenlee. "These awards demonstrate this Administration's commitment to addressing the growing problem of elder abuse, including the unique problems Tribes face in preventing, identifying, and responding to elder abuse in Indian Country."

A $200,000 award for the NCEA Native American Elder Justice Initiative goes to the University of North Dakota. The NCEA Native American Elder Justice Initiative will begin to address the lack of culturally appropriate information and community education materials on elder abuse, neglect and exploitation in Indian Country.

Some of the undertakings of the initiative will include establishing a resource center on elder abuse to assist tribes in addressing elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; identifying and making available existing literature, resources, and tribal codes that address elder abuse; and developing and disseminating culturally appropriate and responsive resources for use by Tribes, care providers, law enforcement and other stakeholders.

posted August 27, 2011 6:25 am edt