Macomb County Office of Senior Services awarded a $750,000 Department of Justice grant

The Macomb County Office of Senior Services, led by its director Sheila Cote, was awarded a $750,000 grant from the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women ("OVW") Training and Services Grant to End Abuse in Later Life. The award to Macomb County is one of 12 nationally and the only one in the state of Michigan.

"This grant will enable us to provide focused support and justice for older adults in Macomb County who have experienced violence and abuse," said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. "By increasing training for our frontline responders and service providers through the Macomb Elder Justice Alliance, we aim to eliminate the barriers older survivors face and ensure they have access to legal support, safety and most of all, justice."

Cote and her team identified a critical need in Macomb County to take on the growing issue of protecting the community's seniors, so the office created the Macomb Elder Justice Alliance. This task force was formed in 2023 and is made up of community organizations, banks, criminal and civil courts, law enforcement, investigative agencies and senior service organizations. The Elder Justice Alliance's mission is to organize and amplify efforts of agencies and individuals to end elder abuse, exploitation and neglect through education, collaboration and advocacy for victims and those at risk.

"These resources will connect Macomb County with national experts on elder abuse to train all parts of the criminal justice system," stated Cote. "It will be transformational for the community and provide support services to older adults who have been abused or exploited and place their needs at the center of our community's response. We are so grateful to our committed partners in law enforcement and community resources who are the major partners and will be integral to the training and development of policies that will help to transform the current response to elder abuse."

"This opportunity was possible due to the strength of the collaboration of the Macomb County Elder Justice Alliance. The Elder Justice Alliance came together to evaluate and improve the community response to older adults who have been abused, exploited or neglected," said Sue Coats, OSS grant manager. "Elder abuse is a growing trend as the population ages. It is estimated that one in 10 older adults are victims of this crime. Only one in 24 incidents are actually reported and investigated." (cdc.gov)

For more information on the Elder Justice Alliance contact Sheila Cote or visit Macomb County Elder Justice Alliance | Macomb County (macombgov.org)

Sheila Cote
586-783-0959
[email protected]

Department:Senior Services

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