May 25, 2005

LANSING – In remarks before a senior group in Flint, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the creation of a Michigan Task Force on Elder Abuse.  The task force will offer recommendations on ways to ensure that Michigan’s senior citizens are protected from abuse, fraud, neglect, and financial exploitation.
 
“Each year, an estimated 80,000 Michigan citizens aged 60 or older are the victims of financial fraud and physical abuse,” Granholm said.  “This task force will help us develop a blueprint to ensure our most vulnerable citizens are protected.”
 
The task force, established by Executive Order 2005-11, which Granholm signed today, is charged with identifying resources and changes in law that will assist in the prevention of elder abuse.  Task force members will review current state efforts to prevent and prosecute elder abuse, identifying and prioritizing issues and challenges that must be addressed to prevent abuse, and provide recommendations to develop a plan to generate public awareness on the scope of elder abuse.
 
The task force will consist of 15 members who serve at the pleasure of the Governor and who represent key sectors of the community dedicated to protecting senior citizens.  The directors of the Office of Services to the Aging, the Department of Community Health, the Department of Human Services, the Department of State Police, and the commissioner of the Office of Financial and Insurance Services will serve as non-voting members of the task force.
 
A final report must be presented to the Governor by May 31, 2006.
 
Appointments to the task force include:

Susan Sevensma of Grand Rapids.  Sevensma will represent Michigan’s medical community at-large.

Kym Worthy of Wayne, Wayne County Prosecutor.  Worthy will represent prosecuting attorneys.

Kay Hoffman of Mason, chief of the Lansing Township Police Department.  Hoffman will represent chiefs of police.

Robert Pickel of Flushing, Genesee County Sherriff.  Pickell will represent county sheriffs.

Diana Jones of Detroit, vice-president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.  Jones will represent health care organizations.

Dorothy Jones of Ypsilanti, retired member of United Auto Workers.  Jones will represent older adults.

The Honorable David Newblatt of Genesee County, Genesee County Circuit Court Judge.  Judge Newblatt will represent judges.

Anita Salustro of East Lansing.  Salustro will represent aging advocacy groups statewide.

Jonathan Mead of Escanaba, president and CEO of the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress Services, Inc. Mead will represent area agencies on aging.

Karen Shrock of Southfield, executive director of Adult Well Being.  Shrock will represent persons interested in aging issues.

Priscilla Strakovits of Oakland County, certified public accountant.  Strakovits will represent persons interested in aging issues.

Alex Romero of Detroit, director of the Wayne County Senior Citizens Program.  Romero will represent persons interested in aging issues.

Roxanne Chang of Plymouth, attorney with the Beier Howlett Law Firm.  Chang will represent elder law attorneys.

Carol Morris of Westland, attorney with Morris and Morris P.C.  Morris will represent elder law attorneys.

Nancy Smit of Plainwell, social worker with the Huron-Potawatomi Tribe.  Smit will represent tribal communities.