Thank you for your interest in Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force (EATF) – an alliance representing more than 55 different organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors – all working together to reduce barriers facing our aging population.
Please take a few minutes to catch up on what the Task Force has been up to since our last issue in October 2024.
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The Elder Abuse Task Force had two big successes in the 2023-2024 law-making session. The Uniform Power of Attorney Act (2023 PA 187) was one success. The other was the Uniform Securities Act (2023 PA 306) updates. Both Acts went into effect in 2024.
The Task Force was disappointed that lawmakers did not pass the Guardianship Reform Package (HB 4909-4912 and 5047). And that they did not pass the Vulnerable Adult Protection Package (SB 922-925). The Task Force remains committed to passing laws to improve protections of Michigan's older adults.
In 2024, the STOP (Subcommittee for Training Officers and Prosecutors) team offered free, all-day training sessions. These sessions taught professionals how to examine financial abuse of vulnerable adults. They also focused on how to seek justice in those cases.
The trainings were held in Gaylord, Lansing, Benton Harbor, and Midland. More than 140 professionals took part. Trainees included police officers, adult care workers, and prosecutors.
The Task Force is already planning more training events for 2025.
The Michigan Guardianship Diversion Project (MGDP) is a pilot project of the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative. It is entering its second and final year of seeking alternatives to guardianship. The program has been rolled out in Bay, Genesee, Grand Traverse, and Muskegon counties. Project staff help clients find less restrictive ways to meet their needs than having the court appoint a guardian.
Referrals have been received from each of the four counties participating in the project. MGDP has seen the biggest change in Bay County. Guardianship and conservatorship cases have been reduced by approximately 42%. This reduction is due to the tremendous support of the Bay County Probate Court and local service providers like nursing homes and attorneys.
MGDP continues to review what works and what challenges exist. Staff remain confident that guardianship diversion efforts can help both individuals and the courts. MGDP looks forward to helping individuals in all four counties find alternatives to guardianship.
More detailed information about this exciting project can viewed by following this link. The link also includes a snapshot of one of the project’s many success stories.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Adult Protective Services (APS) released its Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign on January 13, 2025. The campaign’s goal is to protect Michigan’s most vulnerable adults. It will do this by making the public aware of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
The PSA campaign includes TV commercials that will be shown on major networks from January 20 to February 9, 2025. They will also run on streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, Sling, Crackle, Tubi, and Xumo. They will run on these services from January 20 to March 31, 2025.
Social media ads will appear on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. The ads will run from January 13 to March 31, 2025. Viewers will not be able to skip these 15-second ads.
An 80-second version of the PSA will be shown in over 200 medical offices, clinics, and pharmacies. The longer PSA will run from January 13 to March 31, 2025.
The campaign also includes 12 billboards across Michigan. MDHHS will display the billboards from February 10 to April 13, 2025. Five billboards will be in Wayne County; two billboards will be in the Flint/Saginaw area; two billboards will be in Grand Rapids; two billboards will be in Lansing; and one billboard will be placed in Gaylord. All billboards except the one in Gaylord will be digital.
If you suspect abuse, report it by calling 1-855-444-3911. This number is available 24/7, all year round.
The Uniform Power of Attorney Act became law on July 1, 2024. This law creates standards for creating and using Power of Attorney forms. It also provides civil and criminal penalties to those who misuse their authority under a Power of Attorney. With this law, Michigan joins 31 other states with similar standards.
Attorney General Dana Nessel shared a public service announcement (PSA) to help educate the public about the new law. The PSA explains how the law will:
The PSA has already been viewed more than 40,000 times. If you haven’t seen the video, click here to watch.
