MDHHS aiding local efforts to prevent elder and vulnerable adult abuse with nearly $1 million in grants

MDHHS aiding local efforts to prevent elder and vulnerable adult abuse with nearly $1 million in grants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 15, 2019                                               

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112   

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Aging & Adult Services Agency has awarded nearly $1 million in state dollars to 12 organizations to address elder abuse and increase reporting of the crime in communities across the state.

Funding was available to applicants through the agency’s Prevent Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse, Exploitation, Neglect Today (PREVNT) initiative, which seeks to implement local tools and programs to prevent, detect, and address abuse, neglect and exploitation against vulnerable and older adults.

Organizations that received grant funding are:

  • Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan in Grand Rapids.
  • Detroit Area Agency on Aging.
  • Disability Network Oakland & Macomb in Troy.
  • Great Lakes Legal, Inc. in Detroit.
  • Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University in Detroit.
  • Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department/Area Agency on Aging Region IIIA.
  • Michigan Advocacy Program in Ypsilanti.
  • Northeast Michigan Community Services Agency, Area Agency on Aging in Alpena.
  • Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan in Lansing.
  • Region 2 Area Agency on Aging in Jackson County.
  • The Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP) in Escanaba.
  • Tri-County Office on Aging in Lansing.

The Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging approved awards totaling $965,000. Grantees began their work on Oct. 1.

 “We estimate as many as 90,000 vulnerable Michiganders are victims of crime every year, with many of these crimes going unreported,” said Dr. Alexis Travis, MDHHS senior deputy director of Aging and Adult Services “Local programs are vital to preventing, detecting and addressing abuse and exploitation.”

Anyone suspecting elder abuse, neglect or exploitation can call the statewide hotline for abuse and  neglect at 855-444-3911. If someone is in immediate danger, residents should call 911 or local police.

Visit the Aging & Adult Services Agency website or Facebook page for more information.

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