Center in Action

Anna Thomas and board members Judith Kozlowski, Iris Freeman, and Robin Covington presented at the American Society on Aging’s annual conference in Atlanta and what a great experience it was!

Their session, “State and Tribal Elder Justice Coalitions: Sharing Histories, Forging Futures,” brought together a lively and engaged group of attendees from across the country, all working in state and Tribal elder justice.

One of the most exciting moments came after the session, when representatives from three states without coalitions stayed to chat with the panel about how to get started in their own communities. It’s inspiring to see this kind of energy and interest building!

A big thank-you to ASA for hosting such a vibrant and meaningful conference—we’re so glad to be part of the conversation.

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From the Field

Virginia Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

Since 1993, VCPEA has been a leader in promoting awareness, training, and advocacy on behalf of Virginia’s abused, neglected, or exploited adults. VCPEA seeks to:

• Promote a greater public understanding and awareness of the problems of elder abuse.
• Promote improvement of the quality and the availability of services to vulnerable adults.
• Encourage the development of services and programs to protect elders and adults with disabilities who are abused, neglected or exploited, or at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

VCPEA is a non-profit, volunteer coalition of individuals and agency representatives committed to improving the lives of older Virginians. Connect to VCPEA website below:

If you would like to spotlight your coalition, please submit your inquiry below.

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Help us grow our community by sharing this newsletter with coalition members, partners, and others committed to elder justice.

A Letter from Lifespan

As federal funding for the Center draws to an end, both of us want to take a moment to reflect on the tremendous achievements of the Center and to thank those who made them possible. We want to start by thanking the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), for providing the funding to launch the Center and the OVC staff who supported and guided us for the past three-plus years. Building the Center and refining its operation were in large part due to the invaluable contributions of our major partners in the grant: Ohio Coalition for Adult Protective Services, Minnesota Elder Justice Center, Center for Elder Abuse Solutions, and Jacque Gray, PhD (Native American consultant). We are very grateful for their unfailing support. Additionally, we want to thank our Advisory Committee that spent innumerable hours supporting the Center by providing guidance on center activities, direct support through technical assistance requests, education to coalition grantees, and countless other contributions to our work. The Center will continue its core mission as it transitions into a nonprofit organization, The National Center for State and Tribal Elder Justice Coalitions, Inc., and we look forward to sharing new opportunities for engagement in the future!

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From the Field

Wisconsin Elder Justice Coalition

The Wisconsin Elder Justice Coalition (WEJC) is dedicated to ensuring that every older adult in our state lives with dignity and security. By fostering collaboration and providing essential resources, the WEJC works to prevent abuse and enhance support systems for victims of elder exploitation.

Our Mission in Action – The WEJC focuses on four primary objectives to drive statewide change:

• Coordinated Support: Strengthening elder justice initiatives to improve abuse prevention and victim advocacy.
• Team Development: Providing technical support and recruitment for County, Regional, and Statewide Financial Abuse Specialist Teams (FASTs) and Elder Death Review Teams (EDRTs).
• Targeted Education: Developing and promoting elder justice training for key professional groups throughout Wisconsin.
• Strategic Collaboration: Working with key partners to educate local and state government leaders.

To support these goals, the WEJC has developed comprehensive, research-backed toolkits. These resources are designed not only for Wisconsin but as a standard-setting guide for any community looking to enhance its elder protection services:

• Financial Abuse Specialist Team Toolkit and Resources
• Elder Death Review Team Toolkit and Resources

The WEJC invites elder justice professionals nationwide to explore our MDT toolkits and educational resources. Visit our website to learn more about our ongoing initiatives.

If you would like to spotlight your coalition, please submit your inquiry below:

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Help us grow our community by sharing this newsletter with coalition members, partners, and others committed to elder justice.

Center in Action

State and Tribal coalitions bring together diverse partners across aging services, law enforcement, healthcare, legal systems, and beyond to align efforts in ways that no single agency can accomplish alone. Operating at the intersection of state systems, local implementation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, these coalitions navigate distinct policy landscapes, funding structures, and service networks. Addressing elder abuse and promoting justice requires responses that are tailored, coordinated, and grounded in those realities.

The Center plays a critical role in providing services and resources dedicated specifically to strengthening state and tribal elder justice coalitions. We provide targeted technical assistance, specialized training, and peer networking opportunities designed for the unique structure and needs of coalitions. At a time when policy and funding landscapes continue to evolve, the Center helps ensure coalitions remain connected, informed, and equipped to respond effectively within their states and communities.

Please follow the Center’s new social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay up-to-date with the latest updates, including webinars and resources.

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From the Field

A key feature of this newsletter will be “From the Field,” where coalitions can spotlight their work, lessons learned, and innovative approaches. By learning from one another, we aim to foster connection, collaboration, and continued growth across state and tribal elder justice efforts.

If you would like to spotlight your coalition, please submit your inquiry here:

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Opportunities & Resources

National Center on Elder Abuse – Sally Balch Hurme, Chair of National Guardianship Network, provided a written resource called Reviewing State Laws that Protect the Rights of Adults with a Guardian that compares state laws and Bill of Rights for Adults with a Guardian. As February 1st was conservatorship and guardianship awareness day, more resources can be found at NCEA.

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Help us grow our community by sharing this newsletter with coalition members, partners, and others committed to elder justice.

WELCOME

Dear Friends,

I’m delighted to welcome you to our new monthly newsletter. We created this space to keep you connected to our work, share timely updates, and highlight the people and partnerships that make our mission possible.

Each month, you can expect brief insights into what we’re learning, what’s ahead, and how our collective efforts are making a difference. We hope this newsletter helps strengthen our elder justice community and keeps you engaged in the work we’re building together.

Thank you for be part of this journey. We’re glad you’re here.

With gratitude, Anna Thomas Executive Director

Purpose & Promise

This newsletter exists to support and strengthen the elder justice community by sharing information that is timely, relevant, and grounded in real-world practice. Each month, we’ll provide updates from the Center, insights from across the elder justice field, and highlights of resources, events, and opportunities that support coalition work.

A key feature of this newsletter will be “From the Field,” where coalitions can spotlight their work, lessons learned, and innovative approaches. By learning from one another, we aim to foster connection, collaboration, and continued growth across state and tribal elder justice efforts.

If your coalition is interested in being the coalition in spotlight, please submit your coalition information below.

Opportunities & Resources

Please join the Center for a webinar on January 15, 2026 at 2 pm EST presented by Anna Thomas called Stolen Support: Uncovering Benefits Trafficking of Older Adults; Public benefits are meant to provide stability and dignity for those who need them. But for some older adults, their government funds become tools of exploitation. This session explores real-world examples of benefits trafficking, identifies red flags across sectors, and offers practical strategies for coalitions to strengthen cross-system response and accountability.

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USC Judith D. Tamkin International Symposium on Elder Abuse – Join us at the prestigious USC Judith D. Tamkin International Symposium on Elder Abuse on February 26-27, 2026, in Pasadena, California. The 2026 Symposium theme, “The Elder Justice Panorama: Promising Programs, Sustainable Progress, and the Path Forward,” will guide two days of dynamic conversations. Day 1 will highlight implementation strategies and financial exploitation, and Day 2 will focus on emerging research in licensed facilities

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Coalition Coffee Hour on January 30th at 1 pm EST – An informal, drop-in space to connect and talk elder justice. Bring your coffee, your questions, or just come to listen. Join for a few minutes or stay the whole time; whatever works for you. Open to coalition leaders and members, frontline professionals, community partners, and anyone interested in elder justice. No agenda. No pressure. Just conversation.

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Elder Justice Coalitions: A Resource Guide – This resource guide is a collection of resources, strategies, and tools for building, maintaining, and sustaining impactful State and Tribal Elder Justice Coalitions. Covering a variety of topics, this guide provides how-to information across the lifecycle of a coalition, from setting a strong foundation to developing strategies for responsive sustainability over time. You can find the guide here:

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Help us grow our community by sharing this newsletter with coalition members, partners, and others committed to elder justice.