National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Attends White House Event for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

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Secretary Kathleen Sebelius speaks on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services on elder abuse and neglect at the 1st Annual White House Symposium.

NAELA fully supports the new Elder Abuse Prevention Intervention Program and looks forward to the implementation of the Elder Justice Act.

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) June 15, 2012

President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation to recognize June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), marking its seventh consecutive year. On this annual event, people across the world wear purple to show their support for ending elder abuse and neglect, and hold events designed to raise their communities’ awareness of elder abuse.

This week, the first ever White House Symposium on Elder Abuse was held in conjunction with WEAAD. National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) Board Member H. Amos Goodall, Jr., CELA, of State College, Pa., attended the forum on behalf of the organization. Federal agencies were also in attendance, including the Department of Justice, the Social Security Administration, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

“Elder abuse and neglect come in many forms and affect millions of Americans. I am honored to have had the privilege to attend the first annual White House Symposium to commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and interact with representatives from other national and federal organizations who are dedicated to ending elder abuse. NAELA fully supports the new Elder Abuse Prevention Intervention Program and looks forward to the implementation of the Elder Justice Act,” said Goodall.

During the White House event, several important announcements were made, including a new initiative, the Elder Abuse Prevention Intervention Program, intended to help to implement the Elder Justice Act by providing nearly $6 million in new grants to states and tribes to test interventions designed to prevent elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius also announced that the Coordinating Council created by the Elder Justice Act will be convened. Secretary Sebelius will chair the Council, and she will be joined by at least seven different federal agency officials who operate programs related to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

About NAELA
Members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and individuals of all ages with disabilities. Established in 1987, NAELA is a non-profit association that assists lawyers, bar organizations, and others. The mission of NAELA is to establish NAELA members as the premier providers of legal advocacy, guidance and services to enhance the lives of people with special needs and people as they age. NAELA currently has members across the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit NAELA.org.

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