Elder Justice Committee
The Elder Justice Committee meets monthly for professional training, collaboration, community outreach, and case review.
Meetings are typically held at 12:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Email Heather Magill, Elder Justice Specialist Coordinator, or call 336-641-2317 if you are interested in attending a meeting.
Contact Us
For elder abuse and neglect emergencies, contact 911. To report suspected abuse or neglect, contact the Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services Division of Aging and Adult Services at 336-641-3000. For additional information including support and resources available, contact the Guilford County Family Justice Center at 336-641-SAFE (7233).
In 2010, the Guilford Adult Interdisciplinary Network (GAIN) was established through the Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services Division of Social Services in an effort to bring together professionals from a variety of disciplines, including: social services, local law enforcement, mental health, emergency responders, long-term care ombudsmen, and several aging service providers in order to better meet the needs of aging and vulnerable adults. The primary mission of GAIN was to eliminate the silo thinking among various agencies and organizations that serve the elderly and vulnerable adults and find better ways for professionals to collaborate. The network met regularly for approximately two years.
In 2013, the Guilford County Family Justice Center partnership agreed that an emphasis on elder abuse within the developing center was an essential component to addressing community violence and abuse. The Guilford County Family Justice Center Elder Justice Committee was established in order to reignite and deepen partnerships among service providers and the greater community in an effort to best support aging adults. As a result of this collaboration, our goal is to reduce trauma to victims, provide timely provision of services and support, and to increase communication and coordination efforts in order to assist victims of elder abuse in obtaining safety and in the investigation and prosecution of elder abuse crimes.
The mission of the Guilford County Family Justice Center’s Elder Justice Committee is to be a diverse partnership committed to the shared responsibility of enhancing our community’s knowledge, resources, and response to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This mission is accomplished under the guiding mission and vision of the Guilford County Family Justice Center, which is to empower family violence victims to live free from violence and abuse and hold offenders accountable by providing easily accessible, coordinated, and comprehensive services in a single location.
Elder Justice has been a core component of our Family Justice Center's collaborative partnerships since our inception. Our successful multidisciplinary team has received state and national accolades for our innovative efforts to reduce violence, abuse, and exploitation risks to older and vulnerable adults.
Elder abuse as a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate actions, which causes harm, risk of harm, or distress to an individual 60 years or older and occurs:
- within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust; or
- when the targeted act is directed towards an elder person by virtue of age or disabilities.
Elder abuse can be intentional or unintentional and can take various forms, including but not limited to physical, psychological, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation.
The Guilford County Family Justice Center hosts monthly meetings of the Elder Justice Committee, comprised of professionals from various disciplines committed to ending elder abuse. Email Heather Magill, Elder Justice specialist coordinator, or call 336-641-2317 if you are interested in learning more.
For elder abuse and neglect emergencies, contact 911.
To report suspected abuse or neglect, contact the Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services Division of Aging and Adult Services at 336-641-3137. For after hours, please contact 1-800-378-5315. For additional information including support and resources available, contact the Guilford County Family Justice Center at 336-641-SAFE (7233).
Our Elder Justice partnership includes professionals representing over 40 businesses and agencies throughout Guilford County who specialize in home health, civil and criminal legal services, medical services, academic institutions, local non-profits, and county and city government. We are always open to new partnerships and connections.
Email Heather Magill, Elder Justice specialist coordinator, or call 336-641-2317 if you or your organization would like to become an Elder Justice Professional Partner.
The Elder Justice Committee is proud to recognize those in our community who impact older adults' lives. This annual award is presented to an individual or company that has demonstrated efforts to foster a safer community for aging adults.
Community members are invited to nominate an individual or business. If you have someone in mind, please take a moment to complete the nomination form. Email Heather Magill, Elder Justice specialist coordinator, or call 336-641-2317 if you have any questions.