The training and services to end abuse in later life program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. 12421

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women has awarded a $400,000 Cooperative Agreement to Alexandra House Inc., a domestic shelter and non-profit organization, under the Enhanced Training and Services to End Violence and Abuse of Women Later in Life Program (CFDA 16.528). This 36-month award will enable Alexandra House and its project partners, including local law enforcement agencies, government social services, prosecutors' offices, courts, forensic nurse programs, and victim service organizations, to continue a collaborative community response to address abuse against older individuals in the Anoka County, Minnesota area. Key activities include providing training to enhance the ability of police, prosecutors, and the judiciary to recognize, investigate, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, domestic violence, and sexual assault. The funding will also support the expansion of direct services for older victims and cross-training efforts across government agencies and nonprofit organizations to improve outcomes for this population.

The program's purpose is to increase and strengthen training for police, prosecutors, and the judiciary in recognizing, investigating, and prosecuting instances of abuse, neglect, exploitation, domestic violence, and sexual assault against older individuals; provide or enhance services for older victims; create or support multidisciplinary collaborative community responses to older victims; and conduct cross-training for victim service organizations, governmental agencies, courts, law enforcement, and nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations serving older victims. With this continuation funding, alexandra house will continue the collaboration started during its initial award with its project partners to address abuse in later life in their community. Alexandra house and its partners, anoka county attorneys office, anoka county community social services - adult protection services, anoka county sheriffs office, anoka county community corrections, allina forensic nurse examiner program, blaine police department, coon rapids police department, fridley police department, lino lakes police department, ramsey police department, columbia heights police department, and the coon rapids city attorneys office, will continue to support a multidisciplinary collaborative community response to abuse in later life. They will conduct a critical assessment of the initial projects outreach efforts and service delivery and expand upon existing victim services to improve outcomes for older victims. The timing for performance of this continuation award is 36 months.