The northridge hospital foundations center for healthier communities (CHC) will expand and enhance its services to better serve victims of elder abuse and financial exploitation

The Northridge Hospital Foundation received a $375,000 Project Grant from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office for Victims of Crime under the Crime Victim Assistance/Discretionary Grants program (CFDA 16.582) to expand and enhance services for victims of elder abuse and financial exploitation. The grant will allow the foundation's Center for Healthier Communities (CHC) to expand its existing Local Elder Abuse Prevention Enhanced Multidisciplinary Team (LEAP EMDT), which coordinates care, provides resources and referrals, and addresses victim needs using a comprehensive, victim-centered, and trauma-informed approach. The EMDT will be expanded to include additional professionals, such as substance abuse providers, victim service providers, sexual assault/domestic violence advocates, and geriatric health providers. The grant will also fund training for law enforcement, caregivers, and healthcare providers to enhance their ability to recognize and respond to elder abuse and related issues. The grant period runs from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2026.

As a sub-award, the Alzheimer's Association will receive funding to provide professional education and team training to the EMDT partners, participate in the EMDT, and offer caregiver workshops to enhance their knowledge and support, with the goal of improving their capacity and well-being.

The existing local elder abuse prevention enhanced multidisciplinary team (LEAP emdt) serves older adults in all of LOS angeles county after recent expansion of the geographic catchment area. Therefore, LEAP emdt will be renamed LEAP-LOS angeles program (LEAP-LA). The current emdt includes a forensic accountant, geriatric neuropsychologist, elder justice attorney, social isolation expert, law enforcement (LOS angeles police department), 211 LOS angeles, and local and county organizations serving seniors (adult protective services, alzheimers association california southland chapter (ALZ socal), wise & healthy aging, and onegeneration). This emdt team reviews cases, coordinates care for victims, provides resources and referrals, and addresses victims needs using a comprehensive coordinated, victim-centered, and trauma-informed approach. The emdt will be expanded by adding five individuals from diverse professions, including: substance abuse providers, victim service providers, sexual assault/domestic violence advocates, geriatric health providers, hospital discharge planner/social workers and/or a district attorney representative.