News
28 July 2026, Michigan Elder Justice Conference
This year our team was able to attend the 2nd annual Michigan Elder Justice Conference. This was a unique opportunity to lean, network, and collaborate with professionals across the full spectrum of fields including Adult Protective Services, law enforcement, senior centers, medical health professionals, financial advisers, prosecutors, and many others. The focus was on keeping older adults safe from abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.
Session topics included multi-disciplinary teams, investigation and prosecution of vulnerable adult cases, keeping seniors safe, working with the older/vulnerable adult community, coordinating with partners, protocols and best practices.
Macomb County Elder Justice Alliance helps romance scam victim, avoid eviction - WXYZ
14 April 2026, Substance abuse and seniors
The main topic of the April meeting was substance abuse and how it relates to seniors. We had a presentation by Face Addiction Now (FAN). Additionally, Macomb County Community Mental Health made a presentation and highlighted available resources.
There was an update on Coordinated Community Response Team and on upcoming Law Enforcement training opportunities through the Abuse in Later Life grant.
13 January 2026, Crypto Currency, Long Term Care Facility Inspections, Medicare Fraud, and more
The first meeting of 2026 did not disappoint with participant turn out and information that we received to improve care for older adults experiencing abuse. Captain Collen Hopper from Sterling Heights Police Department provided updated policy changes they were able to implement in Sterling Heights to prevent crypto currency scams through crypto ATMs.
We also welcomed Chief Investigator Drew Macon and Assistant Attorney General Brendan Maturen to present on the Sentinel Project, a statewide initiative that focuses on vulnerable adults living in long-term care settings.
Coordinated Community Response Team
What are CCR teams?
Coordinated Community Response Teams focus on improving policies, procedures, and practices across agencies so older adults experiencing abuse receive a seamless, supportive, and effective response. CCRs bring partners together to identify service gaps, strengthen communication, and create a unified approach to meeting the needs of older survivors.
Why this work matters:
• More options for survivors through shared knowledge of available services—and clearer recognition of gaps
• Better use of resources, reducing duplicated services and improving coordination
• Increased safety for victims and greater accountability for offenders
Collaboration at its core
Presentation by the Alzheimer's Association and discussing crypto scams
The full Elder Justice Alliance met on the morning of October 18th to hear from Maddy Goulet from the Alzheimer's Association. Maddy presented a lot of useful information, emerging trends, and discussed what they do.
Additionally, the EJA discussed improvements to the case submission process and the emergence of crypto scams targeting seniors.
The first Coordinated Community Response (CCR) meeting was held on November 18, 2025
The CCR brought together leadership from across Macomb County, including first responders, criminal justice professionals, victim services, senior services, and other public and community service organizations.
The CCR’s mission is to create a victim-centered, coordinated response to victims of abuse in later life. This collaborative effort focuses on reviewing and improving policies and community response procedures to better support and protect older adult victims of abuse.
Macomb County’s Elder Justice Alliance Coordinated Community Response kick-off meeting
On October 14th, we hosted Macomb County’s Elder Justice Alliance Coordinated Community Response Kick-off meeting at Macomb Intermediate School District. We got together with partners and stakeholders to start collaborative efforts to deliver a more integrated approach to combat elder abuse. We were delighted to have representatives from health care, long term care, law enforcement, the judicial system, adult protective services, aging networks, mental health, domestic violence and sexual assault, community advocates and more. It was an incredible meeting – here’s hoping it fuels increased awareness and action on the important issue of elder abuse.
Crush of retirees a crisis in Michigan. State unprepared to meet their needs
Reporting on the rapidly growing senior care needs that are outpacing capacity, and challenges from those working in the system and those who are receiving support through it across the State. This included insights shared by Senior Services own Jennifer Wilczek.
16 June 2025, needs assessment results, DHS presentation, and more
Over 30 experts from diverse fields including law enforcement, crisis intervention, elder care, recreation, housing, and more met to share knowledge and coordinate work to improve the lives of Macomb County seniors. We also had County Commissioner Don VanSyckel as our guest. Commissioner Van Syckel is active with the County Older Adult Advisory Committee and also represents Macomb County on the Ageways Nonprofit Senior Services Board of Directors.
There were 2 special presentations at this meeting, Matt Stenz from US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and MCEJA Coordinator Emily Shankie on initial results of our needs assessment survey. There were also updates from the prevention committee, the MDT, and a brief update on 4 pending pieces of legislation related to elder abuse, PPOs, and guardianship.
Matt Stenz from DHS gave a presentation on financial fraud. He discussed DHS’s role, recent trends, how people should protect their information, and opportunities for additional training. There was some constructive back and forth between him and the MCEJA members on how local issues relate and possible opportunities for more collaboration.
MCEJA Coordinator Emily Shankie gave an initial presentation on the needs assessment surveys that were conducted as part of the DoJ grant received from the Office of Violence Against Women. Over 125 professionals shared their expertise helping to identify challenges they see in their field, which will help target future services. Through an extensive team effort including the Meals on Wheels programs, senior centers, housing groups, volunteers and hundreds of seniors who wanted their voices heard, 753 needs assessment surveys were completed and recorded by the time of the meeting with more continuing to come in.
Forensic nursing, needs assessment status, and 2 years of the Elder Justice Alliance
The April meeting kicked off with Office of Senior Services Director Sheila Cote discussing the 2 years of work by the Macomb County Elder Justice Alliance. She highlighted our wide range of participating agencies, work of our subcommittees, and the opportunities presented by the $750,000 DoJ Office on Violence Against women grant.
Our coordinator Emily Shanke gave an update on the needs assessment for professionals. We already have 115 completed surveys. She also discussed the distribution plan for the surveys for seniors. Over 50 surveys were given to members for distribution already, with the primary distribution to occur over the following weeks.
Additionally we had reports from our prevention subcommittee on committee conversations. The MDT also briefly discussed their work. Several attendees spoke on work they are doing and shared information including James Karagon discussing his house calls for mental health.
We also had a presentation by Brenda Dzierzawski who is a forensic nurse who works with Turning Point. She went over what services Turning Point can provide, what role forensic nursing plays in elder abuse prevention and response, and answered several questions.
Presentation by Michigan Long Term Ombudsman program
MCEJA's January meeting had a full agenda. A member of the Prosecuting Attorney's Association of Michigan gave a State legislative update. The leadership team gave updates on the DoJ grant, timeline for the bylaws, the plan for the needs assessment and an update from the subcommittees. Additionally there was a presentation on lived experience recruitment.
The primary presentation was from 3 representatives from the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program.
Elder Justice Alliance DoJ grant in the news
Macomb Daily has done a write up on our selection for the grant which can be read here
Macomb Elder Justice Alliance awarded a $750K Department of Justice grant – Macomb Daily
MCEJA partners awarded $750,000 from the Department of Justice
The Macomb County Office of Senior Services (OSS) and its partners, who are all members of the in the Elder Justice Alliance, have been awarded a $750,000 Training and Services Grant from the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women.
“These resources will connect Macomb County with national experts on elder abuse to train all parts of the criminal justice system. It will be transformational for the community and provide support services to older adults who have been abused or exploited and place their needs at the center of our community’s response. We are so grateful to our committed partners in law enforcement and community resources who are the major partners and will be integral to the training and development of policies that will help to transform the current response to elder abuse.” - Sheila Cote, Director Macomb County OSS
The full press release is available here.
Prevention team's first community conversation on senior isolation
On September 3rd Mount Clemens Residents and community leaders joined members of our Prevention Team to discuss senior isolation, identify barriers and potential solutions as well as share resources with each other.
Multidisciplinary Team Training conference
In June 2024, Lisa Nerenberg and Trudy Gregorie national experts on elder abuse, addressed MCEJA members on multidisciplinary teams and shared best and promising practices for the prevention and intervention of elder abuse and exploitation.
Presentation by Michigan Attorney General
During our April 2024 meeting Attorney General Nessel gave a presentation on recent trends, new rules and proposed legislation related to elder abuse, conservatorship, scams and other related issues.
She also answered several questions from members during a Q and A session.
Fighting against financial scams in Macomb County
Working to turn the tide of financial scams against seniors. Financial scams targeting seniors are on the rise. According to a report by the National Council on Aging there were more than 88,000 complaints of fraud against people age 60 and older in 2022, amounting to more than $3 billion in losses.
Task Force presentation on financial exploitation
Macomb County Elder Justice Alliance January 2024 meeting included a presentation by Dr. Lichtenberg from Wayne State University on financial exploitation investigation and prevention as well as Wayne State University's SAFE program.
New task force
Efforts heightened to improve protections of senior citizens in Macomb County, state. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel's administration is creating an elder abuse task force, four years after the state created one, while a local state lawmaker has introduced legislation to require certification of court-appointed guardians and conservators.