Skip links

Bringing Our Leading Senior Service Professionals Together for a New Kind of Event

Lunch and Learn Series

The Elder Justice Lunch and Learn Series delivers FREE webinars designed to support professionals in aging with prevention and the fight against abuse and neglect in the age of COVID-19 and beyond. Industry experts and local elder justice warriors will share knowledge and resources that have helped enhance their work with older adults.

Empowered Aging, in partnership with California Department of Social Services and other partners is excited to share we will be continuing our annual elder justice forum through this virtual platform. Since the coronavirus pandemic began, it has changed the world, our community, and the elder care industry as we know it. Given the immense impact on seniors and older disabled adults, we find it more important than ever to gather from far and wide to exchange ideas, input and seek new viewpoints. The Elder Justice Lunch and Learn Series brings us together to effectively learn innovative tactics, strategies, and advocacy, expanding your reach and impact.

Mark your calendars for the third Thursday of every month from June 17, 2021, to May 19, 2022. Each session is scheduled from 12 to 1 PM PST. *Note: July will be our summer break with sessions resuming in August, and December’s webinar will be held on the second Thursday of the month, December 8th.

Join Us to Learn About These Topics and So Much More:

  • Dissecting Elder Financial Exploitation
  • Adult Protective Services and Disabled Adults
  • Reflections on COVID
  • Elder Health Care Abuse Prevention
  • The Rise in Violence Against Asian Americans
  • Tools to Bring Elder Abuse Out of the Shadows
  • Collaborating with Elder Abuse Attorneys in the Private Sector

Join Us for Our Next Monthly Webinar:

The Elder Justice Lunch & Learn Series will be taking a short break in May, but we will be back in June!

Past Presenters:

Session #20 – April 21, 2022

Emergency Housing and Shelter Needs for Survivors of Elder Abuse

Joy Solomon, Esq., Director and Managing Attorney, Weinberg Center for Elder Justice

Joy Solomon, Esq.:

Joy is the Director and Managing Attorney of The Weinberg Center. Joy co-founded The Weinberg Center in 2004. She was previously Director of Elder Abuse Services at the Pace Women’s Justice Center and an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan, where she served for eight years. Joy is a frequent speaker and writer on the issue of elder abuse and elder justice, including to the United States Senate, Special Commission on Aging. Screening for elder abuse detection in health care and legal systems has been a priority for Joy. In addition to developing evidence-based screening protocols in long-term care, Weinberg Center Risk and Abuse Prevention Screen (WC-RAPS), Joy recently co-authored and published two research papers relating to evidence-based screening for elder abuse. Joy’s work in long-term care also includes an active role in the creation of sexual expression policies for residents, a resilience/well-being program for caregivers, and a fresh look at death and dying in long-term care. Joy also developed a unique domestic violence prevention and intervention program for all employees of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale. Like the Weinberg Center itself and many of its innovative projects, this program is easily replicable. Joy was a founder of the Elder Abuse Committee on the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. In 2017, Joy was awarded the National Crime Victims Service Award by the United States Department of Justice. In 2016, Joy was recognized with an award of Distinction in Public Service by the New York Law Journal, and in 2010 she received The New York State Bar Association award for Excellence in Public Service. Joy is also a certified ISHTA yoga instructor and teacher of breathing and meditation.

Session #19 – March 17, 2022

Elder Abuse: A Retrospective Analysis of a Shifting Perspective

Paul Greenwood, Elder Abuse Investigation and Prosecution Expert

Paul Greenwood:
Newly retired Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood was a lawyer in England for 13 years. After relocating to San Diego in 1991 he passed the California Bar and joined the DA’s office in 1993. For twenty two years Paul headed up the Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit at the San Diego DA’s Office. In 1999 California Lawyer magazine named Paul as one of their top 20 lawyers of the year in recognition of his pioneering efforts to pursue justice on behalf of senior citizens.
He has prosecuted over 750 felony cases of both physical, sexual, emotional and financial elder abuse. He has also prosecuted ten murder cases, including one death penalty case.
In March 2018 Paul retired from the San Diego DA’s office to concentrate on sharing lessons learned from his elder abuse prosecutions with a wider audience. In October 2018 he was given a lifetime achievement award by his former office.
Paul now spends much of his post retirement time consulting on elder abuse cases and providing trainings to law enforcement and Adult Protective Services agencies across the country and internationally. He is also involved as the criminal justice board member of National Adult Protective Services Association.

Session #18 – February 17, 2022

Online Scams, Prevention, and Resolution

Shirley Krohn, Elder Abuse Expert

Shirley Krohn:

Since retiring, elder abuse expert Shirley Krohn has advocated for seniors for decades. As a long-time member of the California Senior Legislature, Shirley researches and writes legislative proposals impacting the aging population and has successfully had five proposals signed into law by the Governor. In her position, Krohn also mentors MSW grad students from several California universities. Together they research aging issues, and under Shirley’s supervision, students also work to help craft legislation. In addition, Shirley is a renowned speaker and all-around rabble-rouser for elder rights and elder abuse prevention. Adding to her impressive resume, Shirley is also a former President of the Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging.

Session #17 – January 20, 2022

Combating Physical Elder Abuse

Dr. Laura Mosqueda, Former Dean, Keck School of Medicine, USC

Dr. Laura Mosqueda:

Laura Mosqueda, MD, FAAFP, AGSF, is a professor (with tenure) of Family Medicine and Geriatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. She is a widely respected authority on elder abuse and care of the elderly and underserved. She is also an expert on medical education curriculum design, development, and implementation. Since joining the Keck School of Medicine of USC, her roles have included: Chair of the Department of Family Medicine, Associate Dean of Primary Care, and Dean. In addition, she is the principal investigator of an NIA-funded R01 study to understand the causes of the abuse of people with dementia and is the Director of the National Center on Elder Abuse. This federally-funded initiative serves as the nation’s coordinating body and clearinghouse for information on research, training, best practices, news, and resources. Dr. Mosqueda is also a fellow in the Health and Aging Policy Fellowship Program. As a clinician, researcher, educator, and academic administrator, she has a unique perspective that is informed by her extensive experiences in the community, including her role as a volunteer long-term care ombudsman.

Session #16 – October 21, 2021

Recognizing Residents’ Rights

Andrea DuBrow, Social Worker and Family Member of a Long-Term Care Resident

Andrea AuBrow:

ANDREA DUBROW has been a field consultant and lecturer at the School of Social Welfare in the Strengthening Organizations and Communities concentration since 2010. She also advises and teaches students in the dual or concurrent degree programs with social welfare and public health.

Prior to joining the faculty, DuBrow worked for the Contra Costa County Health Services Department for more than a decade, coordinating various public health programs including youth organizing, tobacco prevention, women’s health and homeless services. She successfully raised millions of dollars from federal grants and private foundations and has expertise in grant writing, program planning and coordination of projects, advocacy, and multi-disciplinary teams. She also served as a board member for the National Women’s Health Network in Washington, DC, for eight years as well as on a local public charter school board and was previously a health educator for Planned Parenthood: Shasta-Diablo. She was honored in 2018 to receive the UC Berkeley Extension Honored Instructor Award.

In conjunction with UC Extension and the Bay Area Social Services Consortium (BASSC), DuBrow coordinates the Executive Development Program for the Human Services, which brings together managers from throughout the Bay Area county human service programs for a nine-month professional development program.

In 2015, she was nominated by her students and received the UC Berkeley Faculty Mentoring Award, sponsored by the Graduate Division. DuBrow is the first individual in social welfare to receive the prestigious honor.

DuBrow is also a consultant on grant writing, planning and facilitation, and she was a member of the Alameda County Public Health Commission.

Session #15 – September 16, 2021

Collaborating with Elder Abuse Attorneys in the Private Sector

Mark Redmond, Esq. Elder Abuse Attorney

Mark Redmond:

Mark A. Redmond, Esq. received a bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University in 1989 and a law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1992. He immediately began conducting jury trials in the District Attorney’s Office in Placer County. He gained further experience defending insurance companies before starting his own practice representing injured and defrauded consumers. Mark is trained and has volunteered as a long-term care ombudsman, defending the rights of seniors in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and board and care homes throughout California. He is the radio host of Senior Issues and the Law on KFBK 1530. Mark is admitted to both the California and Washington Bar.

Session #14 – August 19, 2021

Amicus, What?

Jim Treggiari, Legal Assistance for Seniors, Leza Coleman, CLTCOA, Sil Vossler, Vossler Law Firm

Jim Treggiari:

James Treggiari is the Executive Director at Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS). He has spent his career focused on assisting clients from disenfranchised communities, including seniors, homeless individuals and families, transgender youth in Los Angeles, and dually diagnosed adults in New Hampshire. James received his J.D. in 2008, a Master of Social Work degree in 2005, and a BA in Psychology in 2003.

For the past ten years at LAS, James has been both a staff attorney assisting clients in elder abuse and conservatorship cases, and since 2015, the Executive Director of the agency. He has co-authored an article on elder abuse restraining order practice in California and presented at a national conference on civil rights regarding the challenges facing older adults.

Leza Coleman:

Leza Coleman, Executive Director of the California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association “CLTCOA,” was introduced into the world of senior advocacy as a field Ombudsman in 2006. As her passion and knowledge grew, she took on the task as Volunteer Coordinator for Ombudsman Services of Northern California. In this role, she was responsible for the recruiting, training and supporting for the field Ombudsmen for 13 northern California counties.

In 2009, despite a struggling economy, she was part of the management team which successfully opened and filled a 95 bed Residential Care Facility for the Elderly, in Elk Grove California. In 2012 Leza returned to her Ombudsman roots by becoming the Executive Director for CLTCOA, a membership association made up of the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs. Utilizing the power of systemic advocacy and the state legislative process, she secured an additional $8.9 million in ongoing state funding for the local programs.

Leza is excited to be afforded the opportunity to work on statewide systemic advocacy focused on changing the way we view “aging” in California.

Sil Vossler:

Sil is the Founder and Principal of The Vossler Law Firm in Oakland, CA. Sil represents plaintiffs in cases at the intersection of financial abuse, predatory lending, and wrongful foreclosure.

Prior to starting The Vossler Law Firm, Sil was a Senior Staff Attorney at Open Door Legal, a San Francisco-based legal aid nonprofit. There, he created and led the firm’s Elder Law team, focusing on issues of elder abuse, estate planning, and probate litigation.Sil serves as a member of the Steering Committee for the California Elder Justice Coalition and is a member of the Advisory Committee for California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform. He was nominated for the California Young Lawyers’ Association’s 2020 Jack Berman Award of Achievement for work as lead counsel for a financial abuse case on behalf of a low-income immigrant elder, resulting in the rescission of an unlawful foreclosure. Sil was invited to advise the California State Assembly’s Banking and Finance Committee on foreclosure-related legislation, particularly as it intersects with financial abuse and is currently working on foreclosure-related policy.

Sil has a B.A. from the University of Rochester, and a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School.

Session #13 – June 17, 2021

Elder Abuse: Tools to Bring this Escalating Crime Out of the Shadows

Paul Greenwood, Elder Abuse Investigation and Prosecution Expert

Paul Greenwood:
Newly retired Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood was a lawyer in England for 13 years. After relocating to San Diego in 1991 he passed the California Bar and joined the DA’s office in 1993. For twenty two years Paul headed up the Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit at the San Diego DA’s Office. In 1999 California Lawyer magazine named Paul as one of their top 20 lawyers of the year in recognition of his pioneering efforts to pursue justice on behalf of senior citizens.
He has prosecuted over 750 felony cases of both physical, sexual, emotional and financial elder abuse. He has also prosecuted ten murder cases, including one death penalty case.
In March 2018 Paul retired from the San Diego DA’s office to concentrate on sharing lessons learned from his elder abuse prosecutions with a wider audience. In October 2018 he was given a lifetime achievement award by his former office.
Paul now spends much of his post retirement time consulting on elder abuse cases and providing trainings to law enforcement and Adult Protective Services agencies across the country and internationally. He is also involved as the criminal justice board member of National Adult Protective Services Association.

Session #12 – May 20, 2021

The Rise in Violence Against Asian Americans – An Intentional Conversation

Denny Chan. Directing Attorney for Equity Advocacy, Justice In Aging

Denny Chan:
Denny serves as Justice in Aging’s inaugural Directing Attorney for Equity Advocacy. In this role, he is responsible for developing and leading Justice in Aging’s Strategic Initiative on Advancing Equity, with a primary focus on race equity for older adults of color, and he also coordinates the organization’s equity team. He joined Justice in Aging as an attorney on the health team in 2014 and is based in Los Angeles, CA. The son of working-class Chinese immigrant parents, Denny has worked significantly on non-discrimination, language access, and healthcare delivery reform issues for low-income older adults and brings all of these experiences to his advocacy. He previously served as a rotating law clerk for the US District Court in Los Angeles and participated in the Fulbright English Teaching Program as a fellow in Macau, China. Denny is a member of the California bar and is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine School of Law. He received his BA from the University of Michigan.

Edie Yau. Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Alzheimer’s Association

Edie Yau

Edie Yau is the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Alzheimer’s Association, Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter. She provides leadership and strategic direction in equity and inclusion in the pursuit of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. She is responsible for developing culturally relevant programs to effectively reach underserved communities. She serves on the Executive Council for AARP California and is a member of the Master Plan for Aging Equity Advisory Committee. Ms. Yau has been in the field of aging for over 20 years and has an MA in Gerontology.

Session #11 – April 15, 2021

Elder Health Care Abuse: Fraud and Scam Prevention

Micki Nozaki, Director, Senior Medicare Patrol

Micki Nozaki is the Director of the California Health Advocates Health Care Fraud Prevention and Education Program known as the Senior Medicare Patrol. The Senior Medicare Patrol is a national, federally-funded program that provides Medicare fraud prevention education and outreach throughout the state to older adults, their families, and caregivers as well as persons with disabilities. Prior to assuming her current role, Micki spent several years in the private sector developing and implementing information protection and privacy programs. Health care fraud is elder abuse and Micki is deeply passionate about protecting older adults and persons with disabilities from being victimized by criminal fraudsters and scammers. She asks that we all do our part to protect those most vulnerable among us.

Session #10 – March 18, 2021

Reflections on COVID: One Year into the Pandemic

Rigo Saborio, President and CEO, St. Barnabas Senior Services

Rigo Saborio has over 25 years of experience in the field of aging with an emphasis on public advocacy, diversity outreach, administration, and direct service. He has served on numerous state and local boards, committees and taskforces focusing on advocacy, diversity, and service issues related to aging. Currently, Rigo is the President & CEO of St. Barnabas Senior Services. As such, he is responsible for the organization’s achievement of its mission and financial objectives. Rigo’s other experience includes: Director of Diversity Outreach and Alliance for AARP National Office in Washington DC; State Deputy Director for AARP-California; Director of the University of Southern California’s Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center; Research Assistant for the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Aging; and Case manager for Alta Med Health Services Corporation, MSSP & SSI programs in Los Angeles. He has a B.S. from California State University, Los Angeles and an MS in Gerontology from the University of Southern California.

Sharon Nevins is the Director of the San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services.

Nevins began her career with San Bernardino County in 2012 as a deputy director for the Department of Behavioral Health following a 22-year career with the California Department of Mental Health. While with County Behavioral Health, she authored, implemented, and managed more than $30-million in grant-funded programs with various agencies and stakeholders. Additionally, she led the design, development, and implementation of several innovative National Association of Counties award-winning programs.

Nevins is a licensed clinical social worker and holds dual master’s degrees in social work and public administration from Ohio State University. During her tenure at the state, Nevins was promoted from social worker to clinical administrator for Patton State Hospital and, more recently, served as the executive director of Metropolitan State Hospital.

Session #9 – February 18, 2021

Adult Protective Services and Dependent Adults: Sometimes it’s Messy

Kim Rutledge, Adult Protective Services at the CDSS

Kim Rutledge was appointed Program Liaison for Adult Protective Services (APS) at the California Department of Social Services by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2019. Kim’s duties include enhancing statewide policies and procedures to promote consistent statewide APS practices and strengthening and expanding services to meet the needs of vulnerable older and dependent adults, including protecting their well-being during emergency situations. She is the CDSS ex officio representative to the State Independent the department on the CalSWEC Advisory Silence = Violence Network, a stakeholder workgroup created to bring advocates together to increase public awareness around elder and dependent adult abuse. Before coming to APS, Kim served as the Chief of the Policy and Quality Assurance Branch within the CDSS Adult Programs Division for three and a half years, overseeing policies impacting the In-Home Supportive Services program Deaf Access Program. Prior to 2016, she spent four years as the assistant legislative director of UDW/AFSCME Local 3930, a labor union that represents In-Home Supportive Services providers in numerous counties. Prior to her career in social services, Kim spent 12 years working as a professional journalist, including four years as a copy editor at the Sacramento Bee. Kim possesses a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master’s degree in social welfare from UCLA.

Christina Mills, Executive Director, California Foundation for Independent Living Centers

Christina Mills has served as the Executive Director of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) since 2017, and she has over 20 years of disability rights and independent living center services experience.

As Executive Director of CFILC, Christina is responsible for seamlessly implementing six statewide programs while also building the capacity of her Independent Living Center members. Earlier this year, Christina launched California’s first cross-disability not-for-profit Disability Disaster Access & Resources (DDAR) program. The DDAR pilot program is a partnership between CFILC and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) that provides people with disabilities services and resources before, during, and after a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).

Christina recently served as an appointee of the California Master Plan for Aging (MPA), Stakeholder Advisory Committee that was charged with developing a ten-year plan focused on creating a California for All. Christina is a current council member of the California Utility Access & Functional Needs Advisory Committee, is a Commissioner of the Advisory Commission on Special Education appointed by the Board of Education, a Board Member of Disability Rights Education Defense Fund (DREDF), and co-chair of the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), International Committee.

In 2019, Christina was honored by the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging (C4A) for her commitment to bridging the gap between the disability and older adult communities.

Chris Dubble, Director, Insitute on Protective Services, Temple University

Chris Dubble, MSW, is a trainer and social worker. He is currently the Assistant Director for Training at Temple University Harrisburg. He oversees the campus’ professional development training offered through Pennsylvania and the United States in this role. Chris is a frequent workshop and keynote speaker on a wide variety of topics. He is also the Director of the Institute on Protective Services and has worked in training and consultation for adult and older adult protective services for 18 years. During his over 25-year career in social work, Chris has been both in direct practice and management at the Penn State University Hershey Medical Center. As the Director of Social Work at Hershey Medical Center, he served on the hospital’s ethics committee. Chris has also been a full-time and adjunct faculty member at Temple University Harrisburg’s Master of Social Work program.

Chris Alire, Program Manager, County of San Diego HHSA Adult Protective Services

Chris Alire has been with the County of San Diego HHSA Adult Protective Services for 21. The last 9 years as Program Manager. She has a Bachelors’ Degree in Social Science and a Master’s in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy. Prior to APS work, she has worked in the field of domestic violence with the military, with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and Aging and Independence Services Call Center. Ms. Alire is the current chair of the CWDA’s Protective Services Operation Committee. In 2015, the San Diego County APS program won the CSAC top Innovationthe NACo Achievement Award for their work on the APS Acutely Vulnerable Adult Protocol that sought to enhance safety for vulnerable adults who are not able to communicate and are cared for by someone who has risk factors for perpetrating abuse.

Session #8 – January 21, 2021

Dissecting Elder Financial Exploitation – When it’s Not “Just a Civil Matter”

Paul Greenwood, Expert in Elder Abuse Investigation and Prosecution

Newly retired Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood was a lawyer in England for 13 years. After relocating to San Diego in 1991 he passed the California Bar and joined the DA’s office in 1993. For twenty two years Paul headed up the Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit at the San Diego DA’s Office. In 1999 California Lawyer magazine named Paul as one of their top 20 lawyers of the year in recognition of his pioneering efforts to pursue justice on behalf of senior citizens.

He has prosecuted over 750 felony cases of both physical, sexual, emotional and financial elder abuse. He has also prosecuted ten murder cases, including one death penalty case.

In March 2018 Paul retired from the San Diego DA’s office to concentrate on sharing lessons learned from his elder abuse prosecutions with a wider audience. In October 2018 he was given a lifetime achievement award by his former office.

Paul now spends much of his post retirement time consulting on elder abuse cases and providing trainings to law enforcement and Adult Protective Services agencies across the country and internationally. He is also involved as the criminal justice board member of National Adult Protective Services Association.

Session #7 – December 10, 2020

Supporting Victims of Crime

Mariam El-menshawi, Director, Victim of Crimes Resource Center, McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific

Mariam El-menshawi is the Director of McGeorge School of Law, Victims of Crime Resource Center. She is also the Managing Attorney at the VCRC- Legal Center, which provides holistic legal services to victims of crime. Mariam received her joint JD – MBA degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She was drawn to victims’ rights as a law student, where she worked directly with victims and conducted research on victims’ rights. Mariam has dedicated her career to helping victims of crime understand their rights and assisting them in navigating and enforcing their rights in the criminal justice system. She serves on the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) VOCA Steering Committee, CalOES VAWA Steering Committee, U.S. Attorney’s Hate Crime Task Force, Financial Abuse Specialist Team, Older Adults Coalition Multidisciplinary Team, and is the Co-Chair of the Victims of Crime Legal Forum.

Mariam was honored with the “2016 Legal Advocacy Award” by the National Crime Victim Law Institute and the 2019 “Local Hero Award” by SafeQuest Solano.

Session #6 – November 19, 2020

Impacts and Innovations of Isolation and Mental Health

Dr. Chandra Keebler, Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Kaiser Permanente

Dr. Keebler is a specialist in Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Medicine. She completed her medical education in 2012 at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in La Jolla, CA. She completed Internal Medicine residency in 2015 at University of California, Los Angeles in Westwood, CA and stayed at UCLA to complete separate fellowships in Geriatric Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She is board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Keebler joined Kaiser Permanente in 2017 and cares for patients in the Memory Clinic, the My Care My Home program, and skilled nursing facilities.

Session #5 – October 15, 2020

Abuse Prevention & Intervention in Long-Term Care

Lori Smetanka, Executive Director, National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care

Lori Smetanka is the Executive Director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, the leading national nonprofit advocacy organization representing consumers receiving long-term care and services in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home and community based settings. As Executive Director, Lori oversees and contributes to the organization’s policy, advocacy, and program activities; leads the organization’s fundraising efforts; establishes strategic partnerships with organizations and federal agencies working on issues related to the provision of long-term services and supports; and establishes the strategic direction of the organization.

From 2004 – 2016 she served as the Director of the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center, providing technical assistance, training, and support to the 53 State and more than 570 local long-term care ombudsman programs across the country. Prior to that role, Lori served as Law and Policy Specialist at the Consumer Voice, where she provided policy analysis, consultation, education, technical assistance, and training on long-term care issues. She received a B.A. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law.

Joe Rodrigues, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, California Department of Aging

Joe Rodrigues has been the California State Long-Term Care Ombudsman since August 2002. As the independent State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, appointed by the Governor, Mr. Rodrigues oversees 35 local Ombudsman programs, with approximately 725 certified Ombudsman representatives who have a regular presence in approximately 1,230 skilled nursing facilities and 7,300 residential care facilities for the elderly. Ombudsman representatives work to resolve individual problems of residents and address systemic issues as well.

Prior to his appointment as State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Mr. Rodrigues was the Assistant Director of the Alameda County Area Agency on Aging where he was responsible for needs assessments, planning, and the delivery of Older Americans Act and Older Californians Act home and community-based services to keep older persons independent and in their own homes.

Before working for the County of Alameda, Rodrigues was the Executive Director of St. Peter’s Community Adult Day Care Center, the first licensed Adult Day Support Center in the county. Adult Day Programs help older persons and persons with disabilities with the activities of daily living while providing respite to family caregivers.

After serving two consecutive terms, Rodrigues is a Past President of the National Association of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs where he led the Association’s work with Congress to reauthorize and modernize the Ombudsman provisions of the Older Americans Act. Rodrigues has been on the faculty of Holy Family College in Fremont, the California State University, Hayward, and for 11 years, the California State University, Sacramento where he taught several courses in the Gerontology Department. He is a member of the American Society on Aging and Sigma Phi Omega, the national academic honor and professional society in gerontology. Rodrigues chaired the Leadership Council of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care and is the past Vice President of the California Council on Gerontology and Geriatrics.

Rodrigues earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from St. Patrick’s College in Mountain View, California and a Master of Divinity degree from their graduate school in Menlo Park, California. He also holds a Lifetime Instructor Credential from the California Community College system.

Session #4 – September 17, 2020

Lunch & Learn Panel: Civil, Criminal or Self Determination

Jim Treggiari, Executive Director, Legal Assistance for Seniors

James Treggiari is the Executive Director at Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS). He has spent his career focused on assisting clients from disenfranchised communities, including seniors, homeless individuals and families, transgender youth in Los Angeles, and dually diagnosed adults in New Hampshire. James received his J.D. in 2008, a Master of Social Work degree in 2005, and a BA in Psychology in 2003.

For the past ten years at LAS, James has been both a staff attorney assisting clients in elder abuse and conservatorship cases, and since 2015, the Executive Director of the agency. He has co-authored an article on elder abuse restraining order practice in California and presented at a national conference on civil rights regarding the challenges facing older adults.

Jill Nielsen, Deputy Director of Programs, Department of Disability and Aging Services, City and County of San Francisco

Jill Nielsen is the Deputy Director of Programs for the City and County of San Francisco’s Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS), where she is responsible for overseeing multiple programs, including Adult Protective Services and In-Home Supportive Services. Additionally, Jill serves as San Francisco’s Public Guardian, Public Conservator, and Public Administrator. She has worked in the field of aging and disability services for almost 20 years, serving in multiple professional capacities focused on protecting the rights of vulnerable adults.

She is currently on the board for the California Elder Justice Coalition as well as the statewide association that represents Public Guardians, Public Conservators, and Public Administrators. Jill obtained her Master’s in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley, and she is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Krishna Abrams, Solano County District Attorney

Krishna Abrams is serving her second term as Solano County’s District Attorney. First elected in 2014, Ms. Abrams became the first female District Attorney of Solano County. DA Abrams has devoted her career to seeking justice for crime victims. She has been a champion for victims of child abuse, domestic abuse, and elder abuse. As a prosecutor and leader of her office, her priorities are: (1) giving victims a voice, (2) holding offenders accountable, and (3) ensuring the fair administration of justice for all.

Throughout her 25- year career as a prosecutor, DA Abrams has worked tirelessly for crime victims, including helping those who have lost a loved one to violence. She has extensive experience trying murder cases and that was reflected in 2013 when she was given the award for, “Outstanding Prosecutor of the Year,” by the California District Attorneys Association. DA Abrams’ work has also been recognized by the Solano County Sheriff’s Department, Iball Vallejo, Children’s Network, Heroes of Solano, and Soroptimist International of Central Solano County.

One of DA Abrams first priorities as the elected District Attorney was to make sure there were adequate resources in preventing, detecting and prosecuting elder abuse. She has made fighting elder abuse a priority as she hired an investigator whose job is dedicated to helping those who may be a victim of elder abuse. At the Solano Family Justice Center, her office has partnered with organizations that can also combat abuse.

DA Abrams’ door is always open. Part of the mission at her office, “To Seek and Do Justice,” is to provide the most needed answers to those in need and provide whatever resources that are available. She strives to expand community involvement so that one day elder abuse can be eradicated from our county.

Session #3 – August 20, 2020

National Trends in Adult Protective Services During COVID-19

Lori Delagrammatikas, Executive Director at National Adult Protective Services Association

Ms. Delagrammatikas, MSW is the Executive Director of the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA). Representing members from across the nations, Lori works to enhance APS practice nationally, and strengthen and expand services to older adults and adults with disabilities. She also provides technical assistance and education to Adult Protective Services workers and their stakeholders around the country. Ms. Delagrammatikas is the former governor appointed Adult Protective Services (APS) Liaison to the counties from the California Department of Social Services. In that position, she coordinated APS services for the entire state of California.

Lori has extensive experience providing training to APS, having worked for 8 years as the program manager of the M.A.S.T.E.R. program at the Academy for Professional Excellence, San Diego State University where she spearheaded the development of the NAPSA’s 23 core competency training modules APS that are currently being used, in whole or in part, by APS programs throughout the nation.

Advocating for Elder Justice in the COVID-19 Era

Lisa Nerenberg, Executive Director of the California Elder Justice Coalition

Lisa Nerenberg, MSW MPH has been a leader in the field of elder abuse prevention for over 35 years. She is Executive Director of the California Elder Justice Coalition, which was formed in 2012 to provide a voice from the field to state policy makers, and an instructor at City College of San Francisco, where she teaches classes in gerontology, elder abuse, and ageism. She was the founding director of the San Francisco Consortium for Elder Abuse Prevention, which piloted the nation’s first elder abuse multidisciplinary team and other widely-replicated services. She has presented at hundreds of professional forums, testified before Congressional committees, served on governmental advisory boards, and written extensively about elder abuse, undue influence, elder justice, public health approaches to combating elder abuse and health disparities, and related topics. Her newly released Elder Justice, Ageism and Elder Abuse (Springer, 2019) offers a framework for promoting individual rights and social justice in aging policy and programs. Her earlier Elder Abuse Prevention: Emerging Trends and Promising Strategies (Springer, 2008) describes what the public, government, agencies, and advocates can do to prevent abuse, treat its effects, and ensure justice.

Session #2 – July 16, 2020

Preventing Eviction in the Age of COVID-19

Ollie Ehlinger, Managing Attorney, Legal Services of Northern California, Solano

Oliver Ehlinger, is the Managing Attorney for the Solano County Office of Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC). LSNC provides free civil legal advice and representation for low-income, disabled, and senior residents of Northern California. Oliver has served over 3000 individuals in his legal services career and has represented clients in state, federal, and administrative courts. He is a graduate of UC Davis School of Law and a North Carolina native

Session #1 – June 18, 2020

Keynote: Collaboration and the Future of Elder Justice

Paul Greenwood, Expert in Elder Abuse Investigation and Prosecution

Newly retired Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood was a lawyer in England for 13 years. After relocating to San Diego in 1991 he passed the California Bar and joined the DA’s office in 1993. For twenty two years Paul headed up the Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit at the San Diego DA’s Office. In 1999 California Lawyer magazine named Paul as one of their top 20 lawyers of the year in recognition of his pioneering efforts to pursue justice on behalf of senior citizens.

He has prosecuted over 750 felony cases of both physical, sexual, emotional and financial elder abuse. He has also prosecuted ten murder cases, including one death penalty case.

In March 2018 Paul retired from the San Diego DA’s office to concentrate on sharing lessons learned from his elder abuse prosecutions with a wider audience. In October 2018 he was given a lifetime achievement award by his former office.

Paul now spends much of his post retirement time consulting on elder abuse cases and providing trainings to law enforcement and Adult Protective Services agencies across the country and internationally. He is also involved as the criminal justice board member of National Adult Protective Services Association.

Are You a Part of…

  • Adult Protective Services
  • Long-Term Care Ombudsman
  • In-Home Support Services
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Telephone Reassurance
  • Legal Assistance
  • Home Care
  • Health Care
  • Social Workers
  • Alzheimer’s Support

…Any and all elder care service professionals, we call on you to help blaze the trail into a safer, stronger future for older and disabled adults. The time is now to gather together, learn, and implement new solutions for critical issues facing our elders.

Event FAQ

1. If I register for one of the webinars, am I signed up to attend the rest?

No, you must register for each webinar individually through Eventbrite. You can find links to the most recent registration page on our website, through our social media – Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram, and we will send out weekly registration emails.

2. When registering for the Lunch and Learn event, do I need to answer all the survey questions?

Yes, answering these survey questions helps us ensure that we continue to deliver content that you want and need most. It also helps to tailor future events and activities.

3. What if I register for a session and miss a portion or was unable to attend? Can I access a recording?

To help you get the most out of each session, whether you were able to attend the full webinar or not, we will be sending out a full replay to all registered guests within one week after the taping.

4. How do I join the webinar?

You should receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite with Zoom Access information once you register. We will send out reminder emails the week of the event with the Zoom links as well.

5. When will each of the webinars be held?

Each Lunch & Learn webinar will be held on the third Thursday of each month from 12 PM – 1 PM PST/PDT.

  • Thursday, June 17, 2021
  • Thursday, July 15, 2021 *Summer Break, No Session*
  • Thursday, August 19, 2021
  • Thursday, September 16, 2021
  • Thursday, October 21, 2021
  • Thursday, November 18, 2021
  • Thursday, December 8, 2021 *Winter Break, No Session*
  • Thursday, January 20, 2022
  • Thursday, February 17, 2022
  • Thursday, March 17, 2022
  • Thursday, April 21, 2022
  • Thursday, May 19, 2022

6. Who can join the Lunch and Learn program?

Addressing, preventing, and spreading awareness of elder abuse requires a multi-level, multi-disciplinary approach. The Elder Justice Lunch and Learn program welcomes all elder care industry professionals, services, organizations, and community members. We need to stand together as one movement loudly and clearly advocating for a nationwide community of older and disabled adults and their families.

7. What do I do if I am experiencing technical difficulties or having issues with the Zoom link?

Although we have a hardworking team of webinar gurus assisting with production, sometimes technical issues may occur that are outside of our control. If you are experiencing any issues, please email us at at info@empoweredaging.org and we will respond as soon as possible to help solve.

Partners

The Elder Justice Lunch and Learn Series would not be made possible without the following sponsors:

Sponsors

Planning Partner

More Information and Resources from Empowered Aging:

Your support has allowed us to develop and implement innovative ways to address the needs of our seniors, not just today, but tomorrow and beyond. Download our Annual Report to see all the ways we’ve been expanding through innovation.

Empowered Aging helps individuals and their families as they navigate the journey in aging through advocacy, action, education and collaboration. Below you can access our latest newsletter to read more about kicking off a year of empowerment.

In the News – The Elder Justice League Solano

image003

Working with community partners, The Elder and Adult with Disabilities Justice Program teaches community members how to recognize and combat abuse of vulnerable seniors and dependent adults while facilitating access to a range of care and support services needed. Read more about the Elder Justice League’s community engagement in the Daily Republic.

Are you interested in joining the Elder and Adults with Disabilities Justice League? Find out more!

Newsletter

Keep me informed.

Support Elder Justice

osccs-burt-2

New issues are impacting older adults and adults with disabilities each and every day. Your support allows us to develop and implement new, innovative ways to address senior needs today while preparing for even more change that will continue to impact our communities as the older adult population continues to grow. Thank you for your contribution.