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Events
Elder Justice Awareness Month Webinar Series
In recognition of Elder Justice Awareness Month, the Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) will host a national webinar series focused on increasing awareness, strengthening prevention efforts, and advancing coordinated responses to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The series will explore the evolving landscape of fraud and scams, provide guidance on recognizing warning signs and protecting oneself, and highlight community- and facility-based resources available to support individuals who have experienced maltreatment.
The webinar series will underscore the importance of cross-sector collaboration in protecting older adults. Sessions will feature subject matter experts, older adults, and advocates discussing topics such as identifying signs of abuse, supporting victims and caregivers, and utilizing federal and state resources. This initiative reflects the EJCC’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that all older adults can live with dignity, independence, and security in their communities.
Description: Older adults reported losing more than $3 billion to fraud in 2025. Join the FTC for an overview on the top scams reported by older adults last year, free tools to help older adults recognize and avoid scams, and what you can do to help protect people in your community.
Agency: Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Presenters:
- Emma Fletcher, Senior Data Researcher
- Gema de las Heras, Consumer Education Specialist
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: Please click this URL to join.
Link to Join
Passcode: 420716
Or One tap mobile:
+16692545252,,1651003267#,,,,*420716# US (San Jose)
+16469641167,,1651003267#,,,,*420716# US (US Spanish Line)
Dial in by phone
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 254 5252 or +1 646 964 1167 or +1 646 828 7666 or +1 669 216 1590 or +1 415 449 4000 or +1 551 285 1373 or 833 568 8864 (Toll Free) or 833 435 1820 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 165 100 3267
Passcode: 420716
International numbers available
Description: Join us for a deep dive on government efforts to battle imposter scams. Hear from government representatives, including the Federal Trade Commission on the latest trends, enforcement actions, how to protect yourself from imposter scams, and what to do if you spot one.
Agency: Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Presenters:
- Richard Goldberg, Associate Counsel, Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Christopher Brown, Attorney, Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Kira Krown, Consumer Education Specialist, Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Link to Join
Meeting ID: 264 627 049 028 739
Passcode: Ps6hE73C
Description: Learn how to protect your investments and identify the red flags of fraud investment scams. You’ll learn some of the common tactics scammers use, as well as how to better protect yourself and your loved ones.
Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Presenters:
- Erin Scheithe, Office of Investor Education and Assistance, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Description: During this webinar, representatives from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will provide information that will help consumers:
- Recognize a potential scam.
- Protect themselves from being scammed.
- Locate the agency’s consumer-facing resources.
- File an informal complaint using the Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Center.
Agency: Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Presenters:
- Keyla Hernandez-Ulloa, Acting Chief, Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Federal Communications Commission
Description: Across the country, Law Enforcement (LE) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are called to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities for help. At times, they are confronted with situations in facilities for which they have not been prepared. Other times, they may see conditions in a long-term care facility they find concerning. The result can lead to a tenuous response, sometimes with uncertainty as to what they should do. The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (Consumer Voice), in partnership with the Department of Justice (DOJ), developed a series of short, engaging educational videos and resource materials informing and educating first responders about considerations when called to a long-term care facility and resources for where to turn if they have questions or concerns about what they see. Join this webinar for a preview of these new resource videos and a discussion for how they may be used to educate and support first responders about issues experienced in Long-Term Care.
Agency: Department of Justice in Partnership with the National Consumer Voice
Presenters:
- Lori Smetanka, Executive Director, National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
- Susan Lynch, Senior Counsel for Elder Justice, U.S. Department of Justice, where she leads the Department’s National Nursing Home Initiative.
Description: Join our engaging webinar to hear an overview of common scams targeting older adults and practical tips for seniors, caregivers, and community members to recognize, prevent, and report fraud. Participants will learn key warning signs, simple protection strategies, and trusted resources to help keep seniors informed and safe. Following this high level discussion, we will zoom in on best practices for protecting your personal data while using Social Security’s digital resources. We will also share expert tips for how to safely and efficiently manage your information by creating your own my Social Security account. Empower yourself to take charge of your online security and make informed decisions with confidence.
Agency: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
Presenters:
- Trisha Mentzer, Social Insurance Specialist in Communications, Social Security Administration
- Amber Mahmood, Investigator, Office of the Inspector General
- Jonelle Soeffing, Operations Officer, Office of the Inspector General
Link to Join
Meeting ID: 289 075 522 421 566
Passcode: Uf9QQ92c
Dial in by phone
1 206-420-5032,,280980368# United States, Seattle
Phone conference ID: 280 980 368#
Description: Scams and fraud can have serious and lasting effects on older adults, affecting their finances, emotional well-being, and sense of security. In a 2025 report to Congress, the Federal Trade Commission estimated that, after accounting for underreporting, older adults lost up to $81.5 billion to fraud in 2024. This webinar will highlight underlying factors and communication strategies that support recovery, rebuild trust, and help reduce the risk of repeat victimization. This webinar is co-hosted by the National Center on Elder Abuse, U.S. Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life, and National District Attorneys Association.
Co-Hosted by: National Center on Elder Abuse, U.S. Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative, National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life, and National District Attorneys Association.
Presenters:
- Amy Nofziger (anofziger@aarp.org), Director of Fraud Victim Support AARP Fraud Watch Network
- Pete Staffell (pete@rollandflow.co), Principal Roll and Flow (Break the Spell Program)
- Jennifer Lawrence, DSW, LICSW (jen@cybercrimesupport.org), Director of Clinical Programs and Trauma Recovery FightCyberCrime.org
- Miles McNeely, LCSW (mmcneeley@wiseandhealthyaging.org), Vice President, Elder Abuse Prevention WISE & Healthy Aging
Description: This webinar provides an overview of key programs administered by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) that support the rights, health, and financial security of older adults and people with disabilities. It is designed for both the general public and federal stakeholders, with a focus on how federal policy translates into community-based services.
Agency: Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Presenters:
- Kari Benson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging
- Rebecca Kinney, OHIC Director and SMP Program Manager
- Melissa Simpson, SHIP Program Manager
- Melanie Kempf, Iowa Deputy State LTC
- Amity Overall, National Ombudsman Resource Center
- Sonya Begay, Program Analyst
Meeting ID: 235 790 929 760 611
Passcode: Dj6f5zo7
Dial in by phone
1 206-420-5032,,208589257# United States, Seattle
Phone conference ID: 208 589 257#
Description: In recognition of World Elder Justice Awareness Month, this webinar highlights interdisciplinary approaches to preventing elder mistreatment through education, training, and legal collaboration. Dr. Valerie Bearden (University of Arkansas GWEP) will present a comprehensive training model that equips frontline professionals, caregivers, and community partners to identify and respond to elder abuse. Dr. Aida Wen (University of Hawaii GWEP) will share an innovative partnership integrating geriatrics and legal education to promote dementia capability among legal and business professionals. Together, these efforts demonstrate how cross-sector collaboration can strengthen prevention and better protect older adults.
GWEP presenters, topics, and contact information:
The University of Arkansas GWEP has confirmed participation, and their program is truly impressive—they provide elder mistreatment training for a wide range of audiences, including EMTs, paramedics, patients, families, caregivers, health professionals and paraprofessionals, adult protective services investigators, support personnel, direct care workers such as nursing assistants, police officers, and firefighters. The speaker will be Valerie Bearden, DNP, RN, CNE; Executive Director of the Oaklawn Center on Aging; Director of the AGEC Priority One Partner for this grant cycle, will be doing this presentation. Her email is valerie@oaklawncenteronaging.com and phone number is 501-276-0401.
In addition, the University of Hawaii GWEP will be represented by Dr. Aida Wen, who is their Project Director. Their GWEP has developed a partnership with the University of Hawaii Richardson School of Law and Elder Law Program to promote dementia capability in elder law and justice, specifically targeting legal and business professionals as well as students through their interdisciplinary law and ethics curriculum. Aida Wen, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Geriatric Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii; Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program Director, University of Hawaii; Principal Investigator, Pacific Islands GWEP. Dr. Wen’s contact information aidawen@hawaiiantel.net and her phone number is (808)523-8461.
Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Presenters:
- Dr. Valerie Bearden, DNP, RN, CNE; Executive Director of the Oaklawn Center on Aging
- Dr. Joan Weiss, Acting Director, Division of Medicine and Dentistry, BHW/HRSA
- Jennifer Tripken, GWEP Project Officer
Meeting ID: 249 163 381 439 489
Passcode: NY6SR9BP
Dial in by phone
1 206-420-5032,,838619875# United States, Seattle
Phone conference ID: 838 619 875#
Description: This session will highlight national data from LSC-funded programs to illustrate the scope and impact of civil legal aid in preventing and addressing elder abuse. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion featuring LSC grantees who will share diverse approaches and strategies for addressing elder abuse, including unique challenges faced in their respective service areas.
Agency: Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
Presenters:
- Francis Nugent, Program Counsel, LSC
- Nicole Maesse, Deputy Director of Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid
- Sarah E. Barker, Director, Senior Citizen Law Project
- Jeffrey Hittleman, Supervising Attorney, Senior Citizen Law Project, Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida
- Jen Berger, Office of Program Performance Program Counsel, LSC
Link to Join Will Be Coming Soon
Description: You are invited to a national webinar on the FDIC financial education curriculum, Money Smart for Older Adults (MSOA). The MSOA program raises awareness among older adults and their caregivers on how to prevent fraud, scams, and elder financial exploitation. Webinar participants will also hear from the SEC about approaches to prevent investment scams.
Agency: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Securities and Exchange Commission
Presenters:
- Hansen Lasconia, FDIC, Depositor & Consumer Protection
- Thomas Wang, FDIC, Cyberfraud & Financial Crimes
- Erin Scheithe, SEC, Office of Investor Education & Assistance
Link to Join Will Be Coming Soon
Last Modified: 05/21/2026