About the Elder Abuse Alliance
In every community across this country, vulnerable older adults are being abused, neglected, and exploited. Yet, in many instances, their plight is ignored or minimized. To make a change for the better, the Elder Abuse Alliance works to improve the lives of older adults in Genesee County.
Sadly, too many people view older people as burdens rather than as valued individuals who are entitled, as we all are, to be treated with dignity and respect. Many incidents of abuse go unreported because older persons are embarrassed, ashamed, or fearful of losing the help they need from family members or caregivers in their homes. As the number of older adults in our population increases, the incidence of elder abuse will almost certainly increase unless our society takes action to address this issue.
During the summer of 1999, the Genesee County Elder Abuse Task Force was organized as a volunteer organization. Our goal is to improve the lives of older adults in Genesee County by:
- Increasing the awareness of elder abuse
- Improving the response to incidents of elder abuse
- Developing strategies to prevent elder abuse
- Enhancing coordination among service providers
In the spring of 2010, the Task Force merged with the advisory committee for the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department Elder Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Unit. The Sheriff’s Department receives funding from the Genesee County senior millage to investigate complaints of violations of criminal laws related to elder abuse.
In 2014, the membership of the Sheriff’s Elder Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Unit advisory committee and the task force determined that a more formal organizational structure was needed to obtain independent funding and expand its activities. The two groups merged with a local nonprofit organization that had been formed to work in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Elder Abuse Unit. The organization had obtained a 501(c)(3) tax exemption, but had been dormant for several years. The name of the organization was changed to the Elder Abuse Alliance.
The EAA is a non-profit charitable corporation that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are welcome and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Elder Abuse Alliance Meetings
The Elder Abuse Alliance meets on the first Thursday of each month at 9:00am. Our meetings take place in the lower level of the Genesee County Administration Building, in the Human Resources Training Room. Everyone is welcome to attend a meeting as a guest and/or join the EAA as a member. Joining is as simple as attending a meeting and signing in with your name, organization, and email address. There are no dues or applications to join.
Genesee County Administration Building
Elder Abuse Alliance Board
The Voting Board consists of 15 members, elected to three-year staggered terms. The Executive Board is made up of four members of the Voting Board; officer elections are held every July at the annual meeting.
Executive
Committee
Amir Abu-Aita
President
Attorney
Sherri Frame
Vice President
Elder Law Attorney
Jenette Finch
Treasurer
Loss Prevention Supervisor
Dolores Coulter
Secretary
Elder Law Attorney, Retired
Board of
Trustees
Mary Abu-Aita
Assisted Living Provider
Kariann Nelson
Detective Lieutenant
Beth Schumacher
Social Worker
Tracy Dowless
Adult Services Supervisor
Sam Olson
Genesee County Probate Court
Andrew Snyder
Detective Sergeant
Pam Keener
Elder Law Paralegal
Renee Puvalowski
Local Long Term Care Ombudsman
Charles P. Tommasulo
Social Worker
Mike Kotarski
Elder Law Attorney
Pamela Reid
Program Coordinator & Contract Management
Elder Abuse Alliance Members
Members consist of both professionals and organizations concerned about the welfare of our elderly community. Their qualifications and jobs range from law enforcement and legal services, to medical and human service providers, as well as financial institutions and government agencies.
Extended Care Facilities
Caretel Inns of Linden
Fenton Healthcare
Kith Haven
WellBridge of Fenton
Home Health Care Agencies
All Americans Home Health & Hospice Care
Alternative Elderly Care
Heart to Heart Hospice
Kindred At Home & Hospice
Loving Hands
Professional Nursing Services, Inc
Right At Home
Assisted Living Facilities
Greenley Square Manor
The Lodges of Durand
Serenity Assisted Living
Banks and Credit Unions
Chemical Bank
Comerica Bank
Financial Plus Credit Union
Lapeer County Bank & Trust
Security Credit Union
State Bank
Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Michigan Chapter
Department of Health and Human Services Adult Services (Adult Protective Services)
Genesee County Department of Veterans Services
The Disability Network
Elder Law Attorneys
Family Service Agency of Mid-Michigan
Flint Township Police Department
Forest Township Senior Center
Genesee County Office of Senior Services
Genesee County Probate Court
Genesys PACE of Genesee County
Geriatric Social Work
Hurley Medical Center
Lakeshore Legal Aid Long-Term Ombudsman Program
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan
McLaren, Flint
Office of Genesee County Sheriff
Valley Area Agency on Aging
* Items in red denote a founding member organization
Contact Us
For general inquiries please contact us at:
P.O. Box 998, Flint, MI 48501
eaagenesee@gmail.com
Please note that as a volunteer organization with no staff and a very small budget we are not able to respond to requests for individual advice or assistance regarding specific situations. However we welcome your comments on the information provided on this website, as well as your suggestions for additions or improvements to the site.
For information on a wide range of resources available in Genesee County for seniors, click here to view the Genesee County Commission on Aging’s Senior Resource Directory.
For information on other elder justice programs in Michigan contact the Michigan Elder Justice Coordinating Council at mielderjustice.org.