Guilford County elder justice committee earns state award

Made up of 16 local agencies, the county’s EJC continues to advance advocacy, services and education for vulnerable and disabled adults in Guilford County through influencing legislation, delivering public education and securing grant funding. Notably, the EJC drafted and championed Senate Bill 400, establishing Multi-Disciplinary Team legislation to improve collaboration and communication in the protection of adults served by Adult Protective Services.

In 2025, members presented at key conferences, including the North Carolina Social Services Institute on the intersection of Adult Protective Services and Family Justice Centers, and the North Carolina Family Justice Conference on creating an Elder Abuse Case Review Team. The EJC also provides specialized annual training, such as Vital Signs: Sexual Abuse Prevention in Older Adults and Friends Against Fraud, which educates the community, facilities and professionals on scams targeting older adults.

Recently, the EJC partnered to secure a $1.5 million, three-year grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living to launch RISE for Change: Reimagining Elder Justice Care Management. This initiative aims to reduce maltreatment, prevent revictimization and transform care management for older adults in Guilford County.

The award’s namesake, Dorothy “Dot” Crawford, was the former Franklin County social services director and North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature volunteer, who worked tirelessly for North Carolina elders.