WHEREAS, a just society exists only when people can age with dignity and respect, free from abuse, neglect and exploitation;
WHEREAS, an estimated one in 10 older adults in Maine experience abuse each year;
WHEREAS, elder abuse is frequently perpetrated by individuals in positions of trust, including family members and friends;
WHEREAS, older adults who experience abuse or mistreatment are three times more likely to die within the following decade than adults of the same age who are not abused;
WHEREAS, research demonstrates that coordinated, multidisciplinary approaches engaging both the public and private sectors are the most effective means of addressing the pervasive problem of elder abuse;
WHEREAS, in 2019, I established Maine's Elder Justice Coordinating Partnership ("Partnership"), building on Maine's proven success with multidisciplinary efforts, to develop recommendations for preventing and addressing elder abuse;
WHEREAS, the Partnership was charged with developing strategic priorities and recommendations across public and private sectors to address and prevent elder abuse;
WHEREAS, in 2021, the Partnership issued Maine's first Elder Justice Roadmap, a comprehensive and forward-looking set of recommendations to advance elder justice goals statewide;
WHEREAS, in 2022, I established the Cabinet on Aging to ensure that Maine people can age safely, affordably, and in ways and settings that best meet their individual needs, and to coordinate state government efforts on a broad range of issues that, if left unaddressed, contribute to increased risk of elder abuse;
WHEREAS, coordination between the Cabinet on Aging and the Partnership has strengthened the State's ability to advance elder justice initiatives;
WHEREAS, the Partnership has issued an updated Elder Justice Roadmap this month to reflect progress made and to identify current and emerging priorities;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, pursuant to Article V, Part First, Sections 1 and 12 of the Maine Constitution, do hereby Order as follows:
- Partnership To Continue its Work. The Partnership shall continue as an ongoing public-private initiative to advance its work and recommendations in the areas of direct services, education and training, public policy and data collection and evaluation.
- Support. While maintaining the autonomy of the Partnership, the Cabinet on Aging shall support the Partnership to ensure sustained engagement, coordination, and progress in advancing the State's commitment to improving Maine's response to elder abuse.
- Membership. Members of the Partnership shall include the following key agency and office leaders or their designee: Commissioner, Department of Health and Human Services (or designee); Associate Director, Adult Protective Services, Office of Aging and Disability Services; Associate Director, Aging and Long Term Service and Supports, Office of Aging and Disability Services; Director, Violence Prevention Program Manager, Office of Child and Family Services; Director, Division of Licensing and Certification; Director, Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Commissioner, Department of Public Safety (or designee); Colonel, Maine State Police; Administrator, Office of Securities; and Director, Office of Behavioral l Health; Coordinator, Maine Cabinet on Aging.
At the discretion of the Chairs, the Partnership may also include the Executive Director of a statewide organization providing legal services to older adults; the Executive Director of a statewide coalition of sexual violence service providers; the Executive Director of statewide coalition of domestic violence service providers; the Executive Director of an organization providing housing and other services to elder abuse victims; the Executive Director of an organization providing ombudsman services to recipients of long term services and supports; chairs of a statewide public awareness coalition focused on elder abuse prevention; and a representative of the area agencies on aging.
Additional members may include: Maine's Attorney General or their designee(s); a representative of the Maine Sheriffs Association; a representative of the Maine Police Chiefs Association; a representative of the Maine Prosecutor's Association; the U.S. Attorney or designee; and others deemed appropriate by the Governor. - Chairs. The Partnership shall be led by a co-chair from the private sector and a co-chair from the public sector. Each shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
- Meetings. The Partnership shall meet at the call of the chairs.
- Records and proceedings. Pursuant to 1 M.R.S. §§ 402(2)(F), (3)(C-J), (3)(J) and §403(6),_ _and consistent with any other pertinent provision of Maine law, the Partnership's records containing personally identifiable and other sensitive information, and its proceedings in which the same are discussed, are exempt from public disclosure requirements.
- Compensation. Members of the Partnership shall serve without compensation.
