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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Sigman, Brian <Brian.Sigman@ct.gov> <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, July 19, 2021 3:20 PM<br><b>To:</b> DORS-DL BESB <DORS-DLBESB@ct.gov><br><b>Subject:</b> FW: RELEASE: ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG LAUNCHES ELDER JUSTICE HOTLINE<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>From: Sullivan, Kathleen <<a href="mailto:Kathleen.Sullivan@ct.gov">Kathleen.Sullivan@ct.gov</a>> <br>Sent: Monday, July 19, 2021 2:13 PM<br><br>Subject: FW: RELEASE: ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG LAUNCHES ELDER JUSTICE HOTLINE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><div><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002060;letter-spacing:1.2pt'>Please share with our partners</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'><img border=0 width=759 height=164 style='width:7.9062in;height:1.7083in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D6DD11.0FAC7030"></span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'>PRESS RELEASE</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'>Monday, July 19, 2021</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style='margin:0in;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG LAUNCHES ELDER JUSTICE HOTLINE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong, Aging and Disabilities Commissioner Amy Porter, Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull and the Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut today launched the Elder Justice Hotline-- a “one stop shop” for older in adults in Connecticut in need of information, aid, and justice. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Elder justice issues can range from age-based discrimination in the workplace to scams and frauds, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. As a result, no one state agency can answer every question. The Consumer Assistance Unit of the Office of the Attorney General will staff the hotline and refer matters as appropriate to agencies across state government. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The hotline can be reached at 1-860-808-5555. Individuals may also access information about the hotline, resources, and an online complaint portal here: <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/ag/elderhotline">https://portal.ct.gov/ag/elderhotline</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“If you have been the victim of a scam, or have been neglected, exploited or abused, we are here to help. It’s hard sometimes to know who to call, so we want to make it easy. The Elder Justice Hotline can answer your questions, connect you with trained investigators, and help you access aid, support and justice,” said Attorney General Tong. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“We are pleased this hotline will make it that much easier for older adults and their families to make connections that support their independence with dignity and respect,” said Aging and Disability Services Commissioner Amy Porter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut is a multi-disciplinary, statewide group of private and public stakeholders working together to prevent elder abuse and protect the rights, independence, security, and well-being of vulnerable elders.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“This is another important tool in the toolbox for state agencies to work together to protect consumers from age-based discrimination in the workplace, scams and frauds targeting older adults, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation,” said DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Reports of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation received through the Hotline will be referred to the Protective Services for the Elderly program of the Department of Social Services. DSS social workers investigate reports of elder maltreatment and neglect (including self-neglect) and intervene with services and connections to community partners. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“Unfortunately, older adults are especially vulnerable to serious maltreatment, including physical, emotional and even sexual abuse, along with neglect and financial exploitation,” said Dr. Deidre S. Gifford, Department of Social Services Commissioner and Department of Public Health Acting Commissioner. “Our Protective Services social workers help adults 60 and older by investigating allegations and providing or arranging for services to alleviate and prevent further maltreatment. We also provide conservator of person and estate services when vulnerable older adults have no one to care for them or their interests. We thank Attorney General Tong and his staff for launching the Elder Justice Hotline, which promises to be an important contact point and resource for Connecticut’s older adults and their families and advocates.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>"This hotline will help law enforcement, as well as family and friends, protect our most targeted and vulnerable population. Our older populations sometimes have difficulty and fear when they are trying to report that they are a victim. This will be a tremendous help,” said Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner James Rovella. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Office of the Attorney General and the Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut have partnered with the following state agencies and organizations to support the hotline: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>• CT Department of Banking<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>• CT Department of Consumer Protection<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>• CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>• CT Department of Public Health<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>• CT Department of Social Services - Protective Services for the Elderly<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>• CT Long-Term Care Ombudsman<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>• CT Police Training Academy <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>• CT Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>• State Unit on Aging, Department of Aging and Disability Services<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>###<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Media Contact:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Elizabeth Benton<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="mailto:Elizabeth.Benton@ct.gov"><span style='color:#1155CC'>Elizabeth.Benton@ct.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222'>860-</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121;background:white'>214-0937 </span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222'>(</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121;background:white'>cell</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#222222'>)</span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#212121;background:white'></span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>