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Question: Why are there two Offices of Elder Justice? Would one be sufficient?
Elder abuse includes both public health and law enforcement components. Both the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice house programs that address abuse prevention and crime prevention. The authors of the bill believe that it is necessary to work through both departments to address elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Moreover, they think it is necessary to utilize existing structures in both departments, rather than create new bureaucracy. It is with this in mind that the bill establishes an Office of Elder Justice in each department. To ensure a high level of coordination between the two departments and other agencies of the federal government, the proposal establishes a coordinating body that will ensure coordination between the two departments, other federal agencies, private entities, and the state and local governments.