Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2008, $42,482)
The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget. Funds should be used for purposes recommended by Congress.
The Nevada Rural Counties RSVP Program will provide pro bono legal services to low income and homebound seniors in Nevada to help them from becoming victims of elder abuse and fraud. In the rural areas of Nevada, there are inadequate or nonexistent senior legal services available, and the RSVP CARE Law Program provides the only access to these services. The goal is to prevent the victimization of low income seniors and assist them in continuiing to live independently for as long as possible. The objectives are to provide quality elder care legal assistance to seniors, assist with litigating criminal elder abuse cases, and help mitigate criminal fraud against seniors. The legal assistance offered will include durable powers of attorney, wills, guardianships, probate issues, social security, Medicare and Medicaid appeals, and elder abuse issues. The grant recipient will collaborate with nursing homes and home health providers and maintain a working relationship with the coroners, public administrators, and guardians in 15 rural counties.
NCA/NCF