June 30, 2026 — Each year on June 15, communities observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)—a global initiative to raise awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults and to promote dignity and safety. Launched in 2006 and recognized by the United Nations in 2011, WEAAD has become an important platform for advancing elder justice at all levels of government.
For county governments and elected officials, WEAAD offers an opportunity to strengthen local systems while aligning with regional collaboration efforts such as those led by the Centralina Regional Council.
Why It Matters for Counties—and the Role of MDTs
Counties are at the center of elder justice, coordinating services across Adult Protective Services, public health, law enforcement, and aging programs. As the population ages, cases involving abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation are becoming more complex and require coordinated responses.
National data reinforces both progress and gaps. Professionals already collaborate broadly—working with an average of 11.1 different types of organizations. However, collaboration is often informal and difficult to sustain. Only 41% of professionals participate in a multidisciplinary team (MDT), while 63% report needing more training and technical assistance. Lack of staff time remains a key barrier, cited by 25% of respondents.
These findings highlight a critical opportunity for counties. While partnerships exist, they are not always structured or resourced in a way that ensures consistent outcomes. Multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) offer a proven approach by bringing agencies together for coordinated case review and planning. Strong MDTs improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and provide more comprehensive support to older adults. Supporting MDT participation, convening local or regional teams, and investing in shared training are practical steps counties can take to strengthen their response systems.
A strong example of this approach is the Cabarrus County Adult Protection Network, which has been working since 2010 to combat elder mistreatment. In partnership with Cabarrus County Active Living and Parks and the Cabarrus Council on Aging, this group hosted the Annual 2026 World Elder Abuse Awareness Walk on June 12 at the Concord Active Living Center—demonstrating how local collaboration can both raise awareness and strengthen coordinated responses.
Alignment with Centralina Regional Council
These strategies align closely with Centralina’s focus on regional collaboration, capacity-building, and shared solutions. Many of the challenges identified—limited staff capacity, uneven MDT participation, and the need for training—are not unique to a single jurisdiction. Centralina Aging staff also actively serve on several existing county MDT initiatives, helping to strengthen cross-county coordination and bring expertise directly into local case review and planning efforts.
By working at a regional level, Centralina can help counties build shared training opportunities, support multi-county MDT models, improve efficiency, and integrate elder justice efforts with broader healthy aging initiatives. This approach allows counties to strengthen services collectively, especially where individual capacity is limited.
Using WEAAD as a Catalyst
WEAAD provides a practical platform for counties to turn awareness into action. Local governments can use this observance to elevate elder justice as a priority, bring partners together, and strengthen coordinated responses through targeted outreach, training, and engagement efforts.
Conclusion
WEAAD has grown into a global movement, but its greatest impact is local. National findings show strong commitment to collaboration, yet ongoing gaps in capacity and structure.
For county leaders, the path forward is clear: build and sustain multidisciplinary partnerships, invest in shared capacity, and leverage regional collaboration. With support from partners like Centralina, counties can move beyond awareness and ensure older adults are protected, supported, and able to age with dignity.
