Caitlin Corey

Hosted by Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas
Sponsored by U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime
Service location Lubbock, Texas
Law school American University Washington College of Law
Issue area Elder Abuse
Fellowship class year 2020
Program Elder Justice Program

The Project

Caitlin will provide civil legal services to elderly individuals who have experienced abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Additionally, she will increase awareness and training in identifying and addressing the issue of elder abuse throughout Northwest Texas.

As the senior citizen population rapidly grows, it is critical to expand awareness and legal services to rural areas where vulnerable populations are often isolated, increasing the likelihood of some form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Since high school, Caitlin has been passionate about the disability rights movement. She has seen firsthand how a label or diagnosis too often leads to an assumption of incapacity and deprivation of civil rights and liberties.

Fellowship Plans

Caitlin will conduct in-depth research to identify the forms of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevalent in Lubbock and in rural communities throughout Northwest Texas. She will reach out to work with local non-profits and organizations which serve senior citizens in the community and conduct community education events. In addition, she will conduct trainings for other professionals and organizations to be aware of and report any signs of elder abuse or exploitation. Throughout the Fellowship, Caitlin will provide direct legal services through screenings, brief service/legal advice, and full-scope representation in civil cases for elderly victims of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.