Megan Wood

The Project

Megan will provide holistic, client-centered legal services to victims of elder abuse, and strengthen and improve the network of existing services to prevent abuse and serve victims.

The project addresses barriers for older adults seeking services to combat abuse and exploitation, as well as barriers for Adult Protective Services (APS) and other social service agencies seeking to prevent and stop the abuse. Megan plans to serve older adults experiencing abuse and improve collaboration with APS and other providers through outreach and training.

Megan’s legal career has consisted entirely of public interest work, and she is proud to continue that work through this project. Megan has worked for Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) since 2011 doing a variety of civil legal aid work, including protective orders, evictions, and public benefits cases. Her experience with the legal issues that impact poor and marginalized people in her community will serve her well in focusing specifically on the issue of elder abuse.  Megan hopes to improve the coordination of services in the counties within her project and to better PSLS’ resources and response to this legal issue.

Fellowship Plans

Megan is one of two Elder Justice Program Fellows at PSLS serving a 17-county rural area in central Illinois. Megan will focus on direct services to victims of elder abuse, as well as education and outreach to seniors, social service providers, and law enforcement.