Joy Solomon, Esq, was the co-founder of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Elder Justice. Since 2004, Joy has provided leadership and vision to develop and grow the Weinberg Center from concept to a well-regarded national model. Her expert strategic planning and consultation has been at the helm of the national replication of the shelter model, in a now burgeoning movement. This includes spearheading the formation of the SPRiNG (Shelter Programs: Regional. National. Global.) Alliance™, a national network of elder abuse shelters and community of practice, based on the Weinberg model.
Joy is a frequent speaker on issues concerning elder abuse and elder justice, including testimony to the United States Senate, Special Commission on Aging. Joy has also designed and provided extensive outreach and training to a diverse array of professionals, and as part of her global strategy to create elder abuse awareness among non-professionals, has created trainings that focus on the non-traditional trainee, including doormen, meals-on-wheels deliverers, and pharmacists.
Screening for elder abuse detection in health care has been a priority for Joy. In addition to developing evidence based screening protocols in long term care, Weinberg Center Risk and Abuse Prevention Screen (WC-RAPS), Joy has co-authored and published research papers relating to evidence based screening for elder abuse, co-authored numerous articles on elder justice, including a law review article, and most recently co-authored a chapter in a book on older adult safety.
Joy’s work in long term care also includes an active role in the creation of sexual expression policies for residents, a resilience/well-being program for staff and caregivers, and a fresh look at death and dying in long term care. Joy also developed a unique domestic violence initiative for all employees which includes training, human resource support, and a referral network. Like the Weinberg Center and many of its innovative projects, these programs are easily replicable.
Joy was a founder of the Elder Abuse Committee of the New York State Bar Association. In 2017, Joy was awarded the National Crime Victims Service Award by the United States Department of Justice.
Joy was previously Director of Elder Abuse Services at the Pace Women’s Justice Center. For nearly a decade, Joy investigated and prosecuted a variety of crimes including child abuse, fraud, and elder abuse as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan.
Joy is certified in mindfulness meditation and breathing, yoga, trauma-informed care and older adult mediation. Joy also has training as a death doula.