The North Dakota Department of Human Services' West Central Human Service Center in Bismarck has been awarded a $10,000 federal grant to develop an Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition within its 10-county service region.

Once developed, the coalition will involve Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux counties.

North Dakota is one of 10 awardees nationwide to receive the National Center on Elder Abuse grant to participate in the Elder Justice Community Collaborations project.

For information about the coalition, contact Cherry Schmidt at 328-8787 or cschmidt@;nd.gov.