Corporate Guardianship: Training and Resources

Initial training

Per Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 85.10(1), before performing the duties of a guardian, each guardian representative shall receive training that includes all of the following:

• Job responsibilities.
• Prevention and reporting of ward abuse, neglect and misappropriation of ward property.
• Ward's rights and grievance procedures contained in chs. 54 and 55, Stats., s. DHS 85.13, and ch. DHS 94.
• Information regarding the needs and services for each ward for whom the guardian representative is responsible.
• Information about local resources available to meet the needs of wards.
• Agency policies and procedures.

These resources can help meet the initial training requirement:

• Wisconsin State Guardianship Training - This training is provided by the University of Wisconsin Green Bay and is offered at no cost. The training contains a variety of modules covering the duties and responsibilities of guardianship under the law. Completing the training takes approximately two hours.
• Guardianship Support Center presents:
  • Guardian of Person: A Checklist to Get Started (PDF)
  • Guardian of Estate: A Checklist to Get Started (PDF)
  • May a Guardian Consent to the Withholding or Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Medical Treatment from Her or His Ward (PDF)
• Wisconsin Guardianship Association presents:
  • Guardianship Training Series: Guardianship 101 - This video contains the basics of why guardianship exists in Wisconsin, types of guardianship, duties and powers of guardians, rights of wards, "best-interest" standard, protective placement, and statutory change history.
  • Guardianship Training Series: A Day in the Life of a Corporate Guardian - If you ever wondered about who guardians interact and partner with during their day or what actions guardians take as part of their duties, this video is for you. This video was originally developed by Wisconsin Guardianship Association as a training for the Wisconsin Register in Probate Association.
  • Guardianship Training Series: Probate Court - Every ward has the rights related to guardianship proceedings. This video provides an overview of Register in Probate's expectations of guardians.
  • Preserving the Rights of Individuals Under Guardianship: Panel Discussion - This panel discussion covers roles and responsibilities of guardians to uphold wards' rights, identifies rights categories, provides examples of interventions to support and enhance wards' rights, explains appropriate processes for rights limitations or denials, and points out resources available to guardians.
  • End of Life Panel - This video features end of life decision-making scenarios processed through the unique perspectives of attorneys, a physician, and a long-term care Ombudsman.
  • Financial Abuse - This presentation defines elder financial exploitation, teaches how to recognize and reduce exploitation risk, discloses bank risk minimization efforts, and discusses how banks can partner with other stakeholders to protect vulnerable elders.

Continuing education

Per Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 85.10(2), each guardian representative shall complete 20 hours of training every 24 calendar months. The training shall be relevant to the guardian representative's job assignment. It also will be designed to help the employee better meet the needs of the wards served.

The following resources include corporate guardianship peer recommendations:

• A local aging and disability resource center (ADRC) "provides information on a variety of programs and services. That includes long-term care options." ADRCs serve every county in Wisconsin. This ADRC service map (PDF) illustrates service areas and annotates where tribal partners and ADRC tribal specialists are available.
• Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) "is the designated Protection and Advocacy agency for Wisconsin… DRW provides informational training and other learning opportunities for consumers, family members, attorneys and others who support people in the disability community. Disability Rights trainers offer effective strategies to strengthen individual advocacy skills, improve the system's response to issues of access, broaden the understanding of disability rights and more."
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office responds to issues and complaints for Wisconsinites aged 60 or older who live in licensed or certified community-based living facilities, nursing homes, or get services from managed long-term care programs.
• Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc (GWAAR) "is a nonprofit agency committed to supporting the successful delivery of aging programs and services in 70 counties and 11 tribes in Wisconsin. We provide aging lead agencies in our service area with training, technical assistance, and advocacy to ensure the availability and quality of programs and services to meet the changing needs of older people in Wisconsin."
• The Alzheimer's Association - The Alzheimer's Association Education Center offers Alzheimer's and dementia online, on-demand training in English and Spanish.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) "offers educational classes, support groups, and presentations for Wisconsinites impacted by mental illness."
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) "practitioner training offers tools, training, and technical assistance to practitioners in the fields of mental health and substance use disorders."
• Diverse & Resilient is a Milwaukee based 501(c)(3) organization. Presentations and other tools are available. For example: "The LGBTQ Competency Toolkit is a great introductory resource for providers, community members, and allies to build their skills using LGBTQ-inclusive language. The toolkit reviews basic LGBTQ terms and descriptions and provider 'Do's and Don'ts.'"
• The Hmong Institute is based in Dane County, Wisconsin. "Services include culturally competent direct service, advocacy, cultural training, technical assistance, and 1-on-1 consultation."
• Aging: Programs and Services for Older Adults features links to aging, disability, Medicaid, dementia, and other support programs available for Wisconsinites.
• Client Rights Office provides "guidance to people who are receiving services for a developmental disability, mental health, or substance use in both inpatient and outpatient settings."
• UW Extension "Extension's mission is to connect people with the University of Wisconsin. We teach, learn, lead and serve, transforming lives and communities." Local UW Extension offices offer educational programming which includes how to use FoodShare at farmer's markets.
• National Center on Law and Elder Rights (NCLER) "offers a National Legal Training Curriculum to the legal and aging network. Written materials accompany each training and are available for download." Guardians can sign-up for email notification of upcoming trainings and visit the archive of recorded trainings.
• National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) "is a national resource center dedicated to the prevention of elder maltreatment. The NCEA was first established by the U.S. Administration on Aging in 1988 as a demonstration project on abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Given permanent status in the 1992 amendments to Title II of the Older Americans Act, the NCEA provides professionals, policymakers, and the public information and resources on elder abuse prevention and response to help ensure that older adults age with dignity and respect, free from maltreatment." Resources include webinars, podcasts, publications, and a blog.

Resources

Guardianship associations

• Wisconsin Guardianship Association (WGA) - "The Wisconsin Guardianship Association provides a forum to exchange ideas, provide education and continue open communication for groups and individuals interested in providing or furthering guardianship services." Membership is available at a rate per calendar year.
• National Guardianship Association (NGA) - "NGA was created to strengthen guardianship through quality assurance, networking, and education. Members choose to join because NGA supports and educates guardians, promotes professional standards, offers education events and materials, and facilitates networking. Membership is available to anyone interested in improving guardianship practice." Membership is available at different rates for individuals and organizations.

Guardianship Support Center

Guardianship Support Center - The Guardianship Support Center provides multiple resources to help guardians. Get information and assistance on issues related to adult guardianship, protective placement, advance directives, and more from the Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center. You can also sign up for their quarterly electronic newsletter.

Corporate Guardianship Program

The Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) Corporate Guardianship Program (CGP) answers corporate guardianship questions and can recommend training resources. Contact CGP at dhsdqacguardianship@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Newsletters and listservs

Staying informed is easy! Sign up for email delivery of newsletters and listservs.

• Guardianship Support Center (GSC) quarterly newsletter The Guardian - The Guardian covers points of interest, news, helpful highlights, and Wisconsin case law affecting surrogate decision-making.
• DQA listserv emails - Subscribe for topical and provider targeted emails from DQA. Learn more about DQA email lists.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) email updates - Subscribe to receive information you elect from newsletters, announcements, grant information, blog, and more options.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) email updates - "CMS is happy to offer a free email subscription service, which allows CMS.HHS.gov users to receive notifications by e-mail when new information is available. With a subscription profile, you get the updated information on the items of interest to you automatically without having to return to the website and check for changes."