Skip to main content

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:

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.'"
  • National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) is a nonprofit organization with a mission “to advocate for improved comprehensive health, social services and economic wellbeing for American Indian and Alaska Native Elders.” NICOA provides a resources webpage and collaborated with National Council on Disability to publish a toolkit to increase cultural competent care for tribal members: Understanding Disabilities in American Indian & Alaska Native Communities Toolkit.
  • International Association for Indigenous Aging (IA2) is a nonprofit educational association “focused on improving the health and well-being of American Indians, Alaska Natives and other indigenous people as they move through the aging spectrum.” IA2 offers a resource webpage. Guardians will want to visit the tribal hotlines/helplines webpage with an interactive map to help connect wards who are tribal members with culturally competent and sensitive supports and resources within their tribe.
  • 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.

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 certification

Note: certification is not required in Wisconsin.

  • Center for Guardianship Certification - “The Mission of the Center for Guardianship Certification is to provide comprehensive certification programs for guardians and other fiduciaries.” Becoming a National Certified Guardian (NCG) requires completion of 20 hours of coursework, an eligible background check result, and passing a certification exam. Maintaining certification requires continuing education on a two-year cycle.

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.

Glossary

 
Last revised April 7, 2025