4/24/2014 Guardian Qualifications: A Journey Not a Destination - - PDF document

4/24/2014 1 Guardian Qualifications: A Journey Not a Destination

Mindi R. Blanchard, M.Ed., CPG Bridge Builders, Ltd/ The Guardian Institute Sequim, Washington Eloisa Roses Ramos, LCSW, NCG Barry University/ Office of the Pubic Guardian Davie, Florida

Beginning the Journey Beginning the Journey

Guardian Internships through local colleges and universities

Definition of an Intern

• Individuals regardless of age who are pursuing

guardianship as a profession.

• Individuals in social work or similar majors who
• Individuals in social work or similar majors who

are required to complete an internship or practicum for the degree requirements.

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Obj ectives

• Interns would learn the basic laws and reporting

requirements for guardians.

• Interns would learn how to appropriately
• Interns would learn how to appropriately

advocate for vulnerable adults.

• Interns would learn techniques for managing

challenging behaviors.

• Interns would learn techniques for managing

challenging family dynamics.

Basic Qualifications

• Undergraduate student OR an individual

interested in becoming a guardian AND having a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field bachelor s degree or higher in a related field.

• Pass the required criminal background check.
• Be bondable to the amount required.
• Pass an in-depth interview with the director of

the program.

Basic Guardian Training

• Basic information on guardianship law and how

it applies to the day-to-day service of vulnerable adults adults.

• Two hours of direct supervision by the

supervising guardian each week.

• Basic information on ethics and conflicts of

interest.

• Learning about available resources and how to

access them.

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Basic Guardian Training

• Basic information regarding court forms for

which the guardian is responsible.

• Completing a clinical training that covers
• Completing a clinical training that covers

boundaries, dementia behaviors, mental health issues and family dynamics.

• Successfully complete the basic guardian

training course test.

Level 2 of the Journey Level 2 of the Journey

Provisional to Registered Guardian

Obj ectives

• Provide supervised experiential training for

aspiring guardians.

• Provides a certain amount of autonomy while
• Provides a certain amount of autonomy while

still having oversight by an experienced guardian.

• Provide a less disruptive transition of the case

load back to the supervising guardian should the Provisional Guardian be unable to continue for any reason.

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Obj ectives

• Provide training in business concepts and how

they apply to a guardianship business.

Qualifications of a Provisional Guardian

• Successfully completes a guardian internship.
• Has been hired by a supervisory guardian or

approved guardian agency approved guardian agency.

• If wishing to start a guardianship business,

successfully completes the guardian business training.

• Has a good credit score.
• Has no felony convictions.

Qualifications of a Provisional Guardian

• Has no misdemeanor convictions of moral

turpitude.

• Possesses an undergraduate degree or higher
• Possesses an undergraduate degree or higher

from an accredited institution.

• Successfully answers screening questions that

include personal and professional boundaries and creative problem-solving.

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Provisional Guardian Training

• Instruction on the unique requirements for the

geographical locations served.

• In-depth training on guardianship law and the
• In-depth training on guardianship law and the

application of these laws.

• In-depth training on ethics, conflicts of interest

and common guardianship problems and how to avoid them.

• Case study discussions of the application of

guardian ethics.

Provisional Guardian Training

• Case study discussions on challenging client

situations; brainstorming various way to resolve them and how to find the resources necessary to them and how to find the resources necessary to accomplish a successful outcome.

• In-depth training on the responsibilities of a

professional guardian in all aspects of the Ward’s care.

Provisional Guardian Training

• The Provisional Guardian’s responsibilities to

their supervisors and what they should expect from their supervisors from their supervisors.

• If planning to own a business, successfully

completing the guardian business training.

• Pass the Registered Guardian test proved by the

Centers for Guardian Certification.

4/24/2014 6 Level 3 of the Journey Level 3 of the Journey

Master or Veteran Guardian

Obj ectives

• Provide supervision to Provisional Guardians

and ongoing as-needed mentoring to Registered Guardians.

• Provide consulting services for challenging

cases, guardianship or in the private sector.

• Work on special projects that may be grant

funded.

• Provide stability for Wards should the

Provisional or Registered Guardian be unable to continue.

Qualifications

• Successfully complete the Master Guardian

training or specialized training designated by the governing agency governing agency.

• Demonstrated proficiency in fiduciary

management, care management, resource identification, behavior management.

• Demonstrated ability to provide professional

reports to the court that are well done and filed in a timely manner.

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Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to successfully run a

guardianship business, if they own one.

Veteran Guardian Training

• Leadership training.
• Training regarding the responsibilities of the

Veteran Guardian Veteran Guardian.

• Guidelines for supervisors.

S ervices Provided by Veteran Guardians

• Leading meetings for Registered and other

Veteran Guardians that cover new information and issues and issues.

• Provide insight to the regulatory agency about

the industry of guardianship.

• Consulting services for lay and professional

guardians.

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Options for Training Programs

• Registered Guardian – Center for Guardianship

Certification.

• Master Guardian – Center for Guardianship
• Master Guardian – Center for Guardianship

Certification.

• Develop a training based on an already

established training program.

A Guardianship Association

Questions?