Adult Guardianship Three-Hour Course Offerings

This course examines some common scenarios to demonstrate concrete steps guardians can take to advocate and resolve conflicts for their wards. As a result of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify how advocacy and conflict resolution are addressed in the Rules of Superintendence;
2. Explain how effective communication and family dynamics impact advocacy and conflict;
3. Apply advocacy and conflict resolution skills to common scenarios; and
4. List resources that can assist with advocacy and conflict resolution in various situations.

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Alzheimer’s disease is now the sixth leading cause of death among all U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore, the impact of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia is likely to increase significantly in the next few decades as our population ages. Because cognitive decline is a primary symptom, many people with the disease will need a guardian to manage their affairs. This three hour course provides an overview of the symptoms, detection, and treatment for Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including ways to detect it early and slow the progression. It also provides practical suggestions for relating to people with dementia as well as resources to help both patients and caregivers.

As a result of participating in this course, you should be able to:

1. Identify signs, symptoms, and treatments for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
2. Explain methods for interacting with individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia
3. Describe resources available to help caregivers and patients

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Elder abuse is common, and older people under guardianship are often at an elevated risk. This online course will provide participants with an understanding of the signs and symptoms of elder abuse, the misconceptions and myths associated with elder abuse, and the skills necessary to respond effectively to the needs of the older people they serve.

 As a result of participating in this course, guardians will be able to:

• Identify signs of possible abuse, neglect and exploitation of an older victim;
• Examine the unique barriers that challenge older victims and ways to overcome these barriers;
• Explain methods for reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation; and
• Describe ways to protect seniors from scams, exploitation and abuse.

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Guardians are used to making difficult decisions on behalf of the person under their care. However, the decisions that arise at the end of life can be the most emotional and overwhelming challenges guardians face. This three hour course will help guardians prepare for the complex choices that go along with the final illness and death of a loved one.

As a result of participating in this course, guardians will be able to:

1. Identify legal responsibilities of guardians when the person under their care is ill or passes away;
2. Discuss medical decisions associated with serious illness and palliative care;
3. Explain factors to consider when selecting long term care facilities or hospice care; and
4. Describe options related to memorial services and the final disposition of the person under your care.

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The National Guardianship Association's (NGA's) mission is to advance the nationally recognized standard of excellence in guardianship. As part of that mission, the NGA establishes and promotes nationally recognized standards that encourage the highest levels of integrity and competence among guardians. This webinar will feature guardians and other professionals from around Ohio who examine each of the 10 NGA Ethical Principles in detail. It will also include a live question and answer session with Hon. James T. Walther of Lorain County Probate Court.

As a result of participating in this course, guardians will be able to:

1. Describe ways guardians can treat the people they serve with the greatest amount of dignity;
2. Identify how to maximize the person’s freedom, goals, and independence while involving the person in decision making; and
3. Examine the importance of managing finances and property on behalf of the person.

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Every year, thousands of consumers fall prey to financial scams that rob them of millions of dollars. Among the most targeted are the elderly and disabled. This 3-hour course will provide guardians with strategies, tools, and resources for avoiding the most common scams and offer remedies available to those who are the victims of financial victimization.

 As a result of participating in this course, guardians will be able to:

•  Identify common scams and how to avoid them;
• Respond to people involved in scams;
• Identify how to report scams and abuse; and
• Identify how to prevent scams and abuse.

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How can a guardian navigate the complex web of government benefits to ensure the person under their care has everything they need and everything for which they are eligible? This 3-hour course explores the basics of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, Medicaid, and benefits for veterans. As a result of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe benefits available through programs administered by the Social Security Administration, the Ohio Department of Medicaid, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Ohio Department of Veterans Services;
• Identify whether persons under their care are eligible for benefits;
• Take the appropriate steps to apply for benefits; and
• Find resources to further assist the persons under their care.

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This three hour course is designed to provide guardians of adults the fundamentals of managing finances and preserving the income and assets of a person under their care.

As a result of participating in this course, you should be able to:

1. Identify the steps to locate the assets of a person under care
2. Complete an accurate inventory
3. Identify the steps to complete monthly records in order to support accurate annual accounts
4. Identify the steps to properly manage the finances of a person under care
5. Complete an accurate Annual Guardian’s Account

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Locating suitable housing can be a challenge for guardians and the people they serve. This 3-hour course will assist guardians with navigating community-based housing options in Ohio. Faculty will focus on potential considerations when selecting housing, housing programs specifically designed for people with disabilities, subsidized housing options, use of fair housing tools to remove barriers to housing, and lease signing. The course will also include a demonstration of the Ohio Housing Locator.

 As a result of participating in this course, guardians will be able to:

•  Describe practical considerations related to searching for housing;
• Summarize legal rights and protections related to housing, including reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications;
• Explain housing programs available to specific populations through Ohio state agencies;
• Discuss subsidized housing programs offered through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and;
• Identify unique housing issues that may arise for guardians, such as determining who signs the lease.

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This three-hour course is designed to provide guardians of adults with the fundamentals of the system to support individuals with developmental disabilities.

 As a result of participating in this course, guardians will be able to:

• Describe the core elements of the system in place to support adults with developmental disabilities;
• Identify the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities;
• Identify the criteria used to determine eligibility for County Board Developmental Disability programs;
• Discuss the roles and responsibilities of the team to support an individual with a developmental disability;
• Recognize the eligibility criteria for available services; and
• Recognize key approaches to resolve disputes.

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As a guardian, you are often called upon to make decisions involving medical care. This course provides information about effectively managing medications, including questions to ask, tools to help you learn about specific drugs, and information about specific classes of drugs. It also provides an ethical framework that will help you understand your role as an advocate. You will learn questions to ask and methods that ensure you communicate the wishes and best interests of the person under your care. Also included is an overview of the roles that various health care providers play in a hospital setting.

As a result of participating in this Judicial College Medications and Medical Advocacy Course, you should be able to:

1. Be an advocate when evaluating medications and medical procedures in terms of safety and quality of life
2. Learn about tools that help you better understand potential risks of drug therapy
3. Gain confidence to approach medical staff with questions or concerns
4. Understand and navigate the hospital system
5. Ethically represent the wishes and best interests of the person for whom you are a guardian

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Mental illness can be debilitating and mystifying for both the people that suffer from it and for their loved ones. Additionally, it impacts a broad section of our society. According to government statistics, every year 4-5 percent of Ohioans suffer from a severe mental illness. This three-hour course will help guardians build their understanding of mental health conditions, develop coping techniques, and better advocate for the people under their care.

As a result of participating in this course, you should be able to:

1. Discuss mental health conditions that most often result in guardianship as well as their treatment;
2. Explain methods for interacting with people suffering from mental illness;
3. Describe mental health court programs available in Ohio; and
4. Identify resources outside the court system to help people under your care.

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Guardians often find themselves in the challenging dilemma of remaining person-centered while navigating legal lines and maintaining protective responsibilities. This course focuses on how to best proceed in scenarios that don’t have single, clear, black-and-white solutions. As a result of this course, participants will be able to:

• Prioritize the goals, needs, and preferences of individuals under their care, per national standards, even in challenging situations;
• Follow legal and ethical guidelines in confronting issues with individuals under their care;
• Use decision-making models in determining the appropriate resolution to those issues; and
• Interact with the courts as required or appropriate in resolving issues.

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Financial management is a core responsibility for guardians, and the stakes can be high when the person under your care receives means-tested government benefits. This recorded webinar covers several primary methods for protecting the assets of disabled people, including Ohio STABLE accounts, special needs trusts (SNTs), and other planning strategies.

As a result of participating in this course, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the benefits, limits, and requirements of STABLE accounts; and
2. Describe how SNTs preserve benefits while accomplishing other goals for the person and their family.

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Athens County Probate Court
1 South Court Street, Athens, OH 45701
Open to all guardians.
To register, please contact Connie Sprague at 740.592.3268.

By appointment.

Butler County Probate Court
101 High Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45011
Open to all guardians.
To register, please contact Monica Coleman at 513.887.3394 or Monica.Coleman@bcohio.gov.

By appointment:

• Navigating Through Ethically Challenging Situations

Carroll County Probate and Juvenile Court
119 S. Lisbon St., Carrollton, Ohio 44615
Open to local guardians only.
To register, please contact Dawn Lefevre at 330.627.2323 or dlefevre@carrollcountyohio.us

By appointment:

• Advocacy and Conflict Resolution
• Navigating Through Ethically Challenging Situations

Clermont County Probate Court
2379 Clermont Center Drive, Batavia, Ohio 45103
Open to all guardians.
To register, please contact Rhonda Piquard at 513.732.7243 or rpiquard@clermontcountyohio.gov.

By appointment:

• Advocacy and Conflict Resolution
• End of Life Decisions
• Ethics

Defiance County Senior Center
140 Broadway Ave., Defiance, Ohio 43512
Open to all guardians.
To register, please contact Lisa DeTray at 419.782.4181 or ldetray@defiancecounty.oh.gov.

• April 2, 1 - 4 p.m., Guardianship Continuing Education (covering the topic of Rights of Wards); Registration deadline: March, 21, 2025
• Oct. 22, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Guardianship Continuing Education (covering the topic of Financial Information on Wards); Registration deadline: Oct. 10, 2025

Blanchard Valley Center/Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities
1700 East Sandusky Street, Findlay, Ohio 45840
Open to all guardians.
To register, please contact Denise DeVault at 419.422.6387.

By appointment:

• Introduction to the Developmental Disabilities System

Ottawa County Probate & Juvenile Court
315 Madison Street, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
Open to all guardians.
To register, please contact Shanna Strouse at 419.734.6834 or sstrouse@co.ottawa.oh.us. Limited spots available.

By appointment:

• Elder Abuse

Richland County Probate Court
Open to all guardians.
To register, please contact Claudia Raff at 419.774.5583 or craff@richlandcountyoh.gov.

• May 10, 8:30 - 11:45 a.m., Financial Victimization
• May 10, 12:30 - 3:45 p.m., Housing Decision Making
• Nov. 15, 8:30 - 11:45 a.m., Mental Illness
• Nov. 15, 12:30 - 3:45 p.m., Advocacy and Conflict Resolution

Wayne County Probate Court
107 W. Liberty Street, Wooster, Ohio, 44691
Open to all guardians.
To register, please contact L. Rae Banks at 330.287.5578.

By appointment.