Former Attorney General Speaks on Guardianship

Former Attorney General Speaks on Guardianship By Hon. Scott Harshbarger Former Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts “Guardianship” today means both less and more than it has in the past. Less, because we now understand that decisional support is a spectrum: one size does not fit all, and informal supportive relationships with friends, family…

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The Benefits of Guardianship: Rita’s Story

As a college student, I was required to complete an internship in order to receive my certificate in Gerontology. Like many of my classmates, I assumed I would help in Activities at a Nursing Facility or do some administrative work at a Council on Aging. But when my advisor suggested that I intern at an…

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Probate and Family Court Partners With Non-Profit on Pilot Project to Create Massachusetts’ First Public Guardian

The Probate and Family Court today announced that it is partnering with Public Guardian Services (PGS), a Massachusetts non-profit organization, to implement a pilot project for a public guardian in Massachusetts. The pilot begins July 6th and will be implemented in Suffolk and Plymouth Counties. Public Guardian Services is lead by Executive Director Sandy Hovey,…

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A Guardianship Policy for the 21st Century

A Guardianship Policy for the 21st Century by Peter Macy, Ed.M, J.D. The Massachusetts Guardianship Policy Institute (the “Institute”) advocates two important reforms to the guardianship/conservatorship system in Massachusetts: (1) a public guardian for the most isolated and indigent individuals in need; and (2) a state office to oversee the quality, impact, cost‐effectiveness and adequacy…

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Decision Making Conference Recap

Models for Decisional Help Balancing Autonomy and Risk By Heather Connors, Ph.d. Photo Credit: Corinna Spinale One of the greatest challenges of serving as someone’s guardian or conservator is knowing when to limit interventions, so as to maintain the individual’s independence and dignity, without unduly risking harm to him or her, or to others.

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A National Perspective on Guardianship and Decisional Support Conference Recap

A National Perspective on Guardianship and Decisional Support From: Heather Connors, Ph.D., and Traci Cucinotta, MSW, MBE To: Conference Participants and Institute Subscribers Report Date: January 19, 2018 Event Date: December 6, 2017 Abstract “A National Perspective on Guardianship and Decisional Support,” co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Guardianship Policy Institute and the National Association of Social Workers,…

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Fourth Colloquium Report

Fourth Colloquium:  Public Guardianship in an Age of Self-Advocacy SUMMARY REPORT From:    Peter M. Macy, Guardian Community Trust, Inc. To:          Registrants and Subscribers to the Colloquium Series Date:     July 21, 2017 The Institute’s Fourth Colloquium, “Public Guardianship in an Age of Self-Advocacy,” held in Boston on June 23, 2017, lived up to its purpose: it…

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