The National Guardianship Association’s annual conference was held October 22-25, 2022, in Dallas, Texas. The conference is held annually each October and provides valuable continuing education opportunities for guardians and conservators. Sessions this year focused on reviews of legislative and policy changes across the country, frameworks for decision-making, serious mental health issues, and elder justice innovation. This year, four Associate Public Guardians and three administrative team members attended the conference.

Beyond the educational sessions and networking opportunities with other public guardianship programs across the county, the membership body of the National Guardianship Association voted on the proposed revisions to the Standards of Practice. The draft revisions were distributed several months prior to the conference, and members had time to review, provide feedback, and attend webinars to receive more information about the changes. The membership body voted to adopt the revisions during the Annual Membership Meeting.

The Office of Public Guardian utilizes the Standards of Practice in its policies and procedures. With the adoption of revised standards, the OPG will begin to identify potential policy adjustments beginning in early 2023.

Ms. Ludden also serves as a Trustee for the Center for Guardianship Certification. Due to the pandemic, meetings of the CGC Trustees have been virtual. The CGC Trustees met on October 26 after the conclusion of the conference, which enabled Ms. Ludden to meet her fellow board members in person for the first time. Ms. Ludden’s term began in January 2021 and she will remain a Board member until December 31, 2024.