The National Guardianship Association’s annual conference was held October 23-26, 2021, in Reno, Nevada. The conference is held annually each October and provides valuable continuing education opportunities for guardians and conservators. Attendees learned of the National Guardianship Summit recommendations, obtained valuable financial and medical advocacy training, and participated in reflections related to the pandemic’s impact on the work guardians and conservators do.

To date, two Associate Public Guardians have attained their national certifications, while others are working towards certification. APGs working towards their certification will be able to utilize their credits from this year’s conference to qualify for the exam. Maintaining certification as a National Certified Guardian is important for APGs like Lisa Ludden from the Norfolk service area. She states, “Each year, NGA provides continuing education that provides new updates and changes for guardians, as well as educational materials to continue to promote learning opportunities. Being a nationally certified guardian is an honor for me, to know that I am participating to my fullest ability and in turn being a greater advocate for those I serve.”

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.

Erin Wiesen, Nebraska Office of Public Guardian