October 14 – 17, 2023
Caribe Royale
Orlando, Florida
National Conference on Guardianship
Welcome to the National Guardianship Association’s 2023 National Conference on Guardianship. As you’ve come to expect from NGA, this year’s program features outstanding presentations that will appeal to professional and family guardians, public and private guardians, and participants at every level of experience.
NGA is planning a separate program, introduced in 2022, that has been developed for guardianship investigators, auditors, and other professionals who monitor and investigate guardianship.
This conference is being offered in person. NGA will adhere to any federal, state, or local guidelines related to the status of the pandemic at the time of the event.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 | ||||
4:00pm – 5:30pm | State Affiliates Meeting | |||
5:30pm – 6:30pm | Welcome Reception Greet old friends and make new connections as participants gather to kick off this year’s event! |
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15 | ||||
7:00am – 5:30pm | Registration Area Open | |||
7:00am – 7:45am | Breakfast | |||
7:00am – 8:00am | New Member Breakfast | |||
8:05am – 8:15am | Welcome and Opening Remarks – Tracey Bowles, 2023 Conference Chair | |||
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9:45am – 10:15am | Break with Exhibitors | |||
10:15am – 11:30am | Concurrent Breakout Sessions | |||
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11:30am – 12:45pm | Networking Lunch and Dessert with Exhibitors | |||
12:45pm – 2:00pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions | |||
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2:00pm – 2:30pm | Break with Exhibitors | |||
2:30pm – 3:45pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions | |||
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3:45pm – 4:15pm | Break with Exhibitors | |||
4:15pm – 5:30pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions | |||
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5:30pm – 7:30pm | Reception with Exhibitors and Live Auction Spend a fun evening with your fellow participants, visit with exhibitors who are available to answer your questions about their products and services, and enjoy some great food! A highlight of this event is the live auction of donated items; the proceeds benefit scholarships for public and family guardians. |
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 16 | ||||
7:30am – 5:00pm | Registration Area Open | |||
7:30am – 8:30am | Breakfast | |||
8:20am – 8:30am | Daily Opening Remarks Tracey Bowles, 2023 Conference Chair |
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8:45am – 10:00am | Concurrent Breakout Sessions | |||
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10:00am – 10:30am | Break with Exhibitors | |||
10:30am – 11:45pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions | |||
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11:45pm – 1:15pm | Lunch and Annual Meeting | |||
1:15pm – 1:30pm | Break with Exhibitors | |||
1:30pm – 2:45pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions | |||
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2:45pm – 3:15pm | Break with Exhibitors | |||
3:15pm – 4:30pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions | |||
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Open Evening to Enjoy Orlando | ||||
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17 | ||||
7:00am – 11:30am | Registration Area Open | |||
7:00am – 8:00am | Breakfast | |||
8:00am – 8:15am | Daily Opening Remarks – Tracey Bowles, 2023 Conference Chair | |||
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9:45am – 10:00am | Break | |||
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11:30am | Final Remarks, Conference Concludes |
These conference intensives are not included in the conference fee. Additional registration fees apply to attend these programs.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14 | |
7:00am – 5:00pm | Registration Area Open |
8:15am – 11:30am |
Choosing Your Words Changes the Situation: Setting and Holding Boundaries in High Conflict Cases Joyce McHugh, MSW, LSW, BSW | Advocate Care Services Guardians, social workers, and other professionals are not immune to the necessity of setting and holding boundaries with clients, family members, and others. In addition to a presentation and an interactive discussion, we will role-play and practice communicating boundaries in small groups. From phone calls and texts to emails and meetings, we will explore how to set and hold that invisible line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. We will explore how boundaries create realistic expectations and safety in practice. Participants will also identify through discussion how boundaries relate to the NASW code of ethics, such as the value of relationships and the dignity and worth of the person. If you struggle with how to set, communicate, and hold boundaries or want a robust reminder, this session is for you! |
8:15am – 11:30pm 12:45pm – 4:00pm |
A panel of legal guardianship experts will summarize the major reported court decisions and legislation in the United States during the past year that concern guardianship issues relevant to both professional and family guardians and the attorneys who represent them. |
12:45pm – 4:00pm |
You’ve been appointed guardian…now what? Participants in this session will have the opportunity to engage in lively discussion about the ins and outs of various types of guardianship cases – from the time of appointment through the long-term management of the case. This is an interactive session filled with the sharing of ideas about how best to serve those for whom a guardian has been appointed. The guardians on this panel bring with them perspectives from both the private and public sectors. Each is committed to the ethical implementation of guardianship services, focusing on the NGA Standards of Practice as well as knowledge and practice of alternatives to guardianship. If you have ever wanted more time at the conference to participate and share ideas, this panel invites you to join them. Bring your questions, scenarios, resources, and tools to help navigate this unique profession in which we are all privileged to work. |
FOR GUARDIANSHIP INVESTIGATORS:
National Investigator Training Leadership Class 002
NGA is proud to announce the second year of its certificate program, designed and intended for guardianship investigators, auditors, monitors, visitors, reviewers, law enforcement, adult protection, and prosecutorial investigators. This is specialized training for people serving in these professions, regardless of any local, state or federal role.
This four-day event will be held in conjunction with the National Conference on Guardianship.
Participants will:
- Learn the steps for investigating, documenting, and reporting guardianship complaints
- Identify common and uncommon red flags that warrant a deeper assessment
- Practice interview skills for uncovering the truth
- Review best practices for auditing and accounting
- Apply NGA Ethical Principles to case studies to determine appropriate resolutions
- Leave with more than 20 CEUs
Class size is limited, so participants should register early. The eligibility requirements to participate with this specialized training, including experience, education, and supervisory approval, are waived for the 2023 certificate program. The number of CEUs is tentative depending on a granting agency’s final approval.
The event schedule will mirror the schedule outlined for the National Conference on Guardianship, and participants will have access to the same meals, breaks, activities, and receptions as conference attendees. This program schedule includes full days of programming on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, and a half day or programming on Tuesday. Please see Registration page for fee details.
2023 Conference Registration
Caribe Royale Orlando
8101 World Center Drive | Orlando, Florida
Uncovering a Floridian escape where the sun is warm and the welcomes are even warmer, Caribe Royale is a destination that offers all the connection you could ever imagine right within reach. Recently revealed as part of a complete resort reimagination, Caribe Royale’s effortlessly warm ambiance covers every moment like never before. Discovering as much or as little as you’d like is all up to you.
Amenities include:
- Outdoor Swimming Pool with 75-Foot Waterslide
- Two Hot Tubs
- Tennis courts, basketball courts, and arcade
- Two-story, 3,500 square foot fitness center
- 1.5 mile walking and running trail
- Seven restaurants and bars
- Pet-friendly accommodations
- The Island Spa
- Bicycle rental and catch-and-release fishing
- Transportation to Disney theme parks & Disney Springs
- And more
For reservations, visit the reservation website
or
Call the hotel’s reservations line at 1-888-258-7501.
You must identify yourself as part of NGA’s 2023 conference to obtain the group rate.
It is important that you indicate any special rooming needs or arrangements at the time of this call.
Group Room Rate (rate does not include taxes)
$179.00 per night | Queen Double or Standard King
$199 per night | Deluxe King
The hotel has waived the resort fee for rooms in NGA’s block.
NGA cannot guarantee room availability. The discounted group rate concludes on Thursday, September 21. Rooms will be available at the discounted rate until that date, or until the block is filled, whichever comes first. Please be aware that the NGA room block usually fills well before the deadline. At that point, you are competing with other guests for rooms. Requests for reservations after September 21 will be accepted by the hotel on a space and rate availability basis. For those making reservations prior to the deadline, rooms may also be available at the group rate on the three days prior to and the three days after the actual conference to accommodate vacation planning.
NGA’s conference is approved for guardianship continuing education credits by the Center for Guardianship Certification (CGC) and any state that accepts CGC’s approval.
- The main program holds a potential of 14.50 credit hours.
- A full day of conference intensives adds another potential 6.0 hours.
Due to accrediting body approval processes, the specific number and type of credits accepted will not be defined until October. Keep in mind that not all hours will be deemed acceptable for all types of credit. Questions about continuing education credits can be sent to Kelly Dolan at education@guardianship.org or by calling NGA at 877-326-5992, ext. 2.
Proof of Attendance
NGA moderators and presenters will announce three codes during each session: one at the beginning of the session, another in the middle, and another near the end of the session. Codes MUST be submitted online to receive proof of attendance; should you miss one of the codes, you may record the time you entered or exited the room. Moderators, staff, and other attendees are unable to repeat these codes, as this is a requirement to verify attendance for continuing education credit; falsifying information can result in loss of education hours for all attendees. NGA strongly advises that all attendees submit attendance verification forms to document your participation should you need record of it in the future.
Verified Certificate of Attendance
The conference registration includes a verified certificate for every attendee who submits the proof of attendance codes online. This certificate can be submitted as proof of attendance to areas of education where NGA did not seek pre-approval.
State-Specific Guardianship Credits
NGA also applies to CE Broker (Florida Public Guardian Office) and Professional Guardian Certification Board of Washington State. Certificate fees apply to receive Guardianship CEUs for Florida and Washington.
Continuing Legal Education Credits
NGA has applied to offer Continuing Legal Education credit in Florida. Certificate fees apply to receive a legal certificate. Individuals outside of Texas seeking legal credits should contact their state boards prior to the conference to see if their state accepts Florida approval prior to purchase of the legal certificate.
Social Work Credits
NGA applies for social work credits with NASW. Verify that your state accepts the NASW approval. NGA is only able to offer CEUs through NASW for attendance at the live event. Certificate fees apply to receive a social work certificate.
Issuing of Certificates
To issue your certificate in a timely manner, NGA must receive your attendance code verification form promptly. Individuals submitting verification codes on or before November 3 will receive certificates by December 15. If proof of attendance code submissions are received after November 3, a late fee of $25 will be charged. Certificates can be downloaded online.
Sponsorships
From a diamond sponsorship of $10,000 to a general sponsorship of $500, NGA offers opportunities to fit the needs and budget of any business. Sponsorship opportunities are made available on a first-come, first-served basis through submission of NGA’s official sponsor and exhibitor agreement. You will be contacted if your selected sponsorship opportunity has already been confirmed, or you can check with the NGA business office for availability of sponsorship opportunities and benefit information.
Exhibit Space
Exhibitors can take advantage of numerous opportunities to network, educate, and interact with conference attendees on a regular basis. In addition, the exhibitor package offers a single conference registration. The 2022 conference hosted approximately 530 paid attendees.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Important Notes for all Sponsors
Sponsor benefits apply as stipulated above, provided that all information and a commitment for payment are received by NGA no later than Friday, September 8 (unless an earlier commitment date is noted).
Sponsor is responsible for providing an electronic/digital copy of the company logo and a company description. You cannot receive proper recognition on the website, app, signage, or in other acknowledgements, until the logo and description are received.
Sponsorship opportunities are made available on a first-come, first-served basis through submission of NGA’s official sponsor/exhibitor agreement. You will be contacted if your selected sponsorship opportunity has already been confirmed. You can also check with the NGA business office for availability of sponsorship opportunities and information about benefits. Email: registration@guardianship.org. Phone: 877-326-5992.
Exhibit Opportunities
The deadline to be eligible for exhibitor benefits is Friday, September 8.
Exhibit Package Fee
$1,000 for each tabletop exhibit package (diamond, platinum, and gold level sponsors are entitled to one free exhibit space.)
The Exhibit Package Includes
A single tabletop exhibit space with a draped and skirted 6’ X 30” table, two chairs, and a tent card sign. One complimentary exhibitor registration with:
- A printed attendee list and all other conference materials
- Access for all food functions held in the exhibit area (see schedule below)
- Admittance for one person to lunch on Sunday and Monday, and the welcome reception Saturday evening
- The opportunity to attend all educational sessions
- Discounted registration of $300.00 for additional exhibitors (includes breaks only; additional exhibitors wishing to attend meals and sessions must register for the applicable day(s) of the conference.)
Contract and Payment
Exhibit space is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Exhibit location is determined by NGA. Payment is due by Friday, September 8. No space will be guaranteed until payment in full is received.
Set-Up and Tear-Down
Exhibits must be operational by 9:30 am on Sunday, so that they are ready for the opening of the exhibit area at 9:45 am. All exhibits must remain in place until tear-down, which will begin at 3:45 pm on Monday. The exhibit area must be completely cleared no later than 5:00 pm on Monday. Please do not set up prior to 8:15 am on Sunday or leave materials after 5:00 pm on Monday.
Exhibit Furnishings
Each exhibit space is the equivalent of a six-foot tabletop. You must provide advance notice if your standing exhibit requires more space than allotted with a six-foot table or if you are using a floor display behind your table. Each space will be provided with one printed tent card, a table, and two chairs. The entire exhibit area is carpeted. If you require electric service for your tabletop exhibit, email registration@guardianship.org for info.
Hotel Processing & Handling Information
Packages will not be accepted if delivered prior to October 11. Please Note: If packages arrive prior to October 11, additional fees may apply for storing of shipped items.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received by Friday, September 8 will result in a refund of 75%; NGA will retain 25% for administrative services.
No refunds will be given after September 8.
For More Information
For all questions on sponsoring or exhibiting, contact NGA’s business office at registration@guardianship.org or 877-326-5992.