Fundamentals of Guardianship Today Series
This virtual instructor-led training, divided into five modules totaling 16 hours of learning, features expanded content, case studies, polls, breakout sessions, and takeaways like job aids to be immediately implemented into practice. New and experienced guardians may register for the full series, or individual modules.
The full series is eligible for 14.5 hours of continuing education credits from the Center for Guardianship Certification.
Register for the full series to save $135 vs. registering for each module separately!
Learn More and Register for Individual Modules
Module 1: Guardianship From the Beginning
Thursday, September 3, 2026
11:00 am – 3:00 pm Eastern
Lesson one provides a comprehensive look at the work guardians are expected to perform. During this four-hour training, participants will see how NGA’s updated Standards of Practice and Fundamentals of Guardianship books lay the groundwork for excellence in guardianship. Participants will discuss and define fundamental guardianship terms and definitions as they apply to four wildly different cases, analyze ways that good guardians make decisions in sample financial and medical situations, and receive three new infographic job aids that help make life at work easier (and learn how and when to use them.)
This module is eligible for 3.5 hours of continuing education credits from the Center for Guardianship Certification.
Module 2: Guardian of The Person: Skills, Tools & Actions (Part A)
Thursday, September 24, 2026
11:00 am – 2:00 pm Eastern
Lesson two includes strategies for understanding the unique needs of each client and taking action using a person-centered approach. During this three -hour training, participants will learn how to get to know clients, build trust relationships, and take urgent actions quickly. Participants will work with best practices for getting organized right away, including a sample intake form and key information guardians need early in a new guardianship.
This module is eligible for 2.75 hours of continuing education credits from the Center for Guardianship Certification.
Module 3: Guardian of The Person: Skills, Tools & Actions (Part B)
Thursday, October 8, 2026
11:00 am – 2:00 pm Eastern
Lesson three addresses actions that guardians of the person are expected to take, including creating effective written care plans with achievable client goals for clients at all stages of life. During this three-hour training, participants will practice acting as surrogate decision-makers with effective strategic plans and well-documented processes. Participants will consider varied assessment tools and discover best practices for making medical decisions that include thorough understanding of issues, treatments, outcomes with well-documented explanations of a decision-making process.
This module is eligible for 2.75 hours of continuing education credits from the Center for Guardianship Certification.
Module 4: Guardian of The Estate: Skills, Tools & Actions
Thursday, October 22, 2026
11:00 am – 2:00 pm Eastern
During this three-hour training, participants will work through standards for guardians of the estate, steps for identifying and marshalling assets, creating documentation, and taking actions to protect clients’ financial well-being. Participants will discuss who gets a guardian of the estate, what is expected of guardians in this important role, best practices for understanding clients’ values and goals, procedures for marshalling assets, and completing documentation. Participants will practice working with case study clients to address simple and challenging issues including budgeting, working with families, property management, and conflict of interest situations.
This module is eligible for 2.75 hours of continuing education credits from the Center for Guardianship Certification.
Module 5: The Rights of Adults with Guardians: From Beginning to End
Thursday, November 5, 2026
11:00 am – 2:00 pm Eastern
During this three-hour training, participants will focus on protecting the legal and human rights of each client. They will discuss case studies that involve explaining a client’s rights, recognizing when rights are being threatened, and taking action as needed to modify or end guardianship. Working with NGA’s Bill of Rights and Standards of Practice, participants will understand when to seek modification and/or termination of guardianship and learn about interstate transfer of guardianship as it applies to case study situations. In addition, participants will understand actions to take in situations where a guardian has resigned or needs to be removed, and work through client situations where abuse must be stopped and reported.
This module is eligible for 2.75 hours of continuing education credits from the Center for Guardianship Certification.