Conference Agenda

2:00 PM

Registration & Exhibit Hall Open

3:00 PM

Welcome

3:15 PM

Opening Keynote

Suggestions for Navigating Complex Ethical Issues in Guardianship| Paula Taliaferro, LSW, MGS

Guardians often find themselves in the challenging dilemma of remaining person centered while navigating legal lines and maintaining protective responsibilities.  This session will provide suggestions on decision making in guardianship situations that do not have single black and white solutions.

Participants will identify and describe the types of ethical decisions that Ohio’s guardians face in practice, be able to provide some guidelines for a guardian to consult when making a decision that has ethical components (Ohio’s Rule 66, NGA Standards, Ethical Guidelines of Field of practice), be able to propose a written framework of questions to consider in making complex ethical decisions, and be able to identify documentation and follow up suggestions after making a complex ethical decision.

4:45 PM

Break

5:00 PM

General Session

Learn, Connect & Grow: Learn best practices, connect with colleagues and grow in your role | J.J. Mesko-Kimmich, LPCC, MEd

This interactive professional development session is designed for guardians, social workers, and related professionals who support individuals under guardianship. Participants will describe current best practices in the field of guardianship and examine the professional roles involved in providing ethical and person-centered support.

Participants will be able to identify the negative psychological and social impacts of isolation and describe how building and maintaining supportive social connections can promote emotional well-being so professionals can better serve their clients, will be able to explore best practices in guardianship that promote ethical, person-centered decision-making and effective support for individuals under guardianship. Participants will also be able to demonstrate networking strategies that strengthen professional collaboration and support effective information sharing among guardianship professionals and professional social service providers., be able to describe and demonstrate the application of two mindfulness or stress-reduction techniques that support focus, emotional regulation, and professional resilience to help clinicians provide effective services to their clients,  and be able to describe at least two strategies for developing professional relationships that foster peer support, promote a sense of professional belonging, and strengthen collaboration within the guardianship field.

6:00 PM

Networking Happy Hour

Join fellow attendees for an evening of networking and conversation in a relaxed setting. Complimentary appetizers will be provided, and alcoholic beverages will be available as attendees connect with colleagues, share ideas, and build professional relationships.

7:30 AM

Registration & Breakfast

8:15 AM

Welcome

8:30 AM

Morning Keynote

The Gray Areas of Guardianship | Derek Graham, JD

This presentation will examine complex and nuanced aspects of guardianship practice, with a focus on situations where legal guidance may vary depending on individual circumstances. The presenter will review key considerations for guardians when navigating ambiguous scenarios, including determining when court involvement is necessary and how to exercise decision-making authority responsibly. Emphasis will be placed on practical strategies and best practices to support ethical and effective guardianship.

Participants will identify circumstances in which a guardian should seek court direction or intervention, will describe the scope and limits of guardian decision-making authority in complex or atypical situations, and will apply best practices for working effectively and ethically with individuals under guardianship.

10:15 AM

Supporting the Whole Person: Behavioral Health, Symptoms, and Co-Occurring Disorders | Kristi Horner, OCPSA

This session equips guardians and allied professionals with foundational behavioral health knowledge to better understand the complexities facing adults who experience both mental health conditions and substance use disorders. While symptoms and co-occurring challenges can significantly impact an individual’s daily functioning and decision-making capacity, effective guardianship requires seeing beyond diagnoses and focusing on the person’s strengths, abilities, history, and goals.

This training explores common behavioral health symptoms, how co-occurring disorders uniquely influence stability, and the ways these factors intersect with guardianship responsibilities. Participants will learn boundary-appropriate strategies for offering compassionate support and coordinating care without taking on clinical roles. By integrating behavioral health literacy with person-centered, ethically grounded practice, guardians can better promote safety, empowerment, informed decision-making, and holistic well-being for the individuals they serve.

Participants will be able to define key concepts in behavioral health and describe how mental health symptoms and co-occurring substance use disorders can affect decision-making, functioning, autonomy, and daily life for adults under guardianship, Recognize common symptoms and patterns associated with co-occurring disorders while using a whole-person, strengths-based lens that honors dignity, lived experience, and individual capacity, identify boundary-setting strategies that help guardians and related professionals provide compassionate, informed support without stepping outside their professional scope or into clinical roles, and apply person-centered approaches that integrate behavioral health literacy with clear ethical boundaries to foster safety, empowerment, and holistic, recovery-oriented care coordination.

10:15 AM

Small Tools, Big Impact: Simple Innovations to Support Choice and Voice in Guardianship | Darcie Lowe, MA | Jennifer Hoop, BS | Cynthia Dover, MS

This session explores practical, person-centered tools designed to support decision-making within guardianship. Participants will be introduced to innovative strategies, including the Happy–Safe Grid and the Donut Sort Tool to guardians, social workers, service providers, and family members with differing perspectives. The session will emphasize promoting self-determination and supported decision-making while fostering transparent, collaborative communication. Attendees will gain actionable techniques to elevate the voice of individuals under guardianship while balancing preferences, risk, and safety considerations.

Participants will describe the role of self-determination and supported decision-making in promoting person-centered practice, will be able to explain how supported decision-making tools can enhance collaboration and shared understanding among guardians, individuals served, and interdisciplinary teams, will demonstrate how to use the Donut Sort Tool to clarify roles, responsibilities, and boundaries in guardianship decision-making and will apply the Happy–Safe Grid to support balanced decisions that incorporate individual preferences, risk assessment, and safety considerations.

10:15 AM

Guiding Legal Guardians in Healthcare Navigation | Dr. Jesse Frank, DO

Legal guardians play a critical role in supporting individuals who are unable to make independent healthcare decisions. This training provides an overview in navigating complex healthcare systems to efficiently make informed medical decisions on behalf of their clients. Participants will explore common ethical dilemmas, including autonomy, informed consent, and substitute judgment. The course will also review levels of care across the healthcare continuum and strategies for ensuring appropriate transitions between settings. Additionally, participants will be introduced to key resources and supports available to guardians when facing complex or high-stakes medical decisions.

Participates will learn common medical ethical issues encountered by guardians when making healthcare decisions for clients, will be able to explain the process of substituted judgment and its application in medical decision-making, will understand the continuum of healthcare levels and appropriate transitions between levels of care, and will be able to identify at least three resources and supports available to guardians when navigating complex healthcare decisions.

11:15 AM

Break

11:30 AM

Transitioning through Your Estate Plan: Money, Decision Making, and Residential Options | Trey Bennett, JD | Ashley Hahe, JD

Individuals with disabilities encounter critical transition points throughout their lifespan that significantly impact long-term stability and quality of life. This training explores three key areas of transition: financial management, decision-making support, and residential planning. Participants will examine how each of these domain’s interconnect and contribute to the individual’s holistic planning process. The presenters will provide an overview of common tools and considerations, emphasizing the role of guardians in guiding individuals through these complex transitions, promoting autonomy, and supporting person-centered planning.

Participants will be able to navigate critical transitions using person-centered, strengths-based planning approaches, will be able to identify and differentiate between the common trust tools available when managing funds for individuals with disabilities, and will learn appropriate interdisciplinary resources, including legal, financial, and housing options, to support holistic and comprehensive planning.

11:30 AM

Obligations and Opportunities: Understanding Tenant Rights and obligations under Ohio’s Landlord Tenant Law | Nathan Crowell, JD

Learn what rights and obligations control a tenant landlord relationship in Ohio, and what Legal Aid may be able to do to assist you.

Attendees will have a general understanding of what services their local Legal Aid may provide. Attendees will leave with knowledge of their rights under the Ohio’s Landlord Tenant Law and will learn the proper procedure for dealing with Landlord’s who will not make repairs. 

11:30 AM

FCBDD: Eligibility, Waiting Lists, and Waivers | Anne Russell, LSW

This training provides an overview of the eligibility determination process and service options available to individuals with developmental disabilities through the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities (FCBDD). Content includes a review of eligibility criteria, application procedures, and an explanation of waiver services and waiting list structures in Ohio. While focused on Franklin County, this information reflects broader systems and practices applicable across the state. This program is designed to enhance social workers’ understanding of service access and system navigation to better support clients with developmental disabilities.

Participants will be able to identify the criteria for eligibility and the process for requesting services with the Franklin County Board of DD, will be able to explain the structure and current statuses of waiver waiting lists for developmental disability services in Ohio, and will be able to name the 3 types of waivers administered by DODD and county boards of DD in Ohio.

12:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 PM

Consumer Scams and Identity Theft: Recognition, Prevention, and Cyber Safety | Danielle Murphy

Scams and identity theft continue to affect individuals across all populations. This training provides guardians, social workers and other related fields with an overview of common scam tactics used by bad actors, including common scams, warning signs, identity theft and safety tips. Participants will learn how scammers manipulate trust, create urgency, and exploit technological or informational vulnerabilities. Emphasis will be placed on prevention and supporting vulnerable populations who may be at higher risk for financial exploitation.

Participants will identify at least three common types of consumer scams and fraud tactics currently affecting individuals and communities, will be able to apply practical prevention strategies to educate clients and community members about reducing the risk of identity theft, will recognize behavioral and situational warning signs that may indicate a client is experiencing or is at risk for financial exploitation or identity theft, and will understand basic safety tips for navigating cyberspace, including protecting personal information, recognizing suspicious online communications, and practicing safe internet and email use.

1:30 PM

Equal Access: Housing Rights and Procedure under State and Federal Fair Housing Acts | Nathan Crowell, JD

This session will provide an overview of state and federal fair housing law. What rights does one have under the law, and how does one activate them? 

Attendees will learn what protected classes exist under State and Federal Fair Housing Laws, how to identify discrimination, and how to properly request reasonable accommodation, and reasonable modifications. 

1:30 PM

Peaceful Planning: Supportive Strategies for Effective Funeral Planning | Rebekah Manofsky, LSW | Angela Tortorice

Funeral planning is often avoided due to discomfort, lack of knowledge, or uncertainty about legal and financial options. Social workers, guardians, and other helping professionals are frequently called upon to assist individuals and families in navigating these end-of-life planning decisions.

This session provides an educational overview of funeral planning processes, funding mechanisms, and legal considerations relevant to professionals working with older adults, individuals with disabilities, and clients receiving public benefits. Participants will learn strategies for initiating sensitive conversations about funeral planning, identifying appropriate funding options, and supporting individuals in making informed decisions that align with personal preferences, financial resources, and Medicaid regulations in the State of Ohio.

Participants will apply practical strategies for initiating respectful and supportive conversations about funeral planning with guardians and client’s families, will explain key Medicaid considerations related to funeral planning and allowable spend-down strategies, and will identify the purpose and use of the Ohio Appointment of Representative for Disposition of Bodily Remains form in clarifying decision-making authority.

2:30 PM

Break

2:45 PM

Closing Keynote

The Art of Showing Up (and Not Burning Out): Sustaining Well-Being | Kristi Horner, OCPSA

The Art of Showing Up (and Not Burning Out) explores how guardians and professionals in decision-making roles can remain present, grounded, and effective while prioritizing their own health and resilience. Guardianship work often involves navigating emotionally charged situations, system barriers, and constant advocacy – conditions that can lead to chronic stress and burnout if left unaddressed.

This training highlights personal well-being as a professional necessity rather than an optional add-on. Participants will learn how to identify early signs of burnout, apply practical wellness and boundary-setting strategies, and develop individualized approaches for sustaining clarity and effectiveness. By integrating stress-management tools with ethical practice, guardians and allied professionals can ensure they “show up” consistently and compassionately – without sacrificing their own health in the process.

Participants will be able to define key concepts in behavioral health and describe how mental health symptoms and co-occurring substance use disorders can affect decision-making, functioning, autonomy, and daily life for adults under guardianship, will be able to recognize common symptoms and patterns associated with co-occurring disorders while using a whole-person, strengths-based lens that honors dignity, lived experience, and individual capacity, will be able to identify boundary-setting strategies that help guardians and related professionals provide compassionate, informed support without stepping outside their professional scope or into clinical roles, and will be able to apply person-centered approaches that integrate behavioral health literacy with clear ethical boundaries to foster safety, empowerment, and holistic, recovery-oriented care coordination.

3:45 PM

Closing Remarks & Raffles