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The Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center is operated by the Elder Law Center of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups to provide legal back-up and assistance on guardianship related matters throughout Wisconsin. Funded by a Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Guardianship Services Programs grant, the project coordinates the efforts and successes of other projects funded under this grant program. The Support Center also serves as a statewide resource for the other grantees, guardians, county protective services and human services staff, community programs staff, long-term care ombudsmen, benefit specialists, nursing home and other health care provider staff, disability and aging advocates, families of individuals with mental incapacities and others.
The Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center is staffed by lawyers and paralegals with significant experience in guardianship matters. The Support Center was developed because of a recognition that guardians in Wisconsin would benefit from a statewide resource center to provide coordination, uniform materials, training programs, and a case consultation and to answer questions and provide guidance.
The project's activities consist of:
- Development of standardized guardian recruitment materials
- Development of standardized guardian training materials
- Conducting regional training programs
- Staffing a toll-free telephone line to provide information, referrals, networking, resources and case consultation
- Producing a quarterly newsletter, The Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center News, providing information relevant to recruiting and training guardians, trends in the law and resource listings
- Convening round-table discussions and task forces on guardianship issues
- Providing reports and recommendations to the judiciary, county agencies, Registers in Probate, Dept. of Health and Family Services Staff and others involved in planning court and county activities relating to guardianship.
The toll-free telephone line is available to all individuals, in Wisconsin, with questions concerning guardianship law - how to determine whether an individual needs a guardian, how the court procedures work, the roles, responsibilities and authority of guardians, and alternatives to guardianship. If you have questions call the Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center at 1-800-488-2596. The toll-free line works on a call-back system. When you call, a message is taken with your name, phone number and a description of your question. Staff then returns calls as soon as possible.
If you would like to be put on the mailing list of the Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center to ensure that you receive the project's newsletter, to receive other valuable information regarding training opportunities and available resources, or to suggest topics for the newsletter, please call, write or e-mail:
Wisconsin Guardianship Support Center Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups - Elder Law Center 5900 Monona Drive - Suite 400 Madison, WI 53716 608-224-0660 1-800-488-2596 (toll free) E-mail: cwag@midplains.net
Last updated: July 25, 1997
By: Gail Schwersenska