HOW TO CREATE A NEW GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM

1
HOW TO CREATE A NEW GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM

• Monica Mitchell
• Judicial Staff Counsel
• San Bernardino Superior Court

2
STEP ONE

• DETERMINE THE MODEL OF THE PROGRAM

3
STEP ONE PICK A MODEL

• Facilitation (passive, one on one)
• Direct (active, one on one)
• Workshop (group)
• Hybrid

4
STEP TWO

• MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE PROBATE DEPARTMENT

5
STEP TWO WORK WITH PROBATE

• Courts Probate Attorney
• Probate Clerks
• Probate Courtroom Clerks
• Probate Bench Officers
• Court Investigators

6
STEP THREE

• CREATE MATERIALS FOR THE PROGRAM

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STEP THREE MATERIALS

• Operational Plan
• Explains model of service
• Provides details re expectations of how program
  will work

8
STEP THREE MATERIALS

• Considerations for Operational Plan
• Target audience
• Marketing
• Physical location supplies needed
• Intake procedures
• How services provided, staffed
• Closing procedures record keeping

9
STEP THREE MATERIALS

• INTAKE MATERIALS FOR PROGRAM

• Consent Form
• Sign In Sheets
• Self Help Packets

10
STEP THREE MATERIALS

• PROGRAM
• MATERIALS

• Legal Information
• Forms
• Referral List
• Training Materials

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STEP THREE MATERIALS

• HOW TO CREATE
• A TRAINING MANUAL

• Attend guardianship hearing
• Learn the legal requirements
• Probate Code
• Cal. Rules of Court
• Local Rules

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STEP THREE MATERIALS

• HOW TO CREATE
• A TRAINING MANUAL
• (continued)

• Learn the forms
• Judicial Council
• Local Forms
• Learn the process
• Filing through issuance of Letters

13
STEP FOUR

• INFORM EXISTING SELF HELP PROVIDERS OF THE NEW
  PROGRAM

14
STEP FIVE

• ACQUIRE TRAIN STAFF
• Volunteer Marketing
• Training Time Limits

15
STEP SIX

• LIMITED INITIAL MARKETING OPENING OF PROGRAM

16
STEP SEVEN

• ACHIEVING RESULTS IN THE REAL WORLD

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STEP SEVEN MAKING IT WORK

• Estimated time for training staff
• 10 hours to understand basic guardianship law and
  practice
• 5 hours to understand the Petition and Associated
  Forms (on top of base knowledge)
• 10 to 15 hours of training and observing to
  really understand service requirements and
  provide legal information

18
STEP SEVEN MAKING IT WORK

• Tweaking the Process
• Trial and error for 6 months or more to learn
  best practices
• Improving flow of program (intake through
  services rendered)
• Sustained communication with probate staff to
  cement working relationship and obtain necessary
  feedback
• Develop recruitment programs for staffing