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VIDEO

The Current State of Knowledge on Fraud and Abuse by Guardians

Pamela B Teaster, Elizabeth Shealy, Erica Wood, and Sally Balch Hurme

The presenters are a team of researchers who conducted an in-depth study into abuse and fraud perpetrated by guardians. With funding from a grant provided by the National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice, the team carried out a comprehensive literature review to assess the scope and prevalence of guardianship abuse. Additionally, they interviewed state court officials to gather valuable insights and data on abuse documented at the state and local levels. The resulting report highlights significant gaps in data and offers recommendations for improving how courts identify and address abuse within the guardianship system. The team suggests actionable steps for states and localities to enhance data collection and case monitoring, while also proposing ways the federal government can support these critical reforms.

By the end of this program, you will be able to:

  1. Describe the current understanding of the scope, prevalence, and nature of abuse by guardians.

  2. Identify the challenges associated with collecting data on guardianship abuse.

  3. Explain how courts and other stakeholders can leverage data to enhance oversight of guardianships and inform policy and practice reforms.

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Participants