Guardianship Update

Chief Advocacy Attorney Homa Woodrum

Rana Goodman / On My Soapbox
 
There’s a new “sheriff in town” - figuratively speaking. His name is Kevin Schiller, Clark County’s new Assistant County Manager.
 
Publisher Dan and I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Schiller recently to talk over my “issues” regarding the public guardian. It’s no secret that Clark County Public Guardian Karen Kelly’s methodology of dealing with seniors facing guardianship is vastly different than what we think is proper and appropriate.

I’m pleased to report that Mr. Schiller, (who recently moved here from Washoe County where he worked on guardianship issues) “gets it.” He has already worked with many of the same people who joined us on this crusade nearly three years ago.

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With the new guardianship reform laws going into effect, (in October and January) we will be starting our Vegas Voice seminars again to bring everyone updated paperwork and information. Mr. Schiller requested to be part of our seminars so that he can meet seniors interested in county programs.
 
AND in the very near future, Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske will have the new forms available for guardianship nomination. The revised forms have been updated from what was suggested when the law was first passed in 2015. On January1st, your guardianship preference can be filed with the Secretary of State. Of course, we will have all information and new guardianship forms at our seminars.
 
AND we will also be working with Homa Woodrum, a fabulous attorney who was recently hired by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Disability Services Division. Her official title is “Attorney for the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with a Physical Disability, an Intellectual Disability or a Related Condition.”
 
The short title is “Chief Advocacy Attorney” and we have total confidence in her abilities and dedication. Homa and her office will be providing guidance, assistance and training for our guardianship volunteer advocate program. Now that the laws have changed giving volunteers “standing”, we are confident our non-profit group can really make a big difference for many of our fellow seniors.
 
AND the Nevada Supreme Court is now forming a permanent Guardianship Commission (and despite my Dan saying, no!) I opened my big mouth and volunteered to serve. Notwithstanding Dan’s wishes, we will let you know what happens.
 
AND finally, at the end of this month, Dan and I have been invited to attend the North American Mature Publishers Association (NAMPA - the trade group for senior publications) conference in Chicago. We will be giving a presentation “Guardianship Problems Facing Seniors” to publishers/editors from around the country. This invitation will give us the chance to get much needed national coverage on such an important topic.