When a probate court determines an adult lacks sufficient capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning their health or safety and that adult lacks a willing or appropriate person to act as their guardian, the Georgia Department of Human Services may be appointed as the guardian of last resort. The Public Guardianship Office within the Division of Aging Services oversees and delivers guardianship case management services on behalf of the Department of Human Services, and case managers serve as advocates, surrogate decision-makers, and service coordinators for guardianship clients.

The Georgia Health Policy Center is supporting the Georgia Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging Services’ Public Guardianship Office to augment its existing training program by developing and implementing additional evidence-based and skills-focused training resources for public guardianship case managers. This involves a needs assessment, which includes a review of case managers’ current training, other training programs nationally, and relevant literature; engagement of subject matter experts; and curriculum development for an online training program in collaboration with a design team, made up of staff representing multiple roles across the Public Guardianship Office. Development of the online modules is being done in partnership with Georgia State University’s Gerontology Institute, and is grounded in adult learning best practices, with learning objectives, knowledge checks, and supporting resources.

Long-Term Services & Support

Workforce Development