Florida State Guardianship Association

FSGA Mission Statement - The Florida State Guardianship Association is dedicated to the protection of the

dignity and rights of incapacitated persons and to increasing the professionalism of guardianship through

education, networking and legislative action.

The Florida State Guardianship Association, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation, an affiliate of the National Guardianship Association.

floridaguardians.com | (800) 718-0207 | eFax (877) 896-0464 | PO Box 1185, Palm City, Florida 34991

Volume 1 Edition #6 FSGA BULLETIN

It is truly hard to believe how quickly a year has passed! It has been my absolute

pleasure leading this Association for the last year. I take great pride in knowing we

provide excellent continuing education, support and advocacy across the state.

FSGA is the premier Guardianship Association working to build relationships, partnerships and

outreach to the community. It has been an evolving process but with your support, our outreach

is now across the state.

I would like to personally thank all those on our Board who work tirelessly

on behalf of those we serve. I am honored to follow in the footsteps of the

leaders who in there own way recognized issues that were relevant to the

organization. In this last year we have grown as an organization, creating a

YouTube channel, expanded our Facebook, media out reach and educational

opportunities.

I have had the distinct pleasure of representing FSGA in the W.I.N.G.S

initiative. This is just one instance where we partner with others to extend

our services and resources. As we progress, it is my wish that we work collectively to build on our

foundations. Unity helps build stronger communities!

I wish Sherri Graham and the Executive Board much success as

they step into 2018-2019! As a volunteer Board, I am proud of

our accomplishments and look forward to what we achieve in the

future!

Karen Greene , FSGA President

The Florida State Guardianship Association, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation, an affiliate of the National Guardianship Association.

floridaguardians.com | (800) 718-0207 | eFax (877) 896-0464 | PO Box 1185, Palm City, Florida 34991

CONFERENCE 2018

Legislative Update, Steve Hitchcock, Esq

Carol Berkowitz and Amelia Milton,

What’s New with OPPG

Taking your Place at the Table, Joe Bensmihen

Restoration of Rights, Enrique Zamora, Esq

Elder Exploitation , Alex Cuello, Esq.

Dear Members and Friends,

The conference is fast approaching. You should have

received confirmation of your registration if you have

not, please call Gina. The hotel venue is stunning and for

those staying at the Grand Cypress, the resort fee is

waived which grants you unlimited access to the pools,

health club, 9 hole pitch, driving range, and water sports

like hydro bikes, paddle boards, canoes. You will enjoy

free wifi in the hotel room and complementary shuttles

to Disney, Sea World and Universal. The only thing brighter than this venue is our spectacular edu-

cational program. We have a wide array of generous exhibitors and sponsors for you to visit with.

This year conferees can participate in a scavenger hunt in addition to our exhibitor map, the

Cartes de Paris. We also have a silent auction and are still accepting donations. We will have our

50/ 50 raffle as well as exhibitor giveaways at Saturday Lunch so bring plenty of business cards.

First things first, visit Gina at registration for your schedule, and some amazing goodies sponsored

by our friends at Guardian Trust and Alternative

Home Health Care.

HAVEN’T REGISTED YET? Click HERE

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

The Florida State Guardianship Association, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation, an affiliate of the National Guardianship Association.

floridaguardians.com | (800) 718-0207 | eFax (877) 896-0464 | PO Box 1185, Palm City, Florida 34991

EXHIBITORS

Click here for the FSGA Exhibitor and Sponsor Opportunities. This is a

great opportunity to showcase your business and build lasting relation-

ships in the guardianship community.

The Florida State Guardianship Association, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation, an affiliate of the National Guardianship Association.

floridaguardians.com | (800) 718-0207 | eFax (877) 896-0464 | PO Box 1185, Palm City, Florida 34991

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

FSGA IS MOVING FORWARD WITH A NEW ADVOCACY INITIATIVE AND

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

The Florida Statewide Guardianship Association is moving forward in keep-

ing with its mission and purpose by taking steps to develop an advocacy initiative

and legislative agenda. Many of our members have said that the time has come to

focus on these very important efforts. How do we know that? This past spring,

the Legislative Committee distributed a survey asking our membership to respond

with their priorities and comments regarding FSGA’s intention to move in this di-

rection. There was an outpouring of responses and very positive suggestions from

our members expressing a strong desire statewide to adopt a legislative agenda and participate in

the legislative process.

Our Legislative initiative, which is supported by the Board of Directors, includes hiring Acclaim

Strategies, Inc. to assist FSGA in a two step process designed to help FSGA develop a Legislative Plat-

form. This is an all-important step in designing our message to the Legislators, rule makers and oth-

ers involved in the legislative process. Our message will be unified and geared toward accomplishing

our mission of educating the public and effecting positive change for guardians and other profes-

sionals around the state who are dedicated to serving and protecting the most vulnerable citizens in

the State of Florida.

The first step has already occurred as Natalie Kelly of Acclaim Strategies led a Webinar in

June introducing our members to the legislative process. The next step is an in person meeting

where the participants will develop an advocacy strategy and legislative platform – a unified mes-

sage representing the organization’s goals and which we can take directly to our lawmakers.

The future of our organization depends in part upon taking this legislative initiative to the

next step. Please contact our Executive Director, Gina Rossi, if you are interested in participating in

the in person meeting which we plan to conduct following our Annual Conference.

Pam Keller, Legislative Chair

CHAPTER REPORTS

FSGA Treasure Coast held an informative meeting on June 22, 2018 with Guest Speaker ,

Anthony Palmieri, he was able to give a presentation on the Clerks Statewide

Investigations and more. It was a good meeting and the group plans to hold another

training in the early fall. All Guardians and FSGA members are welcome to our meetings.

Be sure to stop by the Clerks Statewide Investigations booth at the FSGA Conference for

more information.

The Broward County Chapter "hit it out of the ballpark" with their Education Day, held

last week. The theme for the day was "Guardianship, Playing in the Big Leagues." The

crowd of almost 100, enjoyed such heavy hitters as Judge Mark Speiser, Attorney Collett

Small, Attorney Bart Chepenik, Financial Advisor Sheri Billings, just

to mention a few. It was a great day full of "all star" programs, ball-

park themed food and snacks and even an energetic 7th inning

stretch with everyone in the room, locked arm in arm and belting

out

"Take me out to the ballgame."

BCGA is looking forward to our upcoming fundraising programs, Trash or Treasure to be held in the

ArtServe Gallery in Sunrise and a fabulous cooking competition with surprise moderators/food critics.

A big accomplishment is our Guardianship Video, which is in the filming stage.

Elections are quickly approaching and anyone wishing to be on our board should submit a nomination

form before our next quarterly meeting in September.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Conference.

The Palm Beach Guardianship Association held their June meeting at the lovely Carlisle, Palm Beach,

located at 450 East Ocean Avenue, Lantana. Our guest speaker was Andrew Kravit of Kravit Estate

Appraisals which allowed guardians, case managers, nurses and other attendees better understand

the importance of valuing the property of our Wards. We will not be having a regular meeting in July

as FSGA is having their annual meeting from July 19-21 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in

Orlando. The Chapter’s next meeting will be held on August 9 at Discovery Harbor Chase in Palm

Beach Gardens. All are welcome! Penny Maitner, MA, NCG, President, PBGA

Hillsborough Chapter continues to meet regularly every two months. The next general meeting will be July 12, 2018 at Tessera ALF in the town of Hanks. Please contact Bob Baumgarner for more information.

The Florida State Guardianship Association, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation, an affiliate of the National Guardianship Association.

floridaguardians.com | (800) 718-0207 | eFax (877) 896-0464 | PO Box 1185, Palm City, Florida 34991

The Florida State Guardianship Association, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation, an affiliate of the National Guardianship Association.

floridaguardians.com | (800) 718-0207 | eFax (877) 896-0464 | PO Box 1185, Palm City, Florida 34991

Please click here to

sign-up to participate in our FSGA YouTube

videos at the conference. July 19th, 20th or

21st for the available times.

For our FSGA YouTube Channel, we will be

videotaping members in 20-minute seg-

ments during our annual conference. If you

would like to participate, please sign-up on

the shared calendar and be prepared to an-

swer these interview questions:

· Why did you become involved with guardi-

anship or an associated profession?

· What does the public misjudge, and need

to understand, about guardianship?

· Do you have thoughts on guardianship's

most relevant advancement?

· Please describe a positive case that you

have been associated with that stands out.

View the YouTube Channel , be sure to sub-

scribe to the channel! You can Thank you for

helping us educate the public about the ex-

traordinary work of Florida’s

Al Rothstein, Rothstein Media

(850) 807-7997

elderissues@rothsteinmedia.com

The American Bar

Association

Commission on Law

and Aging has

published a new

legislative fact

sheet, Guardianship and the Right

to Visitation, Communication, and

Interaction

https://www.americanbar.org/

content/dam/aba/administrative/

law_aging/2018-05-24-visitation-

legislative-

factsheet.authcheckdam.pdf

which offers assistance to lawyers,

bar associations, allied

professionals, legislative staff, and

advocates to make policy

recommendations, improve practice,

and raise professional awareness

about visitation and guardianship.

Special thanks to the generous

support of the Borchard Foundation

Center on Law and Aging for making

this Fact Sheet possible.

The Florida State Guardianship Association, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation, an affiliate of the National Guardianship Association.

floridaguardians.com | (800) 718-0207 | eFax (877) 896-0464 | PO Box 1185, Palm City, Florida 34991

NEW FSGA MEMBERS

Adrienne Key, The Law Office of Adrienne A Key, P.A.

Bianca Brunell , Advocating For The Elderly Relations, Inc.

Ann Newsomee, Caroline Emery, Atty at Law, PLLC

Kelly Allogia, Home Care Assistance of Palm Beach County

Rebecca Gaffney, Solutions By RPM, Inc.

Debbie Fischer, Brevard Relocate Realty Group

Cheri Chambers, By the Bay Fiduciary, LLC

Corina Savela, Professional Guardian

Diana Anastos, Solutions By RPM, Inc.

Donna Foster, Oppidan

Donald Fucik, Donald E. Fucik, LLC

Catia Pisa, Advocating For The Elderly Relations, Inc.

Kim Linder, Hampton Manor

Stephanie Scott-Gardner, Hampton Manor

Jordan Brown, Home Care Assistance of Palm Beach County

Jeffrey Hudson, Attorney

John Donnelly, D.S. Drelich & Associates

Kathryn Brown-Mayes, Professional Guardian

Kelsey McHugh, Cody & Linde, PLLC

Christine Lang, Professional Guardian

Laura Parrott, Citrus County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller

Laurie Statmore-Smirl, Estate & Family Partners

Matthew Linde, Cody & Linde, PLLC

Angelique Moldauer, Angelique Moldauer Profes-sional Guardian

Mary Williams, Law Office of Mary C. Williams

Robin Barclay, Citrus County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller

Robin Merriman II, Cody & Linde, PLLC

Sharice McCall, MSC Consulting Services

Scott Solkoff, Solkoff Legal, P.A.

Taquish Joynet-Stokes, Public Guardian

Whitney Andreu, Arden Courts Ft. Myers

The Florida State Guardianship Association, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation, an affiliate of the National Guardianship Association.

floridaguardians.com | (800) 718-0207 | eFax (877) 896-0464 | PO Box 1185, Palm City, Florida 34991

FSGA MEMBER SHARON BOCK SWORN IN

AS PRESIDENT OF FLORIDA CLERKS AND

COMPRORLLERS ASSOCAITION

Clerk Bock is an FSGA Member and recipient of the 2017

National Guardianship Association Member of the

Year Award.

Clerk Bock was installed during the association’s 2018

Summer Conference and 40th Anniversary Celebration at

the Hilton West Palm Beach on Wednesday, June 27.

In her role as FCC&C president, Clerk Bock plans to

build on the group’s accomplishments and continued

efforts to work together for the citizens of the State of

Florida. Clerk Bock’s top priorities during her term include optimizing the technology used by the

state’s Clerks and enhancing communications at the

statewide level.

The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers is a non-profit mem-

bers association comprised of the state’s Clerks of the Circuit

Court and Comptrollers. The association provides support

services, technical assistance and accreditation opportunities

for all of its members.

“It is an honor to serve as President of the

Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers,”

said Clerk Bock. “I am humbled to be the first Clerk from Palm Beach County to

lead the association.”

The Florida State Guardianship Association wishes to extend congratula-

tions and best wishes to Clerk Bock!!

Clerk Sharon Bock is sworn in as President of the Florida

Court Clerks & Comptrollers by the Honorable Ken Burke,

the Clerk & Comptroller of Pinellas County.

Clerk and Comptroller for Palm Beach County’s Tony Tuozzo

(Training Manager), Roger Trca (Inspector General), and FSGA

Board of Directors At Large Member Anthony Palmieri (Deputy

Inspector General)., and Karen Greene FSGA President

Clerk Bock and Jetta Getty, FSGA At-large

Director.

The Florida State Guardianship Association, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation, an affiliate of the National Guardianship Association.

floridaguardians.com | (800) 718-0207 | eFax (877) 896-0464 | PO Box 1185, Palm City, Florida 34991

AREA II Anthony Palmieri

To vote in Area II your address of record must be in one of the fol-

lowing Counties: Seminole, Orange, Brevard, Okeechobee, Indian

River, Martin, St. Lucie, Osceola

AREA IV Ellie Himes

To vote in Area VIII your address of record must be in one of the fol-

lowing Counties: Manatee, Sarasota, Desoto, Charlotte, Lee, Glades,

Hendry, Collier, Monroe

AREA V Heather Hasandras

To vote in Area VIII your address of record must be in one of the following Palm Beach, Broward, Miami

Dade

AREA VII Harry Hackney

To vote in Area VIII your address of record must be in one of the following Counties Levy, Citrus, Marion,

Lake, Sumter, Bradford

AT-LARGE David Hook - All FSGA members may vote for At-Large Positions

AT-LARGE Grayson Hausman- All FSGA members may vote for At-Large Positions

Online poll closes July 21st at 9 AM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS BALLOT

The Florida State Guardianship Association, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation, an affiliate of the National Guardianship Association.

floridaguardians.com | (800) 718-0207 | eFax (877) 896-0464 | PO Box 1185, Palm City, Florida 34991

FSGA SUPPORTERS

FSGA COMMITTEES

FSGA BOARD

FSGA CALENDAR

FSGA MEMBERSHIP

FSGA CHAPTERS

MEMBER DIRECTORY

NGA

OPPG

FLORIDA BAR

COURT FORMS

Clint Mallard, Trustco Bank

Ana Aguilar, OPPIDAN- Neurobehavioral Services

Denise Lettau, Secured Futures

Stephen Kelly, Professional Guardian

Catherine Rowlands, Total Long-Term Care Consultant

Services, Inc.

John Dillon, Professional Guardian

Penny Maitner , Professional Guardian

Angela Wilkins, Care Patrol

Denise Lettau, Secured Futures

Debra Phillips, Professional Guardian

David Weintraub , Aging Life Care Association Florida Chapter

Elizabeth Bertrand, Palumbo and Bertrand PA

Debra Nicholas, Debra Nicholas Professional Guardian, LLC

Gina Rossi Scheiman , Treasure Coast Guardianship and Advocacy

Jan Wallace, Gulf Coast Realty, LLC

Jetta Getty, Young at Heart Elderly Services

Jim Samuelson, Home Instead Senior Cares

Lesa Martino , Guardian

Monica Moffitt , The Light House Group

Michael Connors , Michael W. Connors, PA

Maria Kelly , Maria C. Kelly, Professional Guardian

Maureen Miller , Guardian for You

Marsha Schmid , Guardian Light Care Managers LLC

Nicki Decker, Guardianship Services of Central Florida, LLC

Nancy Starr, Professional Guardian

Robin Patrowicz , RPSeniorServices, LLC