We are very pleased to welcome you to our annual Guardianship Training Symposium, which for the first time, is being held virtually. One of the main highlights of holding an in-person conference is to encourage networking opportunities with the participants throughout the state who enjoy sharing their unique experiences and exchanging creative ideas. We hope that this will continue virtually by attending a series of five workshop sessions being offered over 5 weeks.
We continue to owe a debt of gratitude to the Trustees of the NYSARC Trust Services for their ongoing and generous support for sponsoring portions of this unique conference!
This year marks the 50th year anniversary of the Corporate Guardianship Program, which operates through our Chapters, providing support, care and advocacy to more than 650 people throughout New York State. The theme, “Celebrating Fifty Years of Guardianship: Its Value, Alternatives and Best Practices.” examines current issues challenging and are of special interest to our Program’s Guardianship Committee volunteers, staff and others in the caregiving field who have shared experiences and common concerns as a result of the pandemic. Each panel presentation and the keynote address include distinguished experts in relevant areas intended to provide additional tools and strategies for you to apply to your work in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Although the program is abbreviated this year, it is intended to explore new practices to better support the changing needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
We are grateful for the ongoing support of The Arc New York’s President, John Kowalcyzk and Katharine Wilson Conroy, Chairperson for the NYSARC State Guardianship Committee, who will be starting us off with their opening and inspirational remarks about the future trajectory of the Corporate Guardianship Program. We are honored to have many other distinguished moderators, speakers and panelists who will help to build on our ongoing efforts to educate and provide the audience with practical tools and guidance.
Lastly, I would like to personally extend my sincerest gratitude and appreciation to Angel Buchanan and Susan Brandt for their invaluable assistance and support. Their participation was integral to the production and success of this educational event!
Thank you.
Erica F. Berman
Assistant Executive Director for Guardianship Services, The Arc New York
