Certified as a National Certified Guardian by The Center for Guardianship Certification

Donald D. Vanarelli, Esq. is certified as a National Certified Guardian by the Center for Guardianship Certification (CGC). The CGC identifies persons who have achieved the requisite level of knowledge, skill, experience, and understanding of the ethical principles and standards of good practice to act as professional guardians.

CGC was incorporated in 1997 as an allied foundation of the Center for Guardianship Certification to enhance the quality of guardianship services through national certification, which is the only national credentialing process for guardians in the nation. CGC views certification not as the end, but as a means to demonstrate to the public, clients, and the courts that the certified guardian has sufficient skill, knowledge and understanding of the universal guardianship principals to be worthy of the responsibility entrusted to him or her. Certification entitles the guardian to represent to the courts and the public that he or she is eligible to be appointed, is not disqualified by prior conduct, agrees to abide by universal ethical standards governing a person with fiduciary responsibilities, submits to a disciplinary process, and can demonstrate through a written test an understanding of basic guardianship principals and laws.

The certification process includes acquiring a basic floor of necessary knowledge (eligibility), demonstrating proficiency in core competencies (examination), enhancing skills and understanding (continuing education), maintaining ethical conduct (re-certification), and avoiding malfeasance (de-certification).

The National Certified Guardian certification exam is designed to identify guardians who can demonstrate basic proficiency in answering questions that any guardian in any part of the country should be able to answer. Most of the questions are based on the Center for Guardianship Certification Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. They cover issues of person and of property; of aging, disability, and developmental disabilities; placement, medical consent and financial management; conflict of interest, confidentiality and fiduciary responsibility; and relationships with courts, attorneys, clients, and family.

The Center for Guardianship Certification

The Center for Guardianship Certification was incorporated in February 1988 as a non-profit national organization to strengthen guardianship and related services through networking, education, and tracking and commenting on legislation. NGA includes guardians, attorneys, conservators, bankers, representative payees, advocates, social workers, fiduciaries, physicians and hospitals, and others interested in guardianship and surrogacy. Members include public and private, for-profit and not-for-profit agencies and organizations, as well as concerned individuals and allied professionals. This diversity provides an unprecedented forum for the exchange of ideas relating to services for the segment of the population needing guardianship. Association members are striving to improve services to this growing population including, but not limited to, people who are elderly and to those with mental illness, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and head injuries.

The mission of the Center for Guardianship Certification is to provide educational, training, and networking opportunities for guardians; to promote the highest levels of values, standards, and ethics; and to ensure a nationally recognized standard of excellence.