Resources
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Employee Handbook
The information contained in this handbook provides an overview of state government and will assist you as you transition into your new role. It explains the laws, regulations, and policies governing your employment, as well as the benefits and services to which you are entitled as a state employee. Your agency may have policies in addition to those contained in this handbook, so you should familiarize yourself with those as well.
Commonly used Guardianship and State Government Acronyms and Definitions
There are many acronyms, definitions, and general terms that are used within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and more specifically DCBS.
Please review and download or print these lists for your future reference.
Guardian Associations and Advocacy Groups
Click each box below to learn more information about the different guardianship associations and advocacy groups.
Kentucky Guardianship Association
- The KGA is a non-profit membership organization with the goal of improving adult guardianship in Kentucky.
- They seek to improve guardianship by developing training for persons appointed to serve as a guardian for an adult with a disability, training for persons seeking to be appointed as a guardian, attorneys representing alleged incapacitated persons, and professionals including social workers, psychologists, and medical personnel appointed to interdisciplinary evaluation teams; for the purpose of evaluating the capacity of adults responding to a petition for appointment of a guardian or conservator.
- The KGA was founded on the principle of improving the practice of adult guardianship in KY, by promoting practices that protect the Constitutional rights and autonomy of persons with disabilities.
- Some Guardianship staff are members of the KGA.
Kentucky Protection and Advocacy
- Kentucky Protection and Advocacy is a Division within the Department of Public Advocacy.
- P & A protects and promotes the rights of Kentuckians with disabilities through information and referral, and legal individual and systemic advocacy and education.
Mission:
To protect and promote the rights of Kentuckians with disabilities through legally based individual and systemic advocacy, and education.
Values:
- Kentuckians with disabilities have a right to self-determination including, but not limited to, the right to refuse, the right to participate, and the right to choose.
- Kentuckians with disabilities have the same inherent rights as Kentuckians without disabilities.
- Kentuckians with disabilities will live and receive services in integrated and inclusive settings.
- Kentucky Protection and Advocacy values and accepts differences/diversity.
Source: dpa.ky.gov
National Guardianship Association
The primary objectives of the NGA are:
- Establishing and promoting nationally recognized standards
- Encouraging the highest levels of integrity and competence through guardianship education.
- Protecting the interests of guardians and people in their care.
- DCBS is a member of the NGA and also adopts and practices its National Guardianship Association Ethical Principles.
State Long Term Care Ombudsman
The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is federally funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). It includes the State LTCO, 15 District Ombudsmen thru the 15 ADDs/AAA’s, and a host of volunteers.
Ombudsmen advocate for residents of long-term care facilities at no charge to residents or families.
Their primary responsibilities are:
- Protect the special legal rights of residents.
- Identify, investigate, and resolve residents’ problems and concerns.
- Empower residents to make informed choices.
- Work to enact laws to protect residents and older Kentuckians.
Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS)
- This core group is dedicated to improving the process of guardianship in KY and safeguarding the rights of citizens.
- Educates the public about alternatives to guardianship and supported decision-making and including but not limited to the following: KY District Court, KGA, Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL), Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities, aging and disability networks, Protection and Advocacy, Adult Protective Services, legal, medical, and mental health providers, Long Term Care Ombudsman and more.