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07/05/2023:

NGA Scholarships Available - Deadline August 1

NCG Certification: MAPA will reimburse the testing fee for one passing NCG certification test per year. The chosen candidate will need to provide the awards committee proof of a passing grade. Candidate will have one year from notification of scholarship award to request reimbursement from MAPA.

NMG Certification: There are two tests for the NMG certification. MAPA will reimburse the testing fees for each passing portion of the NMG certification test per year. The chosen candidate will need to provide the MAPA awards committee proof of a passing grade on each test for reimbursement. Candidate will have one year from notification of scholarship award to request reimbursement from MAPA.

Download Scholarship Application

06/05/2022

Last week, Phelps County Clerk Pamela Grow announced a sweeping decision to remove certain individuals from the voting rolls, despite an express court order allowing them to retain the right to vote.  Individuals are appointed a guardian for many different reasons.  At the time of each appointment, testimony is provided regarding the retention of certain rights, one of which is the right to vote.  County Judges carefully consider this testimony and make the decision to preserve or remove voting rights based on each unique situation. 

Collectively, Missouri Public Administrators serve as guardians for thousands of individuals across the state and are keenly aware of the differing abilities of those we serve.  The Missouri Association of Public Administrators (MAPA) rejects the concerning stance to disenfranchise Missouri citizens whose ability to participate in the voting process has been examined and preserved.    

The estimated number of deleted registrations would be in the “low double digits” in Phelps County, but if other Missouri counties were to adopt this stance, the individuals affected could number in the thousands.  As advocates for the individuals we serve, MAPA believes that educating and influencing the community is our responsibility.  We believe in recognizing and respecting the self-worth of each individual and do not support actions that demoralize those with a guardian.

After hearing from local advocates and not receiving guidance or legal instruction from State offices regarding her controversial decision, Grow reversed her initial stance late last week and stated that she will not be removing these individuals from the voting rolls.  MAPA supports this updated decision and will continue to advocate that those who have a guardian retain their court-ordered rights of citizenship. 

Sincerely, 

Danielle Boggs

President, Missouri Association of Public Administrators

Webster County Public Administrator

03/22/2022

The Center for Guardianship Certification awarded the organization’s Fred Kretz Cornerstone Award to Callaway County Public Administrator Karen Digh Allen, a national certified guardian (NCG).

CONGRATS TO KAREN DIGH-ALLEN - CALLAWAY COUNTY PA!

FULTON, Mo. — The Center for Guardianship Certification awarded the organization’s Fred Kretz Cornerstone Award to Callaway County Public Administrator Karen Digh Allen, a national certified guardian (NCG).

The award honors an individual who demonstrates and promotes guardianship certification, concepts and ethics, and who displays a significant contribution to the guardianship community and community at-large. This award is the second national award of excellence bestowed upon Digh Allen by the organization.

Nominated for her commitment and dedication to the profession of guardianship, Digh Allen has devoted the past 25 years of her career serving as a professional guardian and conservator for at least 600 clients.

As an advocate for professionalism in guardianship and conservatorship practice, Digh Allen supports statewide guardianship certification in Missouri and has been a very active member of the Missouri Association of Public Administrators, according to a news release.

Since Missouri law does not require certification, she has worked with the Missouri Association of Public Administrators (MAPA) to create Standards of Practice for Public Administrators, which was adopted last year. She also works with the MAPA Legislative Committee, which monitors legislation and advocates for guardianship and policy reform.

“I am very honored and excited to receive the Center for Guardianship Certification Fred Kretz Cornerstone Award,” Digh Allen said. “The Center for Guardianship Certification and the National Guardianship Association are the guiding stars for all of us who strive to be the best guardians we can be. As a strong advocate of the certification of Missouri guardians, I truly believe that guardianship certification in the State of Missouri could open the door for a variety of guardians, both public and private, and thereby allow more Missouri citizens in need to be able to access guardianship services.”

Digh Allen works with the court system and case workers to advocate the use of the least restrictive legal status necessary to meet a client’s need for a guardian or conservator. When appropriate and whenever it can be achieved, she helps clients and their case workers move toward restoration to either partial or full capacity.

Active on the state level as a member of Missouri’s Working Interdisciplinary Network Guardianship Stakeholders (MO-WINGS) group, the Missouri Consortium on Supported Decision Making and the MAPA Legislative Committee, she worked to create and pass a significant update to Missouri’s guardianship law.

That update to the guardianship law included a provision that CGC-certified guardians can opt out of some costly pre-appointment requirements since CGC requires background screenings plus has standards and policies relating to professionalism. This addition of CGC was the first mention of certified guardians in Missouri law.

Digh Allen is a member of the Missouri Bar Elder Law Committee and the Estate Planning and Probate Administration Committee. She is also active on the federal level with the National Association of Counties as a vice chair of the Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee on Courts and Corrections and as a member of the Veterans and Military Services Committee and the Rural Action Caucus.

She earned her NCG certification in 2005. In 2016, the Center for Guardianship Certification recognized Digh Allen with its NCG Excellence Award for her exemplary work as a CGC National Certified Guardian and her demonstrated knowledge of advanced guardianship concepts, ethics and issues.

04/23/2021

2021 MAPA PA OF THE YEAR AWARD

CONGRATS TO KAREN DIGH-ALLEN - CALLAWAY COUNTY PA!

12/10/2020

Congratulations to Our NCG 2020 Award Winners!

01/23/2020

Public Administrators attend National Guardianship Conference 2019

Rhonda Noe Adair County
Karen Digh Allen Callaway County
Carol Johnson Dallas County
Danielle Boggs Webster County
Angie Casavecchia Jasper County

05/02/2019

ARTICLE IN CALIFORNIA DEMOCRAT NEWSPAPER, ON OUR PA OF THE YEAR, CHER CAUDEL!

http://www.californiademocrat.com/news/news/story/2019/may/01/i-do-what-i-can-to-make-the-best-decision/776783/

04/02/2019

Lobby Day March 2019

not in pic Melissa Dempsey
front row: Mary Jo Colley, Rhonda Noe, Charli Ackerman, Karen Digh Allen, Loretta Rouse, Carol Johnson, Theresa Lupardus, Wendy Metcalf, Danielle Boggs
back row: David Yancy, Amanda Huffman, Amy Hartwig, Steve Farmer, Shannon Wollard, Cher Caudel

02/13/2019

Feb 13, 2019 Lobby Day at the Capital

not in pic, Lisa Reitzel--Cape Girardeau County
from left......
John Killian-- Jackson County
Karen Digh-Allen--Callaway County
Cher Caudel--Moniteau County
Amanda Huffman--Morgan County
Theresa Lupardus--Miller County
Sandy Jung--Lincoln County
Barbara Copenhaver--Lafayette County
Paula Barr--Saline County

05/01/2018

BEWARE OF YOUR OWN PERSONAL CREDIT RATING

From: Angie Casavecchia [mailto:angiec@jaspercounty.org]
Sent: Tuesday, May 1, 2018 9:51 AM
To: Charli Ackerman <charliackerman@pettiscomo.com>
Cc: Luke boyer <lboyerlaw@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Can you send this out to the association?

Most of you may remember 2 years ago when I was having trouble with my wards unpaid debt being reported to the credit bureaus in my name (because the collection agency’s don’t report by SS#, they report by name- they aren’t supposed to, but that is common practice I was told).  My credit rating went from over 800 to low 600’s.  I’m just sharing that personal info so you get an idea of the trouble that caused me personally.  It was an election year and I was terrified that I wouldn’t be able to bond.  I’ve had a couple more incidents of hospital debt being reported to the credit bureaus as mine, but a letter from my attorney with the threat of litigation has taken care of those.

Fast forward to 2018.  I filed my taxes in February.  Got my Federal refund in about 5 days.  The state refund didn’t come.  I waited for a while and finally looked it up online and found that my refund was “intercepted” and that I would be receiving a letter as to why.  No letter ever came.  Today I get a certified letter from DMH with a check for my full state tax refund.  The letter gave no info on why with was intercepted and wasn’t signed, but there was a phone number for DMH’s reimbursement section.   I called and found that they did intercept my refund for an unpaid bill for DMH services on one of my wards.  They make those interceptions based on SS#, which I NEVER give out.  I asked how did they get my SS#?  I was told that when they searched for me in their CIMOR system (you’ve probably heard of CIMOR- that’s the DMH computer program that has all the wards info in it) and they found my SS# in my employment file because I used to work for DMH.  I have been assured this was a onetime mistake and that they have it taken care of internally.

Don’t know if any of you ever worked for DMH, but make sure you are watching all your financial stuff because it looks like if they need your SS# for anything it is easily accessible in your old employment file. 

I’m getting ready to pull my credit record again.  I get nauseous every time I do.  Blah.

Hey, tomorrow’s May and it’s gonna be wonderful!!!!!!

Angie Casavecchia

04/26/2018

The Incredible Kaycee Nail, associate of Penman Winton, our MAPA Lobbyist

https://issuu.com/…/docs/missouri_times_magazine_-_spring_20

10/25/2017

MO PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS ATTEND NGA CONFERENCE 2017

A GREAT group of MO PA's attend the 2017 NGA Conference in Colorado Springs!

Steve Farmer Jefferson County
Lee Ann Walker Greene County
Jera Pruitt Platte County
Barbara DaVolt Polk County
Rhonda Noe Adair County
Karen Digh Allen Callaway County

06/05/2017

Convention 2017 article in local Jefferson County Newpaper
(sorry I couldn't get the pic from the article to load)

Arnold-Imperial Leader Thursday, June 1, 2017

Jefferson County isn’t necessarily known as a big convention destination, but a gathering of a group of elected officeholders from around the state drew about 300 people to the Festus-Crystal City area this spring. The Missouri Association of Public Administrators (MAPA) held its annual conference April 25-28. The Quality Inn
in Festus served as the base of operations. “We had 144 registered attendees from the 114 counties in Missouri plus St. Louis, and that number included deputies and spouses,” said Jefferson County Public Administrator Steve Farmer, who brought the convention to the county. Farmer said a good time was had – really. “Having a convention of public administrators may not sound exciting to a lot of people, but public administrators have fun,” he said. “We have important jobs to do, but we deal with a lot of difficult situations, and to do that, you have to have a good sense of humor.” “There were 67 vendors who participated,” he said. “All together, I figure the
convention brought at least 300 people into the county. From what I understand, all the hotels in the area were booked and the restaurants were busy in the evening.” Farmer said MAPA rotates its annual meetings around the state among its nine regions, and because he was vice president of Region 8 when its turn came up, he set it up locally. “It’s not necessarily a given that the county of the regional vice president gets the convention,” said Farmer, who lives in Imperial. “But I knew Festus was a good spot to hold it. It has great access – right off of I-55 – a good venue, plenty of hotel rooms nearby and over the last few years, nice restaurants such as Taytro’s, Main and Mill Brewing Co. and the Russell House have opened up. I thought it was a good chance to put our best foot forward.” Public administrators are appointed by the court to represent the affairs of people who cannot make their own decisions when no one else is available to serve that function. Farmer said when he was arranging the schedule of speakers, he wanted to promote the idea of presenting alternatives before an individual’s case is assigned to a public administrator. “That was my mission statement – to work together to find solutions to issues, and to provide alternatives,” he said. “Government is not always the best solution in a lot of cases. “We had Jonathan Martinis, the director of law and policy for the Burton Blatt Institute in Washington, D.C., and he spoke about ways to get families more directly involved before it gets to us,” Farmer said. “When an individual comes under our care, they are considered incapacitated, and they lose many of their rights – the right to make decisions, to More fun than you’d think Public administrators gathered in Festus for state convention vote, to decide to go to Dairy Queen if they want – and we need to try to look at the process before it goes to a judge.” Farmer said because 34 counties elected new public administrators in 2016, this year’s meeting was a vital one. “But even for the established ones, there was a lot of good information and networking going on,” he said. The convention fulfills a state requirement that public administrators get at least 20 hours of training each year. In addition to the economic benefits, the convention allowed many of Farmer’s counterparts to learn about local services, including those offered by Pony Bird Inc., which provides services for profoundly disabled people at facilities in Mapaville and De Soto. “We know about Pony Bird in Jefferson County, but it’s not necessarily well known in other places,” Farmer said. “A lot of people learned about the great job they do and that they didn’t even know they were an option.”He also lined up separate panels of judges and attorneys from around the region to answer questions from the conventioneers.“I feel we were very successful in what we did here,” Farmer said. “From the public administrators I talked to, I think they thought it was a great way to showoff Jefferson County. We’re definitely on people’s radar now. The attorneys, the judges, the restaurant owners and hotel operators said it was a great success.” Jefferson County Public Administrator Steve Farmer addresses the crowd at the opening ceremony of the recent Missouri Association of Public Administrators conference, which was held at the Quality Inn in Festus. “I feel we were very successful in what we did here.”

Steve Farmer
Public administrator

06/05/2017

MO ABLE opens windows of opportunity for Missouri families

Friend,

Yesterday, National Down Syndrome Society President Sara Weir and I published an op-ed in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that explains how the recently launched MO ABLE disability savings program is already making a difference for Missouri families. Excerpts of the op-ed can be found below.

I need all the help I can get to spread the word about this program to the more than 800,000 Missouri residents living with a disability. You can help us do just that by sharing this op-ed on social media with your friends and family!

SHARE ON FACEBOOK | SHARE ON TWITTER

Thank you for your help in making this program a success.

Sincerely,

Eric Schmitt
Missouri State Treasurer
Chair, Missouri ABLE Board
 

Eric Schmitt and Sara Weir
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
June 1, 2017

The government has long incentivized investing in the next generation through tax deductions for contributions to 529 college savings accounts, but for decades there was no parallel incentive for Missourians to save for the long-term needs of a loved one with a disability.

That all changed with the recent launch of the MO ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) disability savings program.

…

MO ABLE enables the creation of tax-free savings accounts that function similarly to Missouri’s MOST 529 College Savings Plan. MO ABLE accounts can be used for disability expenses like housing, transportation, education, medical care and much more.
…

MO ABLE participants can save up to $100,000 without losing eligibility for federal benefits programs. This change is already making a world of difference for countless Missourians and opening new windows of opportunity. Necessary purchases like a fully equipped motorized wheelchair, individualized education materials, or home retro-fitting that may have been unattainable to middle-class families before can now be saved for with greater ease.

In terms of human impact, the launch of MO ABLE marked the most significant public policy change for Missouri’s disability community since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990. This program provides peace of mind and financial security to Missourians whose access to economic opportunity in the past was limited.

…

Good policymaking involves finding a common-sense solution to a complex problem. The solution in this case has been made incredibly simple; signing up for an account on moable.com is a quick and secure process that takes less than 20 minutes. . . 
 

Read the full article >

02/27/2017

Revised Nursing Home/Facility Regulations 2017

To see this in a flyer form, see under website MAPA Newsletter, then Miscellaneous. 

Justice in Aging • www.justiceinaging.org • ISSUE BRIEF • 1
Executive Summary
The involuntary transfer/discharge regulations have changed, but not dramatically. Facilities still can force a transfer/discharge only under one of six specified circumstances, and a resident continues to have the right to contest a proposed transfer/discharge in an administrative hearing. The revised regulations narrow the facility’s ability to base a transfer/discharge on a supposed inability to meet the resident’s needs, by requiring increased documentation by the resident’s physician. The regulations also limit transfer/discharge for nonpayment, by stating that nonpayment has not occurred as long as Medicaid or another third-party payor is considering a claim for the time period in question. All transfer/discharge notices must be sent to the resident, resident representative(s), and (in a new requirement) the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. The revised regulations now explicitly state that a facility cannot discharge a resident while an appeal is pending.
Introduction
On September 28, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released revised nursing facility regulations. These regulations govern most aspects of nursing facility operations, and apply nationwide to any nursing facility that accepts Medicare and/or Medicaid reimbursement.
Justifications for Involuntary Transfer or Discharge
Consistent with the federal statute (the Nursing Home Reform Law of 1987) and the previous regulations, the revised regulations allow a facility to transfer or discharge a resident against the resident’s will only in one of six specified situations:
1.
The facility cannot meet the resident’s needs;
2.
The resident no longer needs nursing facility services;
3.
The resident’s presence endangers the safety of others in the facility;
4.
The resident’s presence endangers the health of others in the facility;
5.
The resident has failed to pay; or
6.
The facility is closing.
The revised regulations have modified the “safety” justification by specifying that the endangerment must be due to the resident’s
A Closer Look at the Revised Nursing Facility Regulations
Involuntary Transfer and Discharge
Acknowledgements
Justice in Aging, National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, and Center for Medicare Advocacy created this issue brief in collaboration. This brief is the second of a series explaining important provisions of the revised regulations.
Justice in Aging • www.justiceinaging.org • ISSUE BRIEF • 2 “clinical or behavioral status.”1 It’s unclear whether this change is particularly meaningful: whenever a facility claims a threat to safety, the allegations generally concern the resident’s clinical conditions or behavior.
In a more useful change, the revised regulations now state that a resident cannot be transferred or discharged for nonpayment if he or she has “submit[ted] the necessary paperwork for third party payment.”2 This provision is particularly relevant for a resident applying for Medicaid coverage. While the Medicaid program is considering the resident’s application, the facility cannot initiate a nonpayment transfer/discharge action. This protection previously had been set forth in the surveyor’s guidelines,3 but now CMS has elevated that protection to the regulations.
Required Notice
Consistent with the statute and the previous regulations, the revised regulations require that the facility provide written notice of the proposed transfer/discharge to the resident and the resident’s representative(s). A new provision requires that notice also be sent to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.
The revised regulations specify that the notice be written in a “language and manner” understood by the resident and representative(s).4 The notice must include:
??
The reason for the transfer/discharge,
??
The proposed effective date,
??
The location to which the resident will be transferred or discharged,
??
Information on the resident’s appeal rights, and
1 42 C.F.R. §483.15(c)(1)(i)(C).
2 42 C.F.R. §483.15(c)(1)(i)(E).
3 CMS’s Surveyor’s Guidelines are found in Appendix PP to the CMS State Operations Manual.
4 42 C.F.R. §483.15(c)(3)(i).
??
Contact information for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program and (if applicable) the agencies responsible for advocacy on behalf of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, or persons with mental disorders.
Notice generally must be given at least 30 days before the proposed transfer/discharge. Notice can be made “as soon as practicable before transfer or discharge,” however, if the resident has resided in the facility for less than 30 days, if the resident’s improved condition allows for a “more immediate transfer or discharge,” or if prompt transfer or discharge is needed to protect the safety or health of others at the facility, or to respond to the resident’s “urgent medical needs.”5 The term “as soon as practicable” is not defined but, in any case, the resident cannot be transferred or discharged while an appeal is pending, unless delay will endanger the health or safety of the resident or others in the facility.
If the information in the notice changes, the facility must let the resident and resident representative(s) know of that change as soon as practicable. This is a regulatory change that is both good and bad for residents. It is good because now the facility has a clear obligation to update information. It is bad because the regulations now seem to allow a notice to be updated without restarting the notice period. Regardless, a resident or representative should demand more time if he or she is prejudiced by a facility “update” made close to the scheduled hearing date.
Required Documentation
Most of the documentation requirements are consistent with the statute and the previous regulations. If a proposed transfer/discharge is based on an alleged danger to safety or health, the need for the transfer/discharge must be documented by a physician. If transfer/discharge is based upon the resident’s needs —either needing
5 42 C.F.R. §483.15(c)(4).
Justice in Aging • www.justiceinaging.org • ISSUE BRIEF • 3
care that the facility cannot provide, or not needing nursing facility care — this documentation must be done by the resident’s physician.
In addition, a new provision applies specifically to transfer/discharge based on the resident allegedly needing care that the facility cannot provide. In these situations, the resident’s physician must document:
??
Specific need(s) that the facility allegedly cannot meet,
??
Attempts by the facility to meet the need(s), and
??
Services available at the receiving facility that supposedly will meet the need(s).6
This documentation requirement may help to deter facilities’ inclination to transfer residents who are perceived as being difficult or “heavy care,” but whose care needs fall within the level of service required by federal law. Since this documentation requirement is new, it will not become effective until November 28, 2017. The other documentation requirements are not new and so are already in effect.
Appeal Rights
The resident has the right to appeal any proposed transfer/discharge. A new provision requires the facility to assist the resident if the resident needs help in completing and submitting a request for an appeal.
Appeals are governed by the same regulations that apply to Medicaid hearings, and those regulations were untouched by this round of regulatory changes. Residents continue to have a right to examine relevant documents prior to the administrative hearing, and to cross-examine adverse witnesses.
As mentioned above, a facility cannot carry out an involuntary transfer or discharge while an appeal is pending.
6 42 C.F.R. § 483.15(c)(2)(i)(B), (ii); see 81 Fed. Reg. at 68,734.
Discharge Planning
Other provisions of the nursing facility regulations require that a facility have a discharge plan for each resident, and provide an explanation whenever discharge from the facility is not considered feasible. The transfer/discharge regulations include a separate provision, retained from the previous regulations, that requires the facility to provide sufficient preparation and orientation to ensure a safe and orderly transfer or discharge. The orientation “must be provided in a form and manner that the resident can understand.”7
Effective Dates
Almost all of the provisions relating to involuntary transfer/discharge became effective on November 28, 2016. The exception is the requirement that the resident’s physician provide extra documentation when the facility claims that it cannot meet the resident’s needs. This requirement will become effective on November 28, 2017.
Finding the Regulations
Involuntary transfer or discharge is discussed in section 483.15(c) of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
7 42 C.F.R. § 483.15(c)(7).
Justice in Aging • www.justiceinaging.org • ISSUE BRIEF • 4
Tips for Residents and Advocates
File an appeal. Far too frequently, residents are intimidated by notices and by the appeal process, but they should not hesitate to file an appeal whenever they do not want to leave the facility and believe the facility’s allegations do not justify an involuntary transfer or discharge. The appeal should be filed as quickly as possible because there is limited time to file. Even if a resident is unsure about appealing, it is a good idea to file in order to preserve the opportunity.
Get help quickly. Residents can contact the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman program for information and assistance. In some cases, ombudsmen can work with the resident to resolve the problem without a hearing and the resident can remain in the facility. To find the local ombudsman program, go to www.ltcombudsman.org.
Pursue all appeal routes when Medicaid (or other third-party payor) is still processing a claim for payment. The regulations now clearly state that such a situation is not considered to be nonpayment. If a Medicaid program has issued a denial, but the resident believes that denial is improper, the resident should appeal both the Medicaid denial and the facility’s proposed transfer/discharge. These are separate appeal processes.
Don’t allow dementia to be a justification for transfer/discharge. Sometimes nursing facilities attempt to transfer residents with dementia on the grounds that the facility cannot meet the resident’s needs. This claim often is made when the resident is deemed “difficult” due to dementia and/or personality, and sometimes perversely cites the fact that the resident or resident’s family member may have complained about the quality of care. These attempts should be resisted — dementia is common among residents, and facility staff should be well-trained in how to communicate with, and care for persons with dementia. The care planning process (discussed in issue brief #1) is the best way for residents, representatives, and facility staff to discuss how the facility’s care can best address the resident’s needs.
Use the requirement for additional documentation when a transfer/discharge is based on the facility’s supposed inability to meet the resident’s needs. This documentation must be completed or the transfer/discharge is not valid. Even if the documentation is present, residents and advocates may be able to show that it is inadequate. For example, attempts by the facility to meet the resident’s needs may have been insufficient. Also, the service level in the proposed receiving facility may be no different than the services in the current facility.
Consider obtaining representation. While transfer/discharge hearings are relatively informal, they can still be difficult for those who are not familiar with the regulations. In some states, ombudsmen will represent residents. Private lawyers and legal aid attorneys may also provide representation.

01/30/2017

State Auditor on County Audit Findings for Public Administrators

Summary of County Audit Findings - Public Administrator
Report No. 2016-141

To view the audit report, click the following link:
http://app.auditor.mo.gov/ AuditReports/AudRpt2.aspx?id= 60

01/30/2017

Federal funds to boost Missouri mental health clinics through demonstration project

About a dozen of Missouri’s mental health clinics will receive an infusion of federal money in 2017, after the state was one of eight selected to be part of a national demonstration project.

The clinics will be required to collect and report quality data and meet a set of criteria, which will determine how much money they receive. It’s part of a $1.1 billion measure to improve the quality of mental health and addiction services. The law that created the program, the Excellent in Mental Health Act, was introduced by U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt, R-Mo, and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., in 2013.

“When these criteria came out, we said 'wow — we’re doing almost 80 percent of this stuff already,'” said Joe Yancey, the CEO of Places for People, which serves about 1,500 people with severe mental illnesses in St. Louis each year.

Places for People and several other Missouri clinics have spent the past couple years gearing up to participate in the project. Yancey said the organization will now expand to serve children as well as adults and adolescents.

Brent McGinty, president and CEO of the Missouri Coalition for Community Behavioral Healthcare said improving quality will mean coordinating mental and physical health.

“If they might have diabetes, they might have other physical health issues that are exacerbated by their conditions on the behavioral health side. So the [clinics] will be able to provide those kinds of integrated health services,” McGinty said.

The demonstration project will last for two years.

01/05/2017

Community Room in Courthouse named in honor of Farnen family

Posted on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 10:51 am

Front row, from left: Craig Feldman, Henry Feldman, Julie Feldman, and Jane Farnen. Back row-Melody Farnen, Pat Farnen, and Ted Farnen.

With four members from the Farnen family combining for 54 years of public service to Audrain County residents, the county commissioners voted to name the Community Room in the basement of the courthouse in their honor.
Last Tuesday, an official dedication ceremony was held for the Farnen Family Community Room.
Jane Farmen, who was the Audrain County Public Administrator from January 1969-January 1977 and who was appointed by Governor Joe Teasdale for a term from 1978-January 1981, said it would have been good for her late husband Kevin Farnen to be present for the ceremony.
The late Kevin Farnen served as the Audrain County Coroner from January 1977-January 2001.
“I’m just certain that his interest in government and politics and being completely involved in personal and public improvement were inspiring to our sons in their determination to do what they have done as far as service to other people is concerned. So he was and I am very proud of them for what they have done.”
Kevin and Jane’s son Patrick Farnen served as Audrain County Coroner from January 2001-January 2013. Meanwhile, Ted Farnen served as a State Representative from January 1995-January 2003.
Jane shared a fun late Summer of 1968 story involving her husband.
She said one day Kevin came home and noted that no one was going to run for public administrator.
“What are you doing?,” is what Kevin asked Jane.
Jane later checked on what the requirements were of the position and shared how she was concerned that nobody new her though they knew her husband.
She was told “don’t worry about it, you’re a democrat, just file and you’ll have it.”
Jane said it was a very frightening experience for her but it was very good for her as well.
“I hope then and hope now that it was good in regard to helping people and being of service to Audrain County,” she added.
At the time, Jane Farnen said she was only responsible for about 15 people, much different than what is required of the position today.
Jane Farnen shared several stories from her time serving as the county’s public administrator to a Community Room packed of friends, past and present county officers, and more.
Her son Ted was also appreciative of the honor. He also gave praise to his parents for what they were taught about public service.
Former Audrain County Presiding Commissioner Richard Webber made a few brief remarks as he talked about his relationship with the family that dates back some 60 years to attending school at Community R-VI.
Western Commissioner Tom Groves presented the family an official proclamation for the dedication.

12/28/2016

St Francois County Public Administrator recognized for years of service.

Associate Commissioner Patrick Mullins reads a resolution honoring Kenneth Rohrer, for his 31 years of service as County Public Administrator


The St. Francois County Commission recently presented a county resolution to the soon to be retired Public Administrator Kenneth Rohrer.

St. Francois County Associate Commissioner Patrick Mullins read the St. Francois County Commission resolution to Rohrer during a recent commission meeting.

“Whereas it is with great pride and sincere admiration that members of the St. Francois County Commission pause to recognize an outstanding St. Francois County citizen who has distinguished himself as public administrator for St. Francois County,” read Mullins. “Whereas Kenneth Rohrer is an esteemed resident of St. Francois County and is to be commended for numerous contributions he has made to the St. Francois County office of public administrator of the citizens of St. Francois County.”

Mullins continued on saying Rohrer served with honor and distinction as public administrator for St. Francois County for 31 faithful years and had numerous accomplishments.

“Whereas Kenneth Rohrer has earned the admiration and respect of his direct employees of the county and members of the community,” said Mullins. “He is blessed with the love and support of his son Mathew Rohrer, daughter Anne Rohrer and grandchildren. Whereas Ken Rohrer is an outstanding citizen and member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Farmington, Missouri Bar Association, Farmington Elks Lodge 1765.”

Mullins said the St. Francois County Commission unanimously joined in recognizing an outstanding and dedicated employee, citizen, father, son, brother, grandfather and friend.

12/10/2016

The Fulton Sun
Donate a bear; help someone smile

December 9th, 2016by Jenny Grayin Local NewsRead Time: 1 min.

Bonnie Sherer, office assistant with the Callaway County...

Photo by Jenny Gray /Fulton Sun.

The December holidays are upon us, but staff at the Callaway County Public Administrator's office are already thinking about Valentine's Day.

They are collecting teddy bears to distribute to seniors living in Callaway County nursing homes in early February.

"Last year, we had enough teddy bears to go into every room in the county, where they were needed," Public Administrator Karen Digh Allen said.

The program has been headed for the last few years by Bonnie Sherer, Allen's office assistant.

"We had more than 200 donated last year," she said. "We got them from Kiwanis, and we get them from the Clothes Cupboard."

Sometimes families donate them, too, Allen said, and it's hoped people will contribute gently used teddy bears and other stuffed animals, plus jigsaw puzzles and new hats for men and women, too. The donations may be dropped off at the public administrator's office at 10 W. Sixth St. across from Exchange Bank in downtown Fulton.

Sherer took over the collection effort when she started her job in 2013. The best part, she said, is watching the seniors' faces when they are handed a bear, and they hug them tight.

"It feels great," Sherer added. "We brighten people's days and Valentine's Day."

For more information, contact Sherer at 573-642-0720.

12/06/2016

Angie Casavecchia, Jasper County public administrator
Christmas Angel Tree for clients

Several gift drives underway as Christmas approaches

Angie Casavecchia, Jasper County public administrator, arranges ornaments on Monday at the Jasper County
Courthouse in Carthage. County wards served by her office are named on tags on the tree, and area residents
may select one for whom to purchase Christmas gifts. The drive is just of many underway in the area.
Globe | Roger Nomer

The presents under the courthouse Christmas tree aren't just decorations, reminders that the holidays are upon us.
They are the holiday spirit in action — real gifts that might contain pajamas or coloring books chosen by community
members from the wish lists of Jasper County’s legal wards.

Anyone can “adopt” one of the 300 people whose names decorate the tree and include them in their holiday shopping.
Presents left beneath the tree will be delivered by the office of the public administrator to its wards, most of whom have come under the legal guardianship of the county because of a disability.

The program is one of scores being put on across the Joplin area to make sure the holiday spirit reaches every part of the community.

Established in 2009, the gift drive for county wards has become a tradition embraced by local organizations and much anticipated by the wards themselves.

“They are always so thankful to get a gift,” said Angie Casavecchia, public administrator. “A lot of them, if we didn’t get them anything, I’m not sure they would have something to open.”

Two-thirds of the county’s approximately 450 wards participate in the program, having been selected because their bank accounts are empty. Wards of the county receive $30 a month for personal expenses, a category that includes necessities like toothbrushes and underwear.

Casavecchia’s office is also giving organizations the chance to sponsor a small tree decorated with the names of those personal care products. As with the gift drive, the items can be left beneath the courthouse tree.

To buy a gift for a county ward or sponsor a small tree, call 417-358-4268.

10/31/2016

Congrats to Karen Digh Allen, Callaway County, as recipient of the NGA Guardian Excellence Award!

10/30/2016

Congrats toDebra L. Gwin, NCG 2016 Fred Kretz Cornerstone Award Recipient

Debbie Gwin at Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport Hotel & Convention Center. North Charleston, SC ·

 Clay County Public Administrator Debra L. Gwin, NCG 2016 Fred Kretz Cornerstone Award Recipient

09/12/2016

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR?

Proactive

Understanding

Believing

Leader

Imaginative

Communicator

Attentive

Dedicated

Manager

Inquiring

Nurturing

Innovative

Strong

Tactful

Reliable

Ambitious

Trustworthy

Open Minded

Responsible

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS ARE GAME CHANGERS!

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS ARE LIFE CHANGERS! 

BEING A PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR IS LEARNING ABOUT STRENGTHS YOU DON’T KNOW YOU HAD, AND DEALING WITH FEARS YOU DIDN’T KNOW EXISTED!

STRIVE TO BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE

FROM MAPA CONFERENCE 2016 

08/03/2016

Lois Noland reflects on service as Macon County Public Administrator

Some say it is the hardest job in all of Macon County.

Elected in 2004, Lois Noland is in her twelfth year as Macon County’s Public Administrator. Charged with taking care of individuals in the county that are not able to make decisions for themselves, Noland sees the task as a ministry more than a job. “I filed for this position after much prayer and consideration, and there have been many situations that I’ve just had to turn over to God.”

Growing up in extreme Northwest Missouri, Noland’s had experience with many dysfunctional families, including poverty, mental illness and developmental disabilities to help prepare her for the job. “The more I work with families the more I understand we all have members who are stronger and weaker, but everyone I’ve met has a strength that can be built upon.”

Former Public Administrator Dick Jones recruited Noland for the position while she served as the activities director of Macon Health Care. At that job, Noland learned the challenges of working with the elderly.

“I worried about my heart, that I’d fall in love with those people and lose bits of it, and I did…In my first week, a resident had a heart attack in the dining room. We all rushed in and he died with his head in my lap. I learned so much about life and death, dementia, depression, mental illness, diabetes and elderly issues that I assist my clients with still today,” said Noland. “But it is still very challenging dealing with the emotional attachment to my clients.”

The job takes more than just a big heart.

Public Administrators serve in the capacity of a guardian taking the responsibility of the decisions regarding the person, a conservator taking the responsibility of the decisions regarding the finances or a personal representative taking responsibility regarding an estate.

Noland is charged with tending to a current case load of 76 individuals. “Each year, I provide a report to the court, accounting for every dollar and cent for the transactions for every person under my care,” explained Noland.

Public Administrators are charged with handling paperwork for Medicaid, Medicare, disability, insurance policies, pre-paid burials, the Veterans Administration… the list goes on and on. Some estates we deal with are owned by millionaires,” explained Noland. “The paperwork and accounting responsibilities are significant.”

“I also oversee my assistant’s work and handle the monthly financial obligations and life decisions of dozens of clients with very complicated lives,” added Noland. “I speak with doctors, lawyers, judges and occasionally call and complain to those in the state capitol!”

Prior to filing for office, public administrator candidates in Missouri must be bonded, protecting taxpayers from potential fraud and abuse by officeholders. Public administrators have access to all financial information of their clients. Often, candidates with personal credit issues have trouble getting bonded.

Public administrators deal with a variety of individuals with a variety of disabilities.

Noland says her caseload is filled with individuals who have been deemed incapacitated or disabled. The diagnoses includes borderline personality disorder, bipolar, paranoid schizophrenia, MRDD, heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Noland’s background in childcare for 19 years also helped prepared her for the job. “I always taught kids and their parents about expected behavior. When behavior is not appropriate there are consequences. The same is true for my clients. When serving as their guardian/conservator there is accountability,” said Noland.

“Today I’m teaching clients that their negative behavior will have consequences and that it’s not always caused by their mental illness - sometimes it’s a choice. By that same standard, I’m teaching positive actions lead to a less restrictive environment such as independent living,” added Noland.

“Medication and dietary compliance are two very important issues that have consequences and oversight is sometimes necessary for the health of the client.”

A job that comes with many risks and difficult decisions.

The dangers of the job of public administrators are growing, as the average age of clients becomes younger due to substance abuse and other societal problems. “Working with clients dealing with PTSD or certain drug addictions adds a certain level of difficulty to the job,” added Noland.

“Finding placement is an extra challenge that’s increasing every year. For clients with difficult diagnoses such as PICA, it is extremely difficult. There are no facilities in this area so you’re seeking placement in St. Louis or Kansas City and those beds are hard to come by.”

Other tough issues facing public administrators include end-of life-decisions, guardianship of minors and lack of funding and health benefits to pay for care.

The next Macon County Public Administrator will be chosen in August.

The election to replace Noland as Public Administrator will be decided in the August primary as no Democrats and four Republicans filed for the position. Candidates include Johnny Contratto, John Czuba, Craig Fuller and Joe Thomas.

Noland encourages voters to carefully review candidates’ experiences that fit the task: “Anyone you know can come under the care of the public administrator,” said Noland.

During Noland’s years of service, she has served many of the county’s poorest residents, but has also served as the guardian of a retired MU Professor, an electrical engineer, a retired medical doctor and retired teachers. “Sometimes there is no family to serve as the guardian/conservator and then sometimes there is a wonderful family but for one reason or the other they are not the best choice to make the tough decisions that need to be made,” explained Noland.

“We should look for candidates that have not only a big heart, but also the maturity and experience to deal with the paperwork and integrity to protect the clients and the office.”

Noland added that she looks forward to working with the next public administrator to ensure the clients she has befriended over the years have their needs met.

07/11/2016

Tammy Bond, Vernon County public administrator

Saturday, July 9, 2016
By Johannes Brann

Upon being elected Vernon County's Public Administrator in 2008, Tammy Bond inherited a caseload of 91 and since then has closed out 56 cases but has received 100 new ones. "Some days, taking care of your own kids can be overwhelming but being responsible for the finances, housing, medical care and personal well-being of 131 people is daunting," said Bond. "And yet, these are not cases but people, and each of them means so much to me!" Johannes Brann/Daily Mail

Nevada Daily Mail

"I wanted this job because of what happened to my parents," said Tammy Bond, Vernon County's public administrator.

"When I was 2-years-old, my father had a cerebral hemorrhage," began Bond. "They went in and found cancer. It was 1960 and they didn't have the chemo drugs they have today. So they gave him cobalt radiation treatments, which stopped the cancer but mentally, left him a child. My mom took care of him for years and raised us as well. She had several nervous breakdowns."

"Years later, my mother needed to be in a nursing home and there she suffered from neglect," said Bond. "She developed an open wound on her foot and eventually lost her leg. That made me ask, 'Who looks out for the residents and holds people responsible?'"

"I had been working as office manager at Bowman Title for 10 years and before that at the old Thornton Bank," said Bond. "On top of that, I'm a mom and that taught me how to solve problems with firmness and compassion. Put that all together and you could say my whole life was preparation for this job."

The public administrator serves clients as the court appointed guardian and conservator. Following a death, when family cannot be located, the public administrator is to preserve assets until family can be located or to manage the estate when no one is available.

"While I was first elected in November of 2008 and wasn't sworn in until January the next year, I quit my job early and job shadowed my amazing predecessor, Virginia Habjan," said Bond. "On our first day together, we had to pick up a client who was a paranoid schizophrenic and take him to the doctor. He didn't want to go but Virginia's patience and persistence did the trick."

"That took all morning," said Bond. "Then, in the afternoon, Virginia got a call from the landlord of one of her clients. The client had been dead for over a week. As we finished that up she turned to me and said, 'Welcome to your baptism by fire!' I didn't anticipate being in the frying pan on my first day and I was only job shadowing."

Upon being sworn into office in January 2009, Bond began to administer Habjan's 91 cases. From that day to the end of 2015, Bond received 100 new cases while closing 56. Bond began this year being responsible for 131 clients.

"It can be wearing to work with clients who call all hours of the day or night but the hardest part are all the sexual issues I face with them," said Bond. "The worries I had as a parent were nothing compared to what I face with my clients. After all, the reason they're not on their own is because they lack good judgment. Some take advantage of others while far more -- female and male -- are taken advantage of by others."

Bond has to speak with clients and repeatedly reinforce messages about personal hygiene, modesty and keeping one's clothes on.

"Years ago, most of the administrator's clients would be in the state hospital and needed only annual visits and a little paperwork," said Bond.

As of the end of 2015, 25 of Bond's clients were in nursing homes, 15 in residential care, eight in state run facilities, two are estates she manages and 81 are in individualized supported living placements at apartments or houses. In terms of age, 57 of her clients are under 45, some 37 are between ages 45 and 65, while another 37 are over the age of 65.

"I constantly battle and I'm constantly frustrated by the privatization of mental health in this state," said Bond. "Oh yes, there are state run facilities but none of them are in Southwest Missouri."

"I run into this problem most often when clients stop taking the medications which control their mental health issues," noted Bond. "What's best is for the client to be admitted for a few days into a mental health facility. There the person can be evaluated, given the proper medications and taught once more about the importance of daily taking them."

"There are private facilities," said Bond. "But that leads you into a catch-22 situation. You see, to get someone into a private mental health facility the person must first have had a mental health evaluation by a qualified professional."

"But here's what happens instead," explained Bond. "A client stops taking medications, causes problems, the police are called and he or she is taken to the hospital. And while that sounds fine, it's almost a sure bet the hospital will not order a mental health evaluation."

"And why is that?" asked Bond. "Because most hospitals don't have a mental health professional readily available in the emergency room or on call. At that point the hospital could admit the patient but if there's nothing physically wrong then that would require -- and you guessed it -- a mental health evaluation."

"So what happens instead?" asked Bond. "The hospital will give the person the needed meds, make sure the person is relatively coherent and calm and call me to ask how soon I can pick up the client."

"What's so sad and even dangerous is that sometimes this cycle is only broken when the person's misbehavior rises to the level of being 'a clear and present danger to self or others,'" said Bond. "When that happens the system jumps, a bed is found and help is given for at least 96 hours."

Bond's caseload of 131 compares to 186 in Henry County but 80 in Cedar County and 16 in Hickory County.

"Forty clients is a full-time caseload," said Bond. "I am grateful to our county commissioners for seeing the clients as the valuable people they are and providing this office with the staff we need in order to serve them adequately."

"This line of work is rather intense," said Bond. "Either you despise it and get out or you are like those of us in this office who see the clients as extended family and you care about them deeply. We work hard to keep each of them safe, healthy and give them as large a world as possible."

"One young man would not behave," said Bond. "And so I said, 'If you cause no trouble for a certain period of time then I will take you to that concert you want to attend in Kansas City. He was perfect and I found myself at a concert. Now he listens and tells others to be good."

"Another client, an older man, was a wanderer," related Bond. "Born in California, we could not locate any family and so the state filed for me to be guardian. After several years he needed hospice care. He sometimes mentioned a sister having a surf shop back there. I posted information online and that sister saw it and said, 'Oh my gosh, that's my brother!' She contacted another sister in Arkansas and both came here. He recognized them, they had a wonderful visit, my thoughts drifted back to my parents and I knew why I do this job."

06/29/2016

CONGRATS TO DEBBIE GWIN....ONCE AGAIN!

On June 23, 2016 Debbie Gwin was once again the recipient of another award.  This time she was given the Award of Excellence 2015 Working for the Public Good Award by VSI (Vocational Services, Inc.)

06/15/2016

Boone County Public Administrator Wins 2016 NACo Achievement Award for Boone County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

 Columbia, MO June 14, 2016—The National Association of Counties (NaCo) has awarded Boone County its 2016 Achievement award for a program Cathy Richards initiated entitled: “Establishing Charitable Funding to Cover Uncovered Healthcare.”  As the 2016 Achievement winner, Cathy will be flying to Los Angeles to represent Boone County and receive the award on July 24th at NACo’s 2016 Annual Conference and Exposition in Los Angeles County, California. NACo represents thousands of counties nationwide and sent their congratulations today to Boone County for its “continued work to promote the betterment of county services and programs.”

“I’m certainly humbled by this award,” Cathy Richards said when asked. “But this was never about awards. This program was designed to help the most vulnerable when no money was available but clients were still suffering and needed help.  Personally, I feel I’m accepting this award for all the Public Administrators of Missouri. Very few people are aware of what Public Administrators actually do, but we creatively problem solve critical issues like these almost each and every day.”

Cathy began developing this program when Medicaid funding was dramatically cut in 2005 and dental care was eliminated for most of the individuals assigned to Public Administrators statewide. Cathy Richards won the Missouri Association of Counties (MAC) Achievement Award for Boone County in 2015.

Cathy was contacted today by Brittany A. Raymond, the Public Affairs Coordinator of the National Association of Counties.

04/12/2016
PA's attend MAC Legislative Conference

Karen Digh-Allen (Callaway), Mary Jo Straatmann (Franklin), Cathy Richards (Boone), Barbara DaVolt (Polk), Kathy Oliver (Phelps), Cher Caudel (Moniteau), Charli Ackerman (Pettis)

03/07/2016

Columbia Tribune
Review committee rejects proposal for Columbia psychiatric hospital

By JODIE JACKSON JR.

Monday, March 7, 2016 at 12:43 pm

The state Health Facilities Review Committee on Monday denied a proposal for a $12.7 million, 60-bed psychiatric hospital designed primarily for patients older than 55.

A 2½-hour public hearing included testimony from hospital executives in Fulton, Mexico, Moberly and Jefferson City, all of whom said they already had bed space for the over-55 and geriatric population in Mid-Missouri. Texas-based Oceans Healthcare in December filed a certificate of need application for the proposed $12.7 million Columbia Behavioral Health psychiatric hospital on the east side of Chinaberry Drive and Old 63 in the Bluff Creek Estates area. The application proposed a 44,000-square-foot hospital with 60 psychiatric beds.

Despite an assurance from Oceans Healthcare CEO Stuart Archer that the proposed site would be shifted to 3215 Range Line St., the committee voted 5-2 to deny the certificate of need application. Oceans officials said the hospital would meet the growing need for inpatient psychiatric care for a population that is getting older and living longer.

Several Bluff Creek Estates area residents at Monday’s hearing briefly applauded when Archer said Oceans would build at the alternate site. They cheered more loudly after the committee voted to reject the proposal.

David Schlossman was among the Bluff Creek residents still opposed to the application based on projections about how the project aimed to meet the need for local psychiatric services. He said approval of the application “would have discouraged other providers” from coming into the area to offer inpatient psychiatric care for kids, adolescents and the general adult population.

Archer said Oceans officials planned to regroup “and examine all our options.”

Marty Vollmar, a St. Louis-area physician, made the motion to reject the application and said the initial location wasn’t the only problem with the proposal.

“They filed a bad application,” he said. “From what I can hear and what I understand, there is not a need” for inpatient beds for psychiatric patients.

Mike Powell, CEO of Fulton Medical Center, said approving the project “would come at an extreme detriment” to other area hospitals that already have unfilled psychiatric beds for geriatric patients.

State Rep. Caleb Jones, R-Columbia, requested the location change; he later voted in favor of the application.

Several representatives with CenterPointe Hospital also spoke in opposition to the Oceans Healthcare application. CenterPointe Hospital, based in St. Charles, last month submitted a letter of intent to the Health Facilities Review Committee to build a 75-bed, $22 million psychiatric hospital in Columbia at the northeast corner of Range Line Street and International Drive. CenterPointe CEO Buddy Turner has said his company’s proposal would not move forward if the Oceans Healthcare application were approved.

Boone County Public Administrator Cathy Richards, who offered testimony in favor of the Oceans proposal, said the lack of mental health hospitalization options is not limited to Mid-Missouri.

“There is an ongoing distressing lack of psychiatric facilities available to provide mental health care and long-term treatment to any individuals diagnosed as mentally ill in most of Missouri,” Richards said.

Richards said about 72 percent of the 430 clients in her care had some form of mental illness.

“The need here is great, and any service is better than no service at all,” she said.

03/01/2016

UPDATE ON 2016 CONVENTION IN CAPE G.

per Pam Lape 

They are really excited to have everyone come down to Cape and see their unique historic region.

One night will be a movie night with free soft drinks and popcorn at the Theatre.

One night will be taking the trolley downtown for shopping and good eats at the restaurant of your choice.

One night will be taking the trolley to the Casino downtown.

One night they will have a hospitality room.

 They are finalizing a “active shooter scenario” demonstration.

They are really excited about the speakers they have lined up and are putting finishing touches on the schedule. 

02/29/2016
Congrats to Sherry Shamel who received a Resolution on the House Floor at the Capital for her achievment in receiving the CGC National Guardian Excellence Award.
Way to Go Sherry!

Laclede County Public Administrator Sherry Shamel was treated to a surprise party of sorts on the floor of the Missouri House of Representatives chamber on Wednesday.

Shamel was in Jefferson City Wednesday afternoon for the Missouri Association of Public Administrators’ Lobby Days.

“We are trying to get some things passed this year to help with our jobs, and since I am one of the co-chairs I felt that I needed to be there, Shamel wrote in a Facebook message later. Shamel was running late for an appointment with 123rd District Rep. Diane Franklin, R-Camdenton.

“... When I got to Diane’s office, I was immediately told we were going to the floor of the House chambers, and I just followed along with everyone else. And people were saying things to me like ‘Don’t you want to take your coat off?’ and ‘Can I hold your stuff for you?’ I know I was a little breathless after that long walk to the Capitol, but I was beginning to think my age must really be showing,” Shamel wrote.

“So we get in the Chambers, and we are escorted to the area where you are going to be walking in front of everyone, and I told one of the other PAs, ‘I don’t know what we are doing, but I will try my best to wing it.’ (I was) thinking I was going to have to speak in front of all the House of Representatives."

02/29/2016

SEE YOUR LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE AT WORK!
This is Kathy Oliver, Co-Chair of Legislative Committee, sitting with Rep Jason Chipman. Kathy is testifying in support of House Bill 2090. Connie Thompson also testified, but unfortunately no pic.
Thanks Kathy and Connie and all the other PA's who attended Lobby Days!

HB 2090 (R-Chipman), specifying that public administrators shall not be required to disclose their personal financial information in order to serve as guardian or conservator, was heard yesterday in House-Civil and Criminal Proceedings. The committee received several letters of support from MAPA members.

12/09/2015

Shamel receives national honor

Posted: Monday, December 7, 2015 4:56 pm | Updated: 5:01 pm, Mon Dec 7, 2015.

One of Laclede County’s own was recently recognized for excellence in her profession.

At its annual conference in Mesa, Ariz., the Center for Guardianship Certification (CGC) recognized Laclede County Public Administrator Sherry Shamel with the National Certified Guardian Excellence Award.

According to a media release from the CGC, the award recognizes exemplary work as CGC National Certified Guardian as well as demonstrated knowledge of advanced guardianship concepts, ethics and issues.

“I was very honored that they nominated me, and I’m very proud of it,” Shamel said Monday.

Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan appointed Shamel as Laclede County’s public administrator in 1999, and she earned her National Certified Guardian Certification in 2004. Today, Shamel is in her fourth term, and her office handles 150 cases with one full-time and one part-time employee. In her position, she serves as Guardian and Conservator, Personal Representative of decendent’s estates and Trustee of Individual Trusts.

Shamel is also a member of the Missouri Association of Public Administrators, in which she has served in a variety of volunteer and leadership roles.

11/19/2015

CONGRATS TO TWO OF OUR MAPA PA'S HONORED WITH 2015 NGA AWARDS!

WOW! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO SHERRY AND REBBECCA!!!!

THE MAPA AWARDS COMMITTEE NOMINATED TWO OF OUR OUTSTANDING PA'S THAT WERE NGA MEMBERS AND BOTH of our nominees for the NGA awards………..WERE CHOSEN AS THE RECIPIENTS OF THE AWARDS!!!! YEAH!!

The NGA Awards Committee has chosen our very own……….

Sherry Shamel for the National Guardianship Excellence Award!!!!!!!!!!
Rebbecca Lake Wood for the National Master Guardian Star Achievement Award!!!!!!!!!!

My pics of Sherry and Rebbecca are not loading properly right now. I will put the pics up as soon as possible.

CONGRATS AND WOW AGAIN!! HOW PROUD OUR ASSOCIATION SHOULD BE!!!