U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Scan of the Guardianship Abuse and Fraud Data Landscape
NCJ Number
              307522

Author(s)
          Pamela B. Teaster;
                        Erica Wood;
                        Sally B. Hurme;
                        E. Carlisle Shealy
Date Published

September 2022
Length
              37 pages
Annotation
              This paper constitutes the scan of the data landscape portion of a four-part environmental scan of the issues of abuse by guardians and systemic guardianship abuse, requested in 2021 by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).
Abstract
              The results a four-part environmental scan of the issues of abuse by guardians and systemic guardianship abuse, requested in 2021 by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), reveal the need for more work and reform related to abuse and fraud by individual guardians and the guardianship system. The scan consisted of a literature review of research; a scan of the data landscape; a scan of legal, policy, and practice context; and considerations for data collection. This paper constitutes the scan of the data landscape portion of the study and examines state collection of data on adult guardianship. The findings show that a growing number of states can readily identify the total number of adult guardianship cases the court system is responsible for monitoring; however, comparability across states and the ability to eventually produce national estimates are hindered by numerous inconsistencies. The paper also focuses on state court administrative approaches to identifying, analyzing, and acting on abuse and fraud by guardians. Finally, the paper highlights state champions for data collection as well as challenges in acquiring the information courts need. The investigation implemented a mixed-methods approach, seeking qualitative information through key informant interviews and quantitative information through a survey, both directed at the offices of state court administrators. As shown in the interviews and the survey, one important key to bolstering guardianship data is the advocacy of champions, who push to have better data collection systems and adequate funding to support such systems. These champions were frequently the chief justice, the directors of state court administrative offices and their staff, and national organizations such as NCSC.
      
  
          Additional Details
Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored
    
  
  
Date Published: September 1, 2022
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF
                  PDF (Full Report)

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Social and Behavioral Science
        Elder abuse
        Victims of crime
        Research and development
        Literature Reviews



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Effect of Muzzle Gases on Forward Spatter of Viscoelastic Blood in Close-range Shooting
                  The Structure, Services, and Products of State School Safety Centers
                  Identifying COVID-19 Policies and Practice that Juvenile Justice Systems Should Maintain Long-Term: Listening Session 3: State Juvenile Justice Agency Administrators
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov