Since its launch in June 2023, Project Guardianship’s Guardianship Prevention and Support Helpline has become a vital statewide resource — and has now reached a major milestone: serving its 2,000th caller. The Helpline, the first and only dedicated service of its kind in New York, offers free and confidential information and referrals to individuals, families, caregivers, and professionals facing questions about the Article 81 adult guardianship process and its alternatives.
Created to fill a long-standing gap, the Helpline walks callers through Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law and its related court procedures, as well as less restrictive alternatives to guardianship such as powers of attorney, health care proxies, and community-based supports. It also provides information about procedures related to existing guardianship and connects those concerned about those guardianships to trusted local resources and organizations. Operating Monday through Friday, the Helpline provides multilingual support in more than 120 languages through phone interpretation and translation services, ensuring that all information and resources available to them are accessible to all New Yorkers, regardless of background or language. People can also contact the Helpline anytime via email, voicemail, or webform.
Since its inception, the Helpline has continued to grow rapidly, becoming the go-to source for guardianship information statewide. “Our goal is to educate people and provide them with resources about every aspect of the guardianship process, while also making them aware of all possible guardianship alternatives so they can make the most informed decisions on how best to help an individual in need,” said Deena Schwartz, Director of NYS Guardianship Initiatives at Project Guardianship.
Along the way, the Helpline has also gathered valuable insight into the landscape of guardianship needs across New York. The calls it receives paint a vivid picture of who is seeking help and what kinds of challenges they are facing. Many callers are family members trying to support aging parents or relatives living with dementia or other cognitive impairments. Others are social workers, attorneys, or health care professionals looking for resources to better assist their clients. The most common questions center on understanding when guardianship is appropriate, how to begin or contest the process, and what alternatives exist that allow individuals to retain as much independence as possible. With an aging population and more families navigating complex care decisions, the Helpline’s success reflects not just a milestone, but a deepening awareness of the importance of education about adult guardianship as well as its less-restrictive options and alternatives.
“There is a growing concern about how people can ensure their needs and wishes are met as they age across New York State,” said Anne P. Meyer, Staff Attorney. “We see it clearly across the 2,000 calls we’ve received. Our goal, is to empower them to act with the best and most accurate knowledge available to overcome any fears and uncertainty they feel when facing this guardianship system.”
As it celebrates this achievement, Project Guardianship continues to expand the Helpline’s reach through community partnerships, outreach, and education, ensuring that vulnerable New Yorkers — especially those in underrepresented or underserved communities — can access the help they need. Each of the 2,000 calls represents a moment of guidance, understanding, and empowerment for someone seeking a path forward.