NEW YORK, NY — Guardianship Access New York (GANY), a statewide coalition of nonprofit guardians and elder and disability justice advocates, commends the Hochul Administration and the New York State Master Plan for Aging (MPA) Council for recognizing the urgent need to strengthen and reform Article 81 guardianship across the state.
The final MPA report, released June 30, includes a bold recommendation to establish an annually funded, statewide guardianship program. The proposal—ranked “high” in both feasibility and impact—acknowledges a long-standing crisis: New York’s courts frequently struggle to identify available and qualified guardians, leaving some of the state’s most vulnerable adults without the protection they need.
The $15 million minimum investment included in the final plan would advance GANY’s proposed solution: the creation of a Statewide Initiative of Nonprofit Guardians (SING)—a trusted, community-based network of nonprofit providers that builds local capacity while ensuring consistent quality and oversight. This model directly reflects the report’s call for centralized program management, robust data collection, increased public awareness, and regular system reviews to strengthen New York’s guardianship infrastructure. Furthermore, it maximizes efficiency by tapping into an existing nonprofit base and is projected to save New York’s Medicaid program at least $80 million annually.
“We commend the inclusion of guardianship reform in the final Master Plan for Aging and recognize it as a vital step toward protecting some of New York’s most vulnerable older adults,” said Beth Finkel, AARP New York State Director. “We look forward to working with the Governor, the Legislature, and other advocates to ensure implementation of MPA proposals that address critical needs —and ensure that every New Yorker aging alone or in need has access to the support and safeguards they deserve.”
“With the publication of the MPA, older New Yorkers are now promised a bold new path forward grounded in the American values of dignity and independence,” said Allison Nickerson, Executive Director of LiveOn NY. “As we move from planning to action, that promise must not be derailed by federal disinvestment.”
“We’re encouraged to see the State taking steps to address the guardianship gap,” said Kimberly George, President & CEO of Project Guardianship, a New York City-based provider and founding member of Guardianship Access New York. “But recognition isn’t enough—we urge the Executive and Legislature to follow through with a sustained investment in the nonprofit guardians already doing this critical work and doing it well.”
“The inclusion of a statewide guardianship program in the Master Plan for Aging is a monumental step forward for vulnerable New Yorkers,” said Karen Nicolson, CEO of the Center for Elder Law & Justice. “For too long, our courts and communities have struggled to find qualified guardians for older adults and individuals with disabilities. A coordinated, nonprofit-led initiative like SING will not only fill this gap but ensure compassionate, accountable care rooted in local expertise.”
“I am so pleased that the NYS Master Plan on Aging included the recommendation for a statewide guardianship program,” said Ann Marie Cook, President/CEO of Lifespan of Greater Rochester Inc. “Hundreds of professionals, older adults, and family caregivers had input in this process. The fact that a statewide guardianship program is one of the final recommendations speaks to the importance of having professional and trained guardians across NYS.”
“By embedding a nonprofit-led guardianship program into the Master Plan for Aging, New York State will harness local expertise to deliver consistent, dignified support for older adults and people with disabilities,” said Tania Peterson Chandler, Chief Operating Officer of EAC Network. “We are ready to partner with the State and fellow community providers to turn this landmark recommendation into practical, compassionate care for every region of New York.”
“I am encouraged that the MPA recognizes what the guardianship judges and elder law bar have long known: New York’s guardianship system is past the point of crisis, and the Governor and Legislature must act now before it collapses,” said Hon. Arthur M. Diamond, Supervising Judge of Guardianship Matters in Nassau County (retired). “We must stop ignoring the most vulnerable of the elder population and protect them now.”
As New York’s older adult population grows, along with rates of dementia and aging without family support, the need for accessible, accountable guardianship services will only become more urgent. GANY looks forward to working with the Executive Chamber, Legislature, and MPA implementation team to ensure that the vision outlined in the final report becomes reality for New Yorkers in every region.
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GANY is a statewide coalition of nonprofit guardianship providers and elder and disability justice advocates committed to improving access to guardianship services and alternatives statewide. Our members include the Association on Aging in New York, Center for Elder Law and Justice, EAC Network, Lifespan of Greater Rochester, New York Public Welfare Association, Project Guardianship, and Hon. Arthur M. Diamond, JSC (retired). Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/AboutGANY.