Katie Morgan, a nationally certified guardian (NCG), is the founder and executive director of Vulnerable Adult Care Advocates, Inc. (V.A.C.A.), a nonprofit organization she established in Clarksville, Indiana, in 2020. Having a background also as a senior software engineer, web developer, and other roles, Ms. Morgan has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service and advocacy. Her journey into the field of guardianship began serendipitously. Her husband, working for an elder law attorney, mentioned a situation in which a woman was in need of a guardian. Ms. Morgan, having advocated for children with special needs, was approached to take on the role. Initially uncertain, she quickly realized the importance of guardianship and agreed to help.
Within six months, Ms. Morgan had four clients, recognizing a significant need for these services. Understanding the financial constraints many vulnerable adults face, Ms. Morgan founded V.A.C.A. with the mission to provide guardianship services on a sliding payment scale. Medicaid patients, for example, are charged as little as $35 a month. This model ensures that those in need receive essential support without prohibitive costs. Ms. Morgan’s organization utilizes volunteer advocates to visit individuals weekly. The volunteers monitor clients for signs of health issues, such as changes in weight or bruising, and provide reports that help in making informed medical decisions. This approach has allowed the organization to expand to five counties, with plans for further growth.
Ms. Morgan’s career has included roles such as senior software engineer at ADFX LLC, web developer at Jazzro Marketing, and designer apprentice at Crosby Interactive. She has also served as a senior benefits advisor with the Fastline Marketing Group and has extensive experience in customer service and education. In preparation for her professional pursuits, she earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from American Military University and an associate degree from Jefferson Community College in Kentucky. Further, Ms. Morgan holds several certifications, including being a licensed notary public and a certified professional guardian. She has also completed training in back-end development in PHP from Code Louisville, where she briefly volunteered to pass on her knowledge as a mentor. Ms. Morgan’s accomplishments have been recognized with a nomination for the Samaritan Award. To stay active in and contribute to her field, she is a member of the Indiana Department of Health’s Ninth District Health Equity Committee and serves as a conference committee member with the National Guardianship Association.
Demonstrating an ongoing commitment to community service, Ms. Morgan was a parliamentarian for the Tinker Enlisted Spouses’ Network from 2009 to 2012 and was a troop leader for the Girl Scouts of the USA from 2007 to 2009. With the Boy Scouts of America, she was a treasurer for the Cub Scouts from 2011 to 2012. Ms. Morgan’s devotion extends beyond her nonprofit work. She is running for county commissioner, aiming to drive sustainable business growth and ensure community well-being. Balancing her numerous responsibilities, she is focused on reducing the waitlist for guardianship services by recruiting reliable NCGs like herself and enhancing volunteer recruitment initiatives.
Ms. Morgan attributes her accomplishments to her tenacity and willingness to learn from failure. She believes in finding workarounds and continuously improving her approach, embodying the power of perseverance as a foundational building block to success. Her advice to others is simple yet profound: “Keep trying.” Ms. Morgan’s journey from working as a software engineer to becoming a community advocate and leader is a testament to her triumph as well as her adaptability, resilience, and passion for helping others. In her free time, Ms. Morgan enjoys time with her family and three dogs and playing the piano. She looks forward to continuing to have a positive impact on her community for years to come.
