BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State University Extension will host an informational webinar for individuals and professionals to learn about a program that helps people prepare for future caregiving and end-of-life decisions, and to explore opportunities to bring the program to their own communities.
“Organize This! Explore, Adapt and Implement for Local Impact” is on Sept. 1, 2026, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. CDT via Zoom. It is free, but registration is required to receive the Zoom link. To register, visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “organize”.
The Organize This program, developed by SDSU Extension in collaboration with land grant universities in Nebraska and North Dakota, is a 10 month educational experience designed to educate citizens on essential legal concepts and improve organization for future decision-making. It supports individuals as they prepare important information for fiduciaries (a person legally chosen to make medical, financial and personal decisions when an adult cannot) such as financial attorney-in-fact and health care agent, while also addressing the realities of declining health and end of life planning.
“Organize This helps individuals take practical steps to prepare for the future while easing the burden on loved ones,” organizers note. “By training local facilitators, we can expand access to this important program and strengthen community readiness.”
The upcoming webinar will provide:
- An overview of the program’s purpose, structure and key components.
- Insight into how the program supports preparation for caregiving and end of life decisions.
- Highlights of lessons learned from the 2025 pilot and resulting program enhancements.
- Information about facilitator training and resources for local implementation.
In addition to sharing program details, the webinar aims to recruit and equip new facilitators who are interested in delivering Organize This in their own communities beginning in 2027. Facilitators may include Extension professionals, community educators and others working with older adults, family caregivers, and adults with children or other dependents.
SDSU Extension wants to train others to facilitate this program in their communities. Ideal facilitators work for organizations that serve caregivers, older adults, adults with children or adults with dependents who can incorporate Organize This into their existing activities.
Facilitator training will be offered on Oct. 26–27, 2026, at 5 p.m. CDT, or on Oct. 28–29, 2026, at 11 a.m. CDT. The training costs $200 and requires six hours of virtual instruction, with additional time to prepare program materials and lead four educational sessions in 2027. For more information or to express interest, visit the SDSU Extension Events page and search “organize”.
Each facilitator will receive an Organize This participant binder, a facilitator’s guide and other materials to support their efforts. SDSU Extension staff will provide training and support throughout 2027, including guidance on assembling program materials. Each trainee will receive their materials approximately one week prior to training.
“Life often brings difficult moments before families feel ready or have a plan in place,” said Leacey Brown, SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist. “Fiduciaries become crucial during accidents, serious illness, aging or death of a loved one. Yet many people delay naming one through documents like a power of attorney or health care directive, leaving families scrambling at the worst possible time.”
Organize This is meant to help families prepare for those times so they aren’t caught unawares. This program was piloted virtually in 2025 with 36 participants from six states: Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska and South Dakota. During a follow-up interview, one participant said of the Organize This! Toolkit, “There were things on there I never would have thought of—like how to access your email.”
After the success of the pilot, the program was available again in 2026, with over 50 individuals registered and 25 on the waiting list. Participants are reporting a positive experience in 2026, with one couple indicating this program is the best of its kind. Attendees have time to reflect, set goals and make progress.
The Organize This! Toolkit is available by mail or as a free download.
For more information, contact Leacey Brown, SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist.
Upcoming Events
Organize This! Facilitator Training
SDSU Extension will offer two opportunities for Organize This! facilitator training. Participants have the option to attend the training on October 26 and 27 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. CDT or October 28 and 29 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. CDT.
Organize This! Explore, Adapt, and Implement for Local Impact
SDSU Extension will host an informational webinar to provide an overview of the Organize this! program, including its educational content, timeline, and lessons learned on September 1 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. CDT.
