Adult Public Guardianship

This program is limited to matters essential to safeguard the welfare of a disabled person. It is limited to those decisions where a substitute decision- maker is necessary.

There are two types of adult guardianship:

• A guardian of the person is authorized by the court to make decisions for the disabled person about their health care, shelter, or other daily needs.
• A guardian of the property is a person or agency appointed by the court to manage the property of a disabled person. A public agency may not be the guardian of the property.

WHO DOES IT?

Public Guardianship of the person may be granted to an agency considered appropriate by the court, as a last resort.

ADULT PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP REVIEW BOARDS

Adult Public Guardianship Review Boards (available in each county) are interdisciplinary teams that act as consultants to the public guardians.

WHAT DO THEY DO?

Adult Public Guardianship Review Boards review public guardianship cases every six months. They make recommendations to the court to either continue, modify, or terminate guardianship of the person.

There is no mechanism for state agency oversight of private guardianship cases.

WHO ASSISTS BOARDS?

Local departments of social services provide office space and personnel, as needed to assist the boards in performing their duties.

The Council of Adult Public Guardianship Review Boards, supported by the Department of Human Resources’ Office of Adult Services, is a grass-roots organization of local boards. They are organized to share information and provide mutual support and to act as a conduit to the Department of Human Resources.

ADULT PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP REVIEW BOARD CONSISTS OF:

• A professional representative of the local department of social services;
• Two physicians (one of whom should be a psychiatrist from the local health department);
• A representative from the area agency on aging or the State Department on Aging;
• A professional representative of a local non-profit social service organization;
• An attorney;
• Two citizen representatives from the local community; and
• A public health nurse.

To VOLUNTEER Or for further information, contact your local department of social services.

Please click here to view and download the brochure!