What is the Guardianship Program?
Through the Hamilton County VASIA Guardianship Program, SCHC will serve as the court-appointed legal guardian of incapacitated adults in Hamilton County and provide assistance to those adults through trained Volunteer Advocates. The Guardianship Program promotes the dignity of a person who no longer has the capacity to make major life decisions by helping them find the least-restrictive assistance that also prioritizes their best interest, safety, and self-determination. It also provides training and support to Volunteer Advocates.
Who Might Need a Guardian?
Adults with limited decisional capacity in one or more areas of their life as determined by the court could benefit from the Guardianship Program as a means of helping them make decisions based on their own best interests and preferences. Guardianship is a dramatic intervention; it is a legal appointment by the court after careful consideration and evaluation to determine that less restrictive options for assistance would not be enough.
If you need assistance, please contact Programs Director Lisa Albano, 463-215-2419, lisa@scofhc.org.
“The Guardianship Program permits us to care for those who once cared for us. In light of the projected increase in the elderly population in Hamilton County in the next 5 years, the need for this type of program is greater than ever. By serving the elderly in our community with this program we not only invest in the culture of our county, but also take the opportunity to thank our seniors who have given so much of their lives to ensure that individuals in the next generation will have better lives and futures.”
-Steve Nation
Volunteer Advocates
The Hamilton County VASIA Guardianship Program could not serve our clients’ needs without Volunteer Advocates. These advocates serve by building positive relationships with persons under guardianship, helping identify needs to connect guardianship clients to services, and monitoring ongoing care plans to ensure the highest quality of life for those under guardianship. Volunteers advocate on behalf of the senior/incapacitated adult under care and represent the Hamilton County VASIA Guardianship Program and the Shepherd’s Center of Hamilton County. All Volunteer Advocates undergo initial training, are provided with ongoing support and continuing education, and are screened through an application and background check process.
Volunteer Advocates speak with their client once a week and visit at least once a month. If you are interested in serving as a Volunteer Advocate or know someone you would like to recommend, please contact Programs Director Lisa Albano, 463-215-2419, lisa@scofhc.org.