Guardianship Program

Our Program
The Arc of Northern Virginia is a state-designated Guardian of Last Resort (GOLR) Project for Northern Virginia. The program currently serves approximately ten Northern Virginian's who require a surrogate decision-maker, but have no other appropriate individuals in their lives or resources to serve in this capacity. We serve individuals under our contract with the Virginia Department for the Aging as well as serve private contracts.

Our History
The Arc of Northern Virginia has operated the Guardian of Last Resort Program since 1995. It was one of two initial demostration projects throughout the state funded by the Virginia Department for the Aging. We have served as substitute decision-maker for over thirty individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and age-related impairments.

Our Goals
Although Guardianship takes away all legal rights of an individual, it is important to preserve an individual's right to autonomy and self-determination to the maximum extent possible. Just like you and I, we all make bad decisions sometimes and it is our right to do so. Therefore, we encourage individuals to make their own decisions whether good or badl and as long as they are not harmful decisions, we try our best to respect their wishes. In addition to ensuring individuals make decisions for themselves, we are always working with them to eventually be at a place where they may no longer need a guardian.

Our Role
The Arc of Northern Virginia assumes a variety of decision-making roles depending on individual's needs, including: guardian of the person, conservator, representative payee, medical power of attorney, durable power of attorney, and authorized representativefor people in state facilities. Regardless of our role, clients are encouraged to participate in their own decision-making to the greatest extent possible.

Services Provided
The Arc of Northern Virginia staff visit individuals in their homes, offices or in the community at least once monthly to monitor their quality of life and the services they receive.

As Guardian, The Arc of Northern Virginia makes major life decisions with the client including medical treatment, residential and housing opportunities, benefit applications, end of life plans, or petitions for involuntary hospitalization. We work collaboratively with the individual's team of supports to ensure that the necessary and appropriate services are being provided.

As Conservator, The Arc of Northern Virginia's role includes managing an individual's income, budget and bill paying, balancing their checkbook, maintaining accurate financial records and reporting to appropriate authorities such as Social Security and County Commissioner of Accounts.

How do I get Started?
Contact The Arc of Northern Virginia to complete a referral packet. The referral packet will be reviewed by the Screening Panel.

The screening panel inclides the Client Advocate, the Director of Services, the Executive Director and the members from The Arc of Northern Virginia's Board and Services and Advocacy Committee. Their role is to determine whether guardianship is appropriate, or wheter a less restrictive alternative should be sought. These alternatives may include Representative Payee, Conservatorship only, Durable Power of Attorney, or Limited Guardianship. The screening team will determine whether the individual will be effectively served by The Arc of Northern Virginia and whether they qualify under the program contract.

If a person is accepted by the panel, the referring party will make arrangements with a lawyer to petition the courts and psychiatrist psychologist for an evaluation. The Arc of Northern Virginia will be present at court proceedings.

Upon assuming the role of guardian and/or Conservator, The Arc of Northern Virginia conducts an intake process which involves gathering information from the referring agency, other service providers, and any family or friends within reach. Additionally, we create a personal support plan based on the client's individual needs that identifies client objectives and outcomes, the areas in which the cleint has skills to function without the assistance of the guardian, and the types of assistance or support The Arc of Northern Virginia will provide as guardian and/or conservator.

For further information about Guardianship or our Program, pelase call Carrie Frey, Director of Services at (703) 532-3214, ext. 102 or cfrey@thearcofnova.org.

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