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Rethinking Guardianship

Our School partners with several state offices, including NC Division of Aging and Adult Services, NC Division of Social Services, and NC Council on Developmental Disabilities, to lead the Rethinking Guardianship initiative. Our involvement is based within our Jordan Institute for Families.

The Rethinking Guardianship initiative examines alternatives to public guardianship for adults, both elderly and non-elderly, that supports the rights of the individuals in guardianship. More than 5,000 adults are served by public guardians in North Carolina. A majority of these adults are younger adults (ages 18–59), and more than 80 percent of these have a primary diagnosis of intellectual and other developmental disabilities or mental illness.

Rethinking Guardianship draws upon the expertise of more than 120 human services professionals in North Carolina, including representatives from NC General Assembly, nonprofit organizations, public and private universities, law firms, county agencies, and healthcare providers.

Visit the Rethinking Guardianship website for more information.

Contact

Linda Kendall Fields, 828-712-4003