The Office of Public Guardian, Inc., (OPG) serves adults with mental and/or physical disabilities as their court-appointed legal guardian when they are incapable of managing some or all of their affairs.
The Office of Public Guardian, Inc., was established to act as a substitute decision-maker for those persons in the Big Bend Area who are functionally impaired to the extent that they require the protection of court intervention. The OPG provides quality public assistance in the form of guardianship services to vulnerable adults adjudicated incapacitated who have no family, friends, or resources to obtain a private guardian. Through the provision of public guardianship services and under the direction of the court, the OPG strives to: enhance quality of life, employ “substituted judgment,” acting as the person would have when making decisions in their best interests, protect against abuse, neglect and exploitation, and
safeguard and exercise the fundamental civil rights of the people we serve
Guardianship is a serious step! Just because the person has a disability does not mean he or she needs a guardian. Guardianship is inappropriate if there are other alternatives such as a durable power of attorney, medical proxy, public benefits’ representative, etc.

Special Information Placement:

MSW 1st year and advanced standing, MSW 2nd year and advanced standing, (clinical) part-time MSW.  The student will need transportation to attend care plan and support place meetings, visit clients, meet with staff of Social Security Administration and Department of Children and Families ACCESS office, and to attend offsite meetings.  Travel is reimbursed.  The stipend is not available.  Weekend hours can be arranged.  Video and audio taping requires the permission of the Agency director.