How Is Public Guardianship Different?
While there are approximately 16,000 Virginians with a guardian, only about 7% have a public guardian. A public guardian is a human services organization required to meet specific regulatory and contractual requirements. DARS provides oversight, training, and support to these programs.
How Can I Become a Public Guardian?
Individuals may not serve as public guardians in Virginia. Public guardianship services are provided only by organizations under contract with DARS.
The 1,349 public guardian client slots currently funded by the General Assembly have been allocated under existing contracts. If you would like to be notified when DARS issues a request for proposals for a new local public guardian program, please email publicguardian@dars.virginia.gov.
How Can I Become the Guardian of my Family Member or Friend?
If you are interested in requesting the court to appoint you as guardian for an incapacitated person, the Virginia Judicial website has a variety of resources, answers to frequently asked questions, and a video on the appointment process.
Because appointment of a guardian is a drastic step that usually involves the loss of many rights, less restrictive alternatives must be ruled out.