Volunteer Guardian - be an advocate!

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A Volunteer Guardian serves as the legally appointed guardian of the person for someone with a developmental disability. The Volunteer Guardian acts in the best interest of the person as an advocate and substitute decision-maker in the care and management of medical and personal affairs. Activities related to management of the guardianship include: six visits per year and phone contact with their ward during the months they don’t visit; contact/intervention with service providers and family members, as appropriate, and decision-making including appropriate living arrangements, medical care, and pre-need funeral arrangements.

Watch this video to learn about our volunteer guardian opportunity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQE97aE_1pE

• Visit person at least six times per year. Conduct other activities for the ward as needed.
• Have telephone or Zoom contact to discuss person's well-being on those months you don’t make a visit.
• Prepare and maintain annual report concerning activities with or on behalf of ward as required by Probate Court. We will help you with this.
• Enter time online spent carrying out the responsibilities of the volunteer guardian position (average volunteer spends 1-2 hours per month).
• Individuals 21 years of age and older must complete volunteer application, including references, interview with staff, and fingerprint/background check and be formally accepted into the Cuyahoga DD volunteer program.
• Complete initial six-hour training program as required by the Supreme Court of Ohio.