About Us
The Need
Guardians are appointed by the Court to make decisions on behalf of people who are unable to make those decisions for themselves. Most Guardians are caring and responsible individuals. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Many, even those with good intentions, fall short due to lack of knowledge, lack of resources or burnout.
The Oregon Department of Human Services documents more than 2,900 yearly confirmed cases of abuse against elders and adults with disabilities each year; in 76% of cases, the abuse occurred in the Protected Person’s home. The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that for every one case of elder abuse, about five more go unreported. Oregon Court systems do not have the resources to ensure the daily safety of those under their care. Guardian Partners was started with the goal of providing the Court with trained volunteers who could ensure that protected persons are being treated with the utmost dignity and respect. Our services have grown to include providing much needed training and resources to non-professional guardians.
Bringing Our Programs to Your County
Guardian Partners currently operates in fourteen Oregon counties: Clackamas, Clatsop, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Lane, Marion, Multnomah, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Wheeler, and Yamhill. Our goal is to bring our important education and case monitoring programs to every Oregon county. We offer two tiers of program options for counties who wish to partner with us and there is no cost to the Court for our programs.
We have tools to make the process smooth and can provide sample language for many of the necessary court documents:
- Presiding Judge's Order and Supplementary Local Rules
- Letters mandating fiduciary courses
- Letters appointing a volunteer case monitor
We're pleased to speak with Judges or court staff to see how Guardian Partners can best serve your community and we'll give you access to review our online courses. Contact Executive Director Marc Kochanski to inquire: 971-409-1358 or marc@guardian-partners.org.
“The reports we have gotten on our problem cases or those where we have questions have been fantastic and full of helpful information.”
–Judge Mari Trevino, Tillamook County Circuit Court
Funding
Guardian Partners is a financially-stable organization. During the Covid-19 pandemic, not only were we able to maintain staffing, but we hired two new positions. Our funding is derived from several sources, including: earned income; events and individual donors; private grants; and limited public funding.
This is an innovative and much-needed program that has demonstrated the potential to significantly reduce abuses faced by our most vulnerable citizens. We rely on community support and individual donors to keep our programs strong and growing.
Sponsors & Donors
We are grateful for support from sponsors and grant funders:
Allen Trust Company | Beneficial State Bank | Columbia Trust Company | Court Bonds/Jenny Tuomi | Financial Insights LLC | Fitzwater Law | Geffen Mesher | Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation | Kaiser Permanente NW | Koch Law, LLC | Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation | Multnomah County Public Guardian & Conservator | OnPoint Community Credit Union | Oregon Elder Law | Pacific Office Automation | Pickett Dummigan McCall LLP | Richardson Wang | RLI Surety | Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation | The Standard | Tennyson Resolutions | Wyse Kadish
We are grateful for support from all our donors. Our Founders Circle donors carry on the spirit of those who built Guardian Partners with high-impact gifts of $1,000 or more:
Gary Beagle | Juliet Britton | Nathan Corser | Andrew Davidson | Katie Garman | Michael & Pamela Greenlaw | Jim Hollis | Theressa Hollis | Bob & Sylvia Sutherland | Katherine Tennyson | Amy & Michael Welsh