About COGAP
The Central Oregon Guardian Assistance Program (COGAP) is on a mission to provide pro bono guardianship services to central Oregonians with limited means who are incapacitated and as a result, unable to make medical, housing, and financial decisions for themselves. We help people who are unable to make decisions regarding medical treatment, housing and nutrition due to a lack of capacity by providing pro bono guardianship services to those in need. Often these individuals may be unhoused, dealing with learning or cognitive disabilities, mental health conditions, dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, or substance abuse disorders.
Our History
In 2019, a multidisciplinary group of Central Oregon community members created an informal local guardianship council to discuss the increasing number of emergent court-appointed guardianship cases within Central Oregon. This precipitous increase exacerbated the pre-existing shortage of qualified professional guardians to assist in such cases. The council acknowledged legal guardianship services are incredibly difficult to obtain, and many individuals in need of a guardian do not have a willing and qualified family member to serve as guardian. These issues have led to a huge void in this type of available service both nationally and locally. In response to this increasing crisis, the council organized a community summit, inviting a diverse group of community leaders and interested parties to broaden the discussion and collaborate regarding this critical local issue. One such proposed collaboration was the creation of a non-profit guardianship program to serve Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties.
A community coming together
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic stalled COGAP’s creation. While the pandemic delayed COGAP’s start, it also served to highlight the incredible need for the guardianship services. With increasing numbers of hospitalizations of unhoused incapacitated individuals in our community needing support, individuals with mental health needs, higher incidences of crime, fewer available psychiatric beds, increased burden on law enforcement and emergency response services, and increasing numbers of incapacitated individuals within our community, professional fiduciary services have never been more necessary. Many of these individuals would benefit from the services of a guardian, however, these are also individuals who often lack the financial resources necessary for the appointment of a professional guardian, or, in the alternative, family or peer connections necessary to identify a willing non-professional guardian within this family/peer group. COGAP was created in partnership with local organizations to help serve this vulnerable population.
Why COGAP?
When a person lacks the capacity to make their own decisions and doesn’t have a family member or trusted friend to serve in that important role as a surrogate decision-maker, they can often end up in situations where they are unable to care for themselves and are unable to maintain their previous quality of life. This is where COGAP steps in. We provide assistance to people who may need the services of a guardian or conservator on behalf of a loved one, but do not know how to get their friend or family member the help they need. Our professional fiduciaries are able to be appointed as a guardian and/or conservator for those in Central Oregon who need it most.
How We Serve Central Oregon
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COGAP serves incapacitated individuals and their families who reside in Central Oregon (Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties) by providing guardian and conservator services for Central Oregonians with limited means who are in need of these services.
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COGAP is working to partner with local educators in offering a Professional Guardianship Certification Degree. Students enrolled in the program would be able to receive valuable training and mentoring by working as a paid intern at COGAP. Such students would also have employment opportunities post-graduation with the goal of ultimately expanding the number of professional guardians and conservators available within the Central Oregon community. COGAP will also endeavor to create a scholarship fund to help support the cost of students enrolled in the certificate program.
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COGAP partners with local organizations to provide resources, training and education to Central Oregon residents to help them plan for incapacity and end of life decision-making. COGAP works to provide education, counseling and form documents such as advance directives, simple wills, and other similar documents which help these community members ensure that their wishes are known and carried out once they are no longer able to make those decisions themselves.
Make an Impact in Our Community
Interested in making a contribution to our cause? We would appreciate your support.
Community Recognition
The Central Oregon Guardian Assistance Program has been proudly recognized by: