To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Angela Struckmann 707-565-5800, Paul Dunaway 707-565-3676, Jasdeep Singh 707-565-5733
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Adopt a Gold Resolution honoring October 2026 as Conservatorship Appreciation Month in Sonoma County
End
Executive Summary:
This Gold Resolution recognizes the essential role that conservators play in protecting adults who do not have the capacity to independently manage or provide for their own basic needs. Conservatorship services ensure safety, dignity, and stability for some of the county’s most vulnerable residents. A conservator can be a family member, someone in a professional capacity, or the Public Conservator. Recognizing October 2026 as Conservatorship Appreciation Month acknowledges the vital contributions of those serving as conservators, whose service supports very vulnerable members of our community.
Discussion:
In California, a conservatorship is a legal court proceeding where a judge appoints a responsible person or organization (the conservator) to make decisions on behalf of another adult (the conservatee) who is physically or mentally unable to manage their own basic needs, including personal care, finances, or both.
There are two main categories of conservatorships in California - probate conservatorships and Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) conservatorships. Probate conservatorships are the most common and include the subcategories of general conservatorships and limited conservatorships. This type of conservatorship supports individuals impaired by intellectual and developmental disabilities, dementia and other neurocognitive disorders, and physical or cognitive impairments from illness or traumatic injury. LPS conservatorships support individuals with severe mental health disorders who meet the standard of grave disability.
There are two primary roles for conservators:
• Conservator of the person - ensures housing, food, safety, and medical or psychiatric care.
• Conservator of the estate - manages finances, income, bills, and asset protection.
The Sonoma County Public Conservator’s Office serves as a court-appointed county official who makes personal and financial decisions for adults who cannot care for themselves and have no other appropriate party able or willing to help. The public conservator is appointed only as a last resort. Before appointment, the public conservator investigates any other viable alternatives.
Conservator work is deeply collaborative and the public conservator partners continuously with organizations including court investigators, Adult Protective Services, Public Defender’s Office, hospitals, County Behavioral Health, treatment facilities, and financial institutions to ensure each protected person’s needs are met. The public conservator provides conservatorship services to approximately 240 Sonoma County residents each year.
Behind every conservatorship is a person with a story, a lifetime of memories, and a need to be cared for and protected. Beside them stands a conservator who is committed to making sure they are not forgotten, not overlooked, and not left to struggle alone. The conservatorship system empowers individuals with dignity, protection, and care.
Public Conservatorship Month provides an opportunity to recognize and honor the individuals served through conservatorship, and the families, caregivers, and professionals who step up to support vulnerable individuals through the conservatorship process.
Prior Board Actions:
Recognized Conservatorship Appreciation Month:
November 2023
November 2019
November 2017
November 2016
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Not applicable.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
Not applicable.
Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None