To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Paul Dunaway 565-3673, Jennifer Hainstock 565-5911
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Adopt a Gold Resolution honoring November 2023 as Conservatorship Appreciation Month in Sonoma County. (Countywide)
End
Executive Summary:
In 1999 Guardianship Appreciation Month was first recognized by the state of Florida. Guardianships are known in California as Conservatorships. Conservators’ duties include managing a vulnerable adult’s financial, personal, mental health and/or medical affairs. In recognition of the crucial connection between a Conservator’s provision of comprehensive services and the protected person’s wellbeing, counties in California have annually recognized the hard work of family, professional, and public Conservators.
Discussion:
In California, conservatorships are established by order of the local Superior Court. While the situations of the older and dependent adults who are in need of conservatorship vary, all are highly vulnerable to physical, emotional and/or financial abuse and neglect. Conservators may be family members, private professionals, or public employees. Conservators play a key role in ensuring that all vulnerable adults in Sonoma County have the opportunity to receive the services, benefits, and protections to which they are entitled. Sonoma County has traditionally also recognized the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Conservatorships during this month. These individuals are unable to provide for their food, clothing and shelter due to a mental illness. The Public Conservator works collaboratively with Behavioral Health and the Public Defender’s Office. The combined Public Guardian and Conservator caseloads in Sonoma County total about 240 at any given time.
This year the Public Guardian and Public Conservator would like to honor those conservatees who died of COVID-19, and the caregivers and hospital workers who selflessly cared for and treated them during the worst times of the pandemic. As we know, older adults have been disproportionally impacted by this pandemic. According to the California Department of Public Health, people 65 and older account for nearly 75% of the deaths in California due to COVID-19.
Prior Board Actions:
Sonoma County recognized the month of November as Conservatorship Appreciation Month:
November 2019
November 2017
November 2016
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None