DOES THE REFERRAL OF A CLIENT TO THE OFFICE OF STATE GUARDIAN MEAN THAT THE CLIENT NOW BECOMES THE OFFICE OF STATE GUARDIANS RESPONSIBILITY?
No, the first task of the Office of State Guardian is to determine if guardianship is necessary at all and whether this need can be proven in court. OSG is responsible for the welfare of a person with disabilities only when actually appointed legal guardian by the court. Until court appointment of OSG, the client may require services which cannot be supplied by this Office; referring persons and agencies remain ethically responsible for the well-being of the person with disabilities.
