Nearly 348 residents in Washoe County are served in a guardianship arrangement with the Washoe County Public Guardian.
Guardians are appointed by court order to help adults who cannot make sound decisions on their own. The guardianship can vary to cover specific areas of life such as finances or health and may end by court order when the need is no longer there.
Public Guardian Tracey Bowles
“It’s important to know that guardianship is only one option for adults when decision-making support is needed and that lesser restrictive alternatives should be attempted prior to initiating a guardianship,” Washoe County Public Guardian Tracey Bowles said. “These alternatives optimize the autonomy and dignity of the individual and are often sufficient to support the person. When alternatives are no longer sufficient, a guardianship may be appropriate.”
Bowles’ office is currently served by 18 employees and averages 39 cases per case manager.
Washoe County highlighted the work of the Public Guardian’s Office in a new “Washoe Life Podcast” episode released today. Bowles and Public Guardian Case Manager Jordan Gunderson share what the Public Guardian does, what it does not do, and how its staff work with residents to get them to a place where they can resume making decisions on their own and living independent lives.
Learn more about the Public Guardian’s Office at www.washoecounty.gov/guardian. If someone you know is demonstrating difficulty in making decisions in essential areas of their life, guardianship may be an option. Reach out to the Washoe County Public Guardian’s Office with questions.
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