Guardianship Program

Our goal is to promote and protect the rights of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. By appointment of the 4th Judicial District Probate Court, Guardianship Specialists are responsible for oversight of all services received by individuals in our program. When the Probate Court appoints The Arc as legal guardian, staff are named as agents to provide the guardianship services.

I/DD is the term given to describe a wide range of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Keep reading below to learn more.

As legal guardians, The Arc-PPR’s guardian agents act on behalf of individuals who have been declared “incapacitated.” Guardianship services include, but are not limited to:

  • Evaluation of client needs and services;
  • Attendance at all Individual Plan and special staffings;
  • Approval of the Individual Plan;
  • At least one monthly visit;
  • Emergency services;
  • Consent for medical treatment;
  • Annual report to Probate Court.

The law presumes a person to be competent at age 18. Whether or not an adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities needs a guardian poses a serious question.

For people who are not capable of making serious decisions about their own well-being, the Guardianship Program offers both protection and enhancement of individual rights.

The Arc does not duplicate services other agencies are required to perform, but works cooperatively with local service providers.

Intellectual disabilities occur before age 18. Individuals with intellectual disabilities experience limitations in two main areas:

  • Intellectual functioning
  • Adaptive behavior

These limitations effect the person’s everyday activities and social and conceptual skills. Many people with intellectual disabilities are mildly affected; this makes the disability hard to notice with visual cues alone. Intellectual disability is diagnosed through standardized tests of intelligence and adaptive behavior.

Guardianship at The Arc Pikes Peak Region

Many children receive a diagnosis or learning disability, developmental delay, behavior disorder, or autism instead of the intellectual disability. This makes it challenging to determine how many individuals have intellectual disabilities.

With support from family, friends and agencies including The Arc, over time many adults with intellectual disabilities can live independent, dynamic lives in their community.

  • The Arc PPR’s Guardianship Program was started in 1991.

  • Guardianship Specialists provide support 24 hours a day.

  • Guardianship services provide informed service and supports, medical and financial.

  • The Arc PPR’s Guardianship program believes people with IDD should be afforded the same rights and responsibilities as people without IDD.

  • The program provides guardianship support to 75 adults with IDD.

  • Guardianship Specialists promote supportive decision making by involving participants in all decision making.

  • Participants meet the definition for IDD (C.R.S 27-10.5-102 11 (a)) and receive services through the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) DD Medicaid Waiver.

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