Protective

Guardianship

The Guardianship Program provides protection services when the court determines an individual to be unable to care for self, property, or both, thus becoming a ward. Guardianship and Durable Power of Attorney are the program’s two legal disciplines. We provide several types of guardianship, but more the more common types are plenary Guardian of Person, Plenary Guardian of the Estate, or Plenary Guardian of Person and Estate. When appointed Guardian of the Person we are responsible for decisions of a personal nature including health care, living arrangements, social interactions, and end of life issues, etc. As Guardian of the Estate, our realm of revolves around property, whether it be real or personal. When appointed Guardian of the Person and Estate we perform a dual role.

Guardianship’s are appointed and are reviewable by the courts. Durable Power of Attorney is considered an advanced directive or legal document giving authority to act on one’s behalf when and if they become unable to care for self, property or both. Generally, Power of Attorney is not reviewable by the court systems. Substitute judgement, a key element of the program, involves consultations with the ward or client, medical staff, care givers, family, friends, legal, financial and religious communities.

Representative Payee

Clients are referred to the Representative Payee Program after they have demonstrated and been medically determined unable to successfully manage their government entitlements ; therefore, forcing the Social Security Administration to withhold their Social Security Disability or Special Supplemental Income (SSDL/SSI) until a representative payee can be found. The program protects clients resources, provides basic life skills coaching, pays bills and fines both current and past due, finds safe affordable housing, and ensures resources go toward the maintenance of the individual or family unit. The long term objective of the program is to enable its’ clientele to obtain and maintain non-institutional housing and to be as self-sufficient as possible given their mental limitations.

Permanent Supportive Housing

The Permanent Supportive Housing Program opened in June 2006 with it’s first four residents. In August of 2007 we added another four residents. Criteria for the program includes: the resident must meet the homelessness definition as established by United Way of Lancaster County’s State Housing and Homelessness Impact Report. A resident must also have a disability. Residents will have a private bedroom/sitting area, and shared common area such as kitchen, showers/bathrooms, laundry, and community room. Residents may live here indefinitely. They will go through a regimented daily routine focusing on basic life and interpersonal skills necessary for independent living. Residents will attend educational classes with practical application sessions ranging from cooking a meal to cleaning a toilet. Meals are provided and monthly activities are arranged for social interaction.

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Neighborhood Services Congratulates

Megann Weighand on Winning the Las Vegas Trip

Thank you all who participated in the raffle your donations are much appreciated and needed