Central Oregon Guardian Assistance Program

WELCOME TO THE

Central Oregon Guardian Assistance Program

We are Advocates for Vulnerable Central Oregonians

Our goal is to support the health and independence of vulnerable incapacitated adults residing in Central Oregon, by helping them obtain the care they require, so they can live their lives to the fullest. We help people who lack the capacity to make decisions regarding medical treatment, housing and nutrition by providing guardianship services to those in need. 

How We Serve Central Oregonians

Professional Guardianship and Conservatorship

COGAP provides pro-bono professional guardianship and conservatorship services to incapacitated individuals in Central Oregon.

Community Outreach and Partnerships

COGAP partners with local organizations to provide resources, training and education to Central Oregon residents to help them plan for incapacity and end of life decision-making.

Education and Training to Develop a Local Network

COGAP is working to partner with local organizations to provide training and education opportunities to help train more professional guardians and conservators in Central Oregon.

Who We Serve

Who we serve through the Central Oregon Guardian Assistance Program

COGAP works with family members, social workers, medical providers, court representatives, case workers, and any other individuals who reach out when when an individual, due to lack of capacity, is unable to make decisions regarding his or her health care, safety and/or housing. COGAP works with these individuals with the intent of providing court appointed pro bono guardianship services for the individual.

Community Impact Testimonials

  • "COGAP provides critical support and guardianship services to the Central Oregon community. At St. Charles, we regularly have patients in our hospitals who no longer need hospital-level treatment but are unable to be moved to a lower level of care because they don’t have any family or friends willing to serve as their legal guardian. Without a legal guardian, these patients can end up in a hospital bed for months when they would be much happier and healthier in a different living situation. COGAP fills a critical need by helping to identify legal guardians for patients who are not able to make informed decisions concerning their medical treatment, discharge planning and future housing accommodations due to physical and mental impairments. The team at COGAP is skilled, passionate and highly experienced in navigating these exceptionally complex cases. I am grateful to partner with COGAP as we work together to support our patients."

    Danny DiCarlo
    Assistant Counsel, St. Charles Health System

  • "The services that COGAP provides to our community is invaluable. The people they serve are the most vulnerable population with typically no resources and few to no supports. COGAP is providing people an opportunity for people to live with dignity, safety and security. Their services save lives, get people out of the criminal justice system and into supports that are more appropriate for their individual needs. Central Oregon is exceedingly lucky to have this resource."

    Alison M. Emerson
    Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge

  • "As an elder law attorney, I can say COGAP is a much-needed resource for an ever-growing Central Oregon population. I have assisted in cases where indigent, vulnerable and incapacitated individuals have languished in our jails, hospitals or unsafe living situations because there is nobody with legal decision making authority to assist with housing placement, nutrition services, medical treatment planning or advocacy. The services that COGAP provides to our community is invaluable by providing an opportunity for people to live safely and supported in our community."

    Megan J. Horner, JD MBA
    Horner Law, LLP