Adults with Intellectual Disabilites
Advocacy and support for individuals in need.
Adults with intellectual disabilities
Supporting Independence and Dignity for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities
Catholic Charities North Dakota provides compassionate guardianship services for adults with intellectual disabilities across the state. Our goal is to protect each individual’s rights, promote independence, and support a meaningful quality of life through thoughtful advocacy and personalized care.
We understand that every person’s abilities, needs, and circumstances are unique. Our experienced team works closely with individuals, families, caregivers, and service providers to ensure decisions are made in the best interest of the individual while honoring dignity and self-determination.
Adults with intellectual disabilities
Comprehensive Guardianship Services
Advocacy and Coordination of Care
We advocate for individuals across systems that can feel complex or overwhelming, including healthcare, social services, residential and vocational programs, and community resources. Our team collaborates with human service centers, county social services, and service providers to identify needs and coordinate consistent, appropriate care. We also communicate regularly with staff at an individual’s home or workplace to ensure supports remain effective and responsive.
Support With Healthcare and Medical Decisions
Our guardians support informed healthcare decision-making by working directly with medical professionals and care teams. This may include attending appointments when needed and ensuring treatment plans reflect the individual’s best interests, preferences, and overall well-being. Whenever possible, individuals are involved in decisions about their care, reinforcing dignity and self-determination.
Financial Oversight and Benefit Management
When applicable, we assist with financial oversight to help protect individuals from financial risk, abuse, or exploitation. This may include managing benefits, budgeting for essential needs, and coordinating with representative payees or conservators. All financial decisions are made with transparency and with the individual’s best interest at the center.
Collaboration With Families and Community Providers
Strong partnerships are essential to effective guardianship. Our team works closely with families, caregivers, service providers, and community organizations to build a supportive and inclusive network around each individual. Regular communication and ongoing visits allow us to stay connected to each person’s needs, ensure health and safety, and support the highest level of independence possible.
Adult Guardianship Services
Promoting Independence and Dignity
Adults with intellectual disabilities may face challenges navigating systems, accessing resources, or managing complex decisions. Our role is to provide guidance and advocacy while encouraging independence and personal growth whenever possible. We support individuals by:
- Advocating for rights and access to services
- Community involvement and inclusion
- Ensuring residential and vocational needs are met
- Offering guidance and reassurance to families and caregivers
Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Understanding Guardianship
Guardianship
Guardianship is when a person has the legal authority to care for the personal and property interests of another person. Guardianship is the appointment of a person or entity to oversee the physical and medical care of an individual who has been legally determined to be incapacitated. A guardian is required to act in and represent the best interests of the individual, and to protect the individual and his or her rights. A guardian must ensure that services are provided in the least restrictive way possible and are tailored to the needs of the individual.
Conservatorship
Conservatorship may be appointed to manage the estate and finances of an individual. This is usually done when an individual has significant assets to manage. The appointment is a separate legal process and does not involve making decisions regarding the individual’s personal life.
Representative Payee
Representative Payee is a person who acts as the receiver of United States Social Security funds, Disability or Supplemental Security Income for a person who is not fully capable of managing their own benefits, i.e. they are losing their housing, being financially exploited. The representative payee is expected to assist the person with money management along with providing protection from financial victimization. The Representative Payee is appointed by Social Security and is not part of the legal process.
Adults with intellectual disabilities
Types of Guardianship
North Dakota Century Code recognizes that an individual may need the protection of a guardian in all areas of life or only in specific areas. Guardianship is designed to be flexible and tailored to each person’s unique needs, with authority defined by the court.
General Guardian
A General Guardian is responsible for decisions in all aspects of an individual’s life. This includes ensuring the individual has safe housing, food, clothing, and access to necessary services such as medical care, education, vocational opportunities, and other supports essential to their well-being.
Limited Guardian
A Limited Guardian is given authority to make decisions only in specific areas of the individual’s life. These areas are clearly outlined in the court’s order or letters of guardianship, allowing the individual to retain decision-making authority in all other areas.
Emergency Guardian
An Emergency Guardian may be appointed when immediate action is required to prevent harm to the individual. Emergency guardianships are temporary and may not remain in effect for longer than 90 days.
Testamentary Guardian
A Testamentary Guardian may be appointed through a will by a guardian spouse or guardian parent of a person who has been legally determined to be incapacitated. This appointment designates a successor guardian to serve in the future if needed.
Adults with intellectual Disabilities in North Dakota
Referral Process
Catholic Charities North Dakota provides guardianship services for adults age 18 and older with intellectual disabilities through a contract with the Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship.
If you believe someone may need a legal guardian and no appropriate guardian is available, please contact your local Regional Human Service Center and request a Developmental Disabilities Program Manager. All referrals to our guardianship program must come directly from a Developmental Disabilities Program Manager.
Adults with intellectual disabilities FAQS
FAQs About Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Guardianship
Begin your journey to empower adults with intellectual disabilities today. If you’re looking for support for yourself, a family member, or a client, we’re ready to assist. Our team will listen, understand your specific needs, and offer tailored solutions.
What services does Catholic Charities North Dakota offer for adults with intellectual disabilities?
Catholic Charities North Dakota provides compassionate guardianship and support services for adults with intellectual disabilities across the state. Our goal is to protect each individual’s rights, promote independence, and support a meaningful quality of life through thoughtful advocacy and personalized care.
Is Catholic Charities North Dakota's support for adults with intellectual disabilities available statewide?
Yes. Catholic Charities North Dakota serves individuals statewide who qualify through the Human Service Center. With multiple locations across North Dakota, we strive to make our services accessible to residents throughout the state.
How do I go about establishing a guardianship?
Establishing guardianship involves a legal process. Through this program, the Developmental Disabilities Program Manager (DDPM) at the Human Service Center assumes responsibility for completing the guardianship process, including filing the necessary court documents and coordinating the hearing. Following the hearing, the court determines whether guardianship is needed, the scope of guardianship, and who will serve as guardian.
Helping Families, making change
Reach Out Today
If you are seeking guardianship or support services for an adult with intellectual disabilities, our team is here to help. We are happy to answer questions, explain the process, and guide you through next steps.
Contact Catholic Charities North Dakota to learn how we can support you or your loved one with compassionate, professional care.