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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #2087 |
| Guardianship Services |
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| Requester: |
Rod Malloy |
Organization: |
Lutheran Services Florida |
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| Project Title: |
Guardianship Services |
Date Submitted |
1/4/2008 11:40:53 AM |
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| Sponsors: |
Crist |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| The State of Florida is one of the top three states for numbers of the elderly population, with those over sixty-five, numbering over 3 million. Current figures from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs for the year 2004 indicate that there are 3,006,746 persons or 17.6% of Florida's population aged sixty-five and over and this population is continuing to grow. According to statistics reported by the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research (1999), the projected number of Florida's population will increase by 19.6% to nearly 18 million people in 2010. Of that number, 19% will be over the age of sixty-five. There are an esitmated 450,000 Floridians living with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia create high-risk situations for thousands of seniors in Tampa Bay, and the demographics clearly indicate significant growth in the needs of the older adult population. With all these figures in mind, it is important to note that of these persons aged sixty and over, the Department of Elder Affairs estimates that approximately 14% suffer from probable Alzheimer's; 16% are considered "low income; or "proverty level". Many of these clients suffer from chronic medical conditions, have survived their spouses and oftentimes their family. If there is family, they are not local or are unable or unwilling to assist in providing for the individuals needs. According to the Statewide Public Guardianship Office Annual Report for 2005, the Department of Elder Affairs estimates in the Public Guardianship, An Assessment of Need, that a minimum of 5,000-10,000 people annually need the services of a public guardian in the State of Florida. |
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| Recipient: |
Lutheran Services Florida |
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Contact: |
Rod Malloy |
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3627A West Waters Avenue |
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Contact Phone: |
(813) 676-9505 |
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Tampa 33614 |
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Contact email: |
rmalloy@lsfnet.org |
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| Counties: |
Hillsborough |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| Provision of court appointed guardianship services to some of the community's most vulnerable citizens identified as currently suffering from or being at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation. These individuals have become incapable of managing everyday life situations, such as taking care of their basic daily needs. These needs may include providing for food, clothing and shelter, protecting themselves from abuse and exploitation, ensuring bills are paid, taxes are filed and paid, medical procedures attended to and applying for benefits to which they are entitled. Individuals may fall into this situation because of the mental health diagnosis, developmental disability, a head injury or infirmities as a result of aging, such as Alzaheimer's or other dementias. The Guardian is appointed not only to protect them from injustices, but also to serve as their advocate. Lutheran Services Florida is currently serving as guardian for over 600 clients in the State of Florida - over 70% are indigent, frail and elderly, with no other alternative program available to them. LSF provides |
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| Immediate protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation of 100% of individuals serviced.
The goal of the Tampa Bay Area Guardianship program is to provide guardianship services to some of the community�s most vulnerable citizens. The LSF Guardianship Program is dedicated to protecting incapacitated individuals�the majority of whom are frail elderly�from abuse, neglect and exploitation, while ensuring and sometimes improving their quality of life with the dignity they deserve. LSF accomplishes this by being legally appointed on the individuals identified at risk therefore enabling us to assess and monitor their physical, psychological, sociological and financial needs on an ongoing basis.
LSF is the only agency in Hillsborough County providing service to a large number of incapacitated individuals at no charge or at a drastically reduced rate. The agency fills a great need by providing services, which are unduplicated in this area of Florida. Without LSF, many indigent and low-income individuals in need of guardianship services would be left unprotected and at risk
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$150,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$1,200,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
None |
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Cash Amount |
$ |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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No |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
Statewide Public Guardianship Office Needs Assessment 2004 |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation Meeting |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
