About Big Bend Guardian
Who We Are
The Big Bend Chapter is a chapter of the Florida State Guardianship Association (FSGA), a nonprofit corporation founded in 1983 for the improvement of guardianship services in Florida.
Governed by a Board of Directors representing eight geographical areas of the state, FSGA is dedicated to promoting the protection, dignity and rights of incapacitated persons. FSGA focuses on furthering the professionalism of guardians through education, networking and legislative action. All members subscribe to the organization’s Code of Ethics.
The Big Bend Chapter welcomes members from Leon and surrounding counties. Chapter members include professional guardians, family/volunteer guardians and affiliated memberships including attorneys, health care providers, facility administrators and others concerned with guardianship. All chapter members are required to be members of FSGA.
Any of our chapter members will be happy to talk with you about your guardianship questions and concerns, and will refer you to the right person if they can’t answer your questions.
Our Mission
Big Bend Guardian is dedicated to:
- Protecting of the dignity and rights of incapacitated persons
- Increasing the professionalism of guardianship through education, networking and legislative action.
Types Of Guardians
Professional Guardians have been thoroughly trained, including passing a competency exam, background and credit checks and are required to obtain continuing education credits every two years.
Professional Guardians are most often required to be bonded for each Guardianship. Every Professional Guardian is registered with the Florida State Public Guardianship Office (SPGO). They are designated as Registered Professional Guardians (RPG).
Professional Guardians may additionally earn the designation of National Certified Guardian (NCG) or National Master Guardian (NMG) by passing an examination demonstrating additional competency and experience administered by the Center for Guardianship Certification.
Family and Volunteer Guardians, upon appointment, receive appropriate training, and are monitored by the Court throughout the Guardianship.
These members include attorneys, case managers, accountants and financial planners, home healthcare agencies, administrators of nursing homes and assisted living facilities and others.