What Is Public Guardianship?

A Simple Guide to Understanding VASIA’s Mission

Imagine living with dementia or a cognitive disability and having no family or trusted support to help you make important life decisions, no one to guide you through healthcare, housing, or financial issues. For thousands of vulnerable adults in Indiana, that’s the reality. And that’s exactly where public guardianship comes in.

Public guardianship is a life-saving service for individuals who are legally incapacitated and have no one else to help them. But despite its vital importance, few people outside the court system truly understand how it works, or how organizations like District 17 VASIA play a central role.

Whether you’re a concerned community member, a healthcare worker, or someone wondering how to refer a neighbor or loved one for guardianship, this guide will help you understand what public guardianship is, how VASIA fits in, and how you can get involved.

What Is Public Guardianship?

Public guardianship is a court-appointed legal relationship where an organization or individual is assigned to make decisions for an adult who has been deemed incapacitated and lacks appropriate support.

In Indiana, this system is designed to protect people who are:

Unable to make informed decisions about their personal, medical, or financial affairs
At risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation
Without capable or willing family or friends to act as a guardian

A public guardian helps ensure that the individual, known legally as a protected person or ward, is safe, housed, cared for, and treated with dignity.

VASIA’s Role in District 17

District 17 VASIA (Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults) is the official public guardianship program serving Johnson, Shelby, and Hancock counties in Indiana. While the state supports a broader system of public guardianship programs, each judicial district is responsible for serving its own local population.

What makes VASIA unique is its volunteer-based model. Instead of relying solely on paid staff or government employees, VASIA recruits and trains compassionate volunteers to become court-appointed guardians for adults in need. These volunteers serve as advocates, decision-makers, and often the only consistent presence in a protected person’s life.

Each VASIA client is matched with a trained volunteer who visits regularly, attends court hearings, oversees care decisions, and ensures the client’s voice is heard; especially when the client can no longer speak up for themselves.

How Is VASIA Different from Adult Protective Services?

Many people confuse VASIA with Adult Protective Services (APS), but they serve different roles in the continuum of care.

APS investigates reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults. Their job is to respond and intervene quickly in cases of immediate danger.
VASIA, on the other hand, steps in after a court has determined guardianship is needed. VASIA provides ongoing legal guardianship for those who can’t make decisions for themselves and who have no other suitable guardian.

To explore this in more detail, you can read our post:
What’s the Difference Between APS and VASIA?

When Is Public Guardianship Needed?

Not every adult who struggles needs a guardian, but courts will consider appointing one when a person:

Has significant cognitive impairment or mental illness
Is being financially exploited or physically neglected
Lacks capacity to consent to medical treatment or manage daily life
Has no appropriate family or friends willing or able to serve

In these cases, a guardianship referral can be made to VASIA for evaluation. If accepted, VASIA will match the client with a trained volunteer who will serve as a court-appointed legal guardian, protecting that person’s rights, safety, and well-being.

How to Refer Someone for Guardianship

If you’re a social worker, nurse, neighbor, or simply a concerned community member, you may be wondering how to refer someone for guardianship services.

The process is straightforward, and we’ve created a short video to walk you through it. You can also find all the details on our website:

Guardianship Referral Information

Quick steps to get started:

Identify that the adult meets criteria for legal incapacity and lacks a suitable guardian
Complete the referral form through the VASIA website
Include any and all supporting documentation from physicians, case workers, or healthcare providers
Wait for VASIA to assess the case and determine if a volunteer is available

It’s important to note: VASIA can only accept cases if there’s a trained volunteer advocate available. That’s why recruiting new volunteers is so essential to serving the growing number of vulnerable adults in our region.

How Volunteer Guardians Make a Difference

Public guardianship protects legal rights, but VASIA adds something more: human connection.

Volunteers serve as:

Advocates in court and medical settings
Protectors against abuse and exploitation
Companions who visit regularly and provide emotional support
Decision-makers for medical care, housing, and more

Each VASIA volunteer typically supports one or two clients, depending on their availability. With proper training and mentorship, even those without a legal or medical background can make a lasting impact on someone’s life.

You Can Help Fulfill VASIA’s Mission

At its core, District 17 VASIA exists to bring dignity, comfort, and security to those most at risk of being forgotten. But we can’t do it without volunteers who are willing to serve as guardians, mentors, and advocates.

As our region expands to include Hancock County in 2026, the demand for qualified volunteers will only increase. If you or someone you know has a compassionate heart and a desire to serve, now is the perfect time to step forward.

Visit our Volunteer Information Page to learn how to get involved.