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<br />GUARDIAN AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES, INC.
<br />
<br />RECEIVED
<br />
<br />May 4, 2006
<br />
<br />MAY 512006
<br />
<br />CASS COUNTY COMMISSION
<br />
<br />Vern Bennet, Chairman
<br />Cass County Commission
<br />PO Box 2806
<br />Fargo, ND 58108
<br />
<br />Re: Cass County Funding
<br />
<br />Dear Me Bennet
<br />
<br />Guardian and Proteetive Services, Inc, (GaPS) presently provides protective arrangements and
<br />services to approximately 232 vulnerable adults in the Fargo area, These individuals are elderly,
<br />disabled, and chronically mentally ill adults who are in need of protective intervention due to self-
<br />!1eglecl, lInancial exploitation and/or abu,e uy famiiy member, or others, They are often without
<br />a family support system and have limited resources, Consequently, they are unable to secure
<br />protective arrangements,
<br />
<br />Services we provide include assisting individuals in maintaining residence in their own homes,
<br />arranging for proper medical treatment when necessary, removing vulnerable individuals from
<br />abusive situations, stopping lInancial exploitation, attempting to minimize self-neglect while
<br />maintaining as much independence for the person as possible, initiating guardianship and/or
<br />conservatorship procedures when necessary, and pursuing less legal restrictive appointments such
<br />as power of attomey or representative payee when appropriate,
<br />
<br />We also assist with financial affairs based on individual needs, such as budgeting, bill paying, and
<br />completing applications for assistance programs, In addition, we strive to educate the public on
<br />protective arrangements and services available, and often refer individuals to community services
<br />and programs that they did not know exist
<br />
<br />Improved mental and physical capabilities resulting from proper nutrition and medical services
<br />helps keep individuals in their homes longer, which results in financial savings. Home care or
<br />basic care rather than nursing home care can save up to $3000,00 per month, Also, identification
<br />and sale of assets to purchase needcd services and accessing family members to assist with costs
<br />of medical, social, and legal services, saves tax dollars,
<br />
<br />By providing financial assistance we are able to prevent exploitation of needed assets, legal
<br />difficulties, and unnecessary shutoff actions from utility companies, Furthermore, renters who
<br />would normally tum many of these individuals away have been more willing to opcn their doors
<br />to them with the knowledge that our agency is involved, because it provides them with assurance
<br />,hat the rent will always be paid. Withoul GaPS fIscal management, these people would possibly
<br />be homeless and living on the streets of Fargo-Moorhead.
<br />
<br />Fargo Office
<br />701-297-8988' Fax 701-451-9203
<br />Toll Free 1-866-798-4277
<br />email gapsfargo@gapsinc,org
<br />100 South 4th Street, Suite 403
<br />Fargo, North Dakota 58103
<br />
<br />website: www,gapsinc,org
<br />
<br />Bismarck Office
<br />701-222-8678' Fax 701-222-6666
<br />Toll Free 1-888-570-4277
<br />e-mail gaps@gapsinc,org
<br />316 North 5th Street, Suite 112
<br />Bismarck, North Dakota 58501
<br />
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