Adult Protective Services
APS Contingency Contract Partners
Area II Agency on Aging
Area II Agency on Aging located in Roundup is a 501(c) (3) non profit organization incorporated in 1975. Our planning and service area is comprised of eleven central and south central Montana counties plus the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Reservations. We contract with the Department of Public Health and Human Services for the Older Americans Act and Medicaid Federal dollars and State General Fund dollars that for some programs are in turn contracted to the individual counties and reservations to provide meals, transportation, senior center operation, information and assistance, ombudsman services, case management and in-home services to the eleven counties and two reservations for individuals 60 years of age and older
Through the assistance and guidance of the Billings APS Supervisor in 2003, Area II Agency on Aging developed a recognized Guardianship Program serving persons 18 years or older; who were believed to meet the definition of incapacity as identified in MCA Section 72-5-101
(1) ; who had no appropriate family or friends to fulfill the guardianship duties; who were persons who may be at risk for or a victim of abuse, neglect and/or exploitation; and who were persons residing in the eleven county planning and service area. The Area II Agency is represented by the County Attorney in each of the Area II counties except Yellowstone and Musselshell and in those counties; APS is the lead agent who refers the wards to Area II for guardianship consideration.
The Area II Guardianship Program has a Review Committee comprised of representatives from the Area II Agency, Adult Protective Services, Clergy, a Community Representative and a Medical Professional who screen the applications. Referrals come to the Area II Agency from APS, the community, doctors, hospitals, and long term care facilities. The Guardianship Program is staffed by two Area II Liaisons who have monthly contact with the ward. The Liaisons attend the ward's care plan meetings, are present when the ward has a doctor appointment, celebrate birthdays and special occasions at the long term care facility with the ward, set up burial accounts for each ward with money generated from the Renters/Homeowners Tax Credit Program, the Economic Stimulus Program and with refunds or rebates the ward may qualify to receive.
Area II had 15 wards this past year but ill health leading to death reduced the number to the current number of 8 Wards. Area II and APS enjoy a great working relationship. Area II appreciates the continued support and technical assistance APS provides for each ward referred and accepted into the Area II Guardianship Program.
Serves APS Region 3 Counties of Big Horn, Carbon, Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Musselshell, Petroleum, Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, Yellowstone
Contact Information
Karen Erdie, Administrator
PO Box 127
Roundup, MT 59072-0127
(406) 323-1320
