Frequently Asked Questions

As of October 2017, Marin Family Connections has reached capacity and is screening all referrals.   Providers can call (415) 473-6008 to discuss options. 

Marin Family Connections supports providers in understanding resources in Marin.  If screened into services, (after provider call), MFC offers a needs assessment and case management for up to 2 months for eligible families.

Marin Family Connections offers needs assessments, care coordination, and links to needed resources.

Yes, as of October 2017, Marin Family Connections serves families with the following criteria: limited social supports AND teen pregnancy, unaccompanied minors, behavioral health issues, and/or children under 5 years of age. Marin Family Connections is a free resource. Services provided will vary according to the family need.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones

http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageNavigator/ntlc10_mffc_homepageasq.html

No. In fact, we often can create a specific assignment to meet the needs and skills of a volunteer. You may call (415) 473-3515 to talk to HHS volunteer coordinator Tara Clark to see what the possibilities are. For the Civic Center Volunteers main line, call (415) 473-7167.

WIC is a food and nutrition program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture through the California Department of Health.

WIC helps to correct or prevent malnutrition in low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women, women who recently had a baby, infants and children up to 5 years old who are at health risk due to inadequate nutrition. WIC provides supplemental food, offers professional nutrition education and makes referrals based on health screening and assessments of need.

Applicants must meet all of the following 5 criteria:

1. Fall into one of the following categories: Pregnant Women, Breastfeeding Women up to 1 year from delivery, Postpartum Women up to 6 months from delivery, Infants, Children up to their 5th birthday
2. Parents, step-parents, grandparents, guardians, and foster parents of infants and children under the age of 5 can apply.
3. Live in California
4. Income eligible (at or below 185% of Federal Poverty Guidelines or on Medicaid or food stamps)
5. Have a nutritional need or risk.

Participation in the following programs:

• Medicaid
• Food Stamps (SNAP/CalFresh)
• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Program
• National School Lunch Program

3 pay stubs / pay check receipts.
Signed letter from employer stating wages

You can provide a signed statement provided by employer that states your wages.

• Review of income.
• Review of health and medical history.
• Review of usual dietary intake and eating patterns.
• Review of immunization record (children only).
• Height & weight measurements taken.
• Hemoglobin test performed (over 9 months of age).
• Meet with health professional for determination of nutrition eligibility for program.
• Discuss foods that will be received from WIC.
• Learn nutrition & health information applicable for participant.
• Learn about other helpful services & resources in the community.
• Learn about how to use the WIC Food Instruments (checks).
• Make next appointment to pick up Food Instruments and receive additional nutrition education.

• Proof of income 
• Proof of identification for the applicant (drivers license, birth certificate)
• Proof of applicant's address
• Proof of pregnancy, if available (for Pregnant Women)
• Immunization record (for children)
• Applicants should contact the main Marin County WIC office for more specific information.

• Yes, you qualify if you are under 18 years old and live with your parents/legal guardians,
• AND, your parents/legal guardians meet WIC income eligibility requirements
• AND/OR provide less than 50% of living necessities

Look for the WIC sign located in the front of the store.  Also, you receive specific information for which surrounding locations welcome WIC clients when you enroll into the WIC program. WIC clients will receive step-by-step instructions for how to use the WIC vouchers.

Call us: (415) 473-6889.

Every six months.

• Helps Marin County Department of Health & Human Services serve more people in less time, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality associated with a bioterrorism event.
• Provides a valuable and appreciated service to your employees and others.
• Added assurance that your employees will come to work instead of going to a POD, thus improving your continuity of operations.
• Demonstrates community involvement; partnerships play a vital role in Marin County’s response to a Public Health Emergency.

Distributes life-saving medication to employees, employee family members and other clientele to the best of its ability during an emergency that calls for mass prophylaxis of the entire population of Marin County.

Becoming a Dispensing Partner is easy and we will assist you every step of the way.

1. Complete the Dispensing Partner Registration Form email it to us at dispensingpartners@marincounty.org.
2. Develop a simple dispensing plan.
3. We have a template to assist you in the development of your dispensing plan.
4. Register on CAHAN (the California Health Alert Network).
5. Complete some short online trainings.  These online trainings were developed by the Bay Area Mass Prophylaxis Working Group (BAMPWG).

• A representative from the Marin County Department of Health & Human Services will contact you to:
• Confirm that you will be able to dispense medications
• Confirm the number of courses that you are planning to dispense
• Tell you where you can pick up the free medication
• Give you any other information or direction that you may need at the time of the emergency

• The child is referred to CCS,
• The parent submits a signed CCS application,
• The hospital or doctor submits medical records to CCS which the CCS Medical Director reviews to determine medical eligibility for the MTP,
• If eligible, the parent attends an initial Program Service appointment for introduction to the CCS program and completion of all documentation,
• Child is scheduled for therapy evaluation and Medical Therapy Clinic appointment,
• PT and/or OT evaluate your child and make recommendations about the type and frequency of therapy that your child will need.

Each child starts with an initial physical and/or occupational therapy evaluation to determine the type and frequency of therapy the child will need. The physical therapist (PT) focuses on the large movements of the body, such as rolling, crawling and walking. The occupational therapist (OT) concentrates on fine muscle movements required in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) such as grooming, bathing, or feeding. The CCS therapist(s) then work with the parent to develop a treatment plan, including a home exercise program, which meets the needs of the child and family and the requirements of the CCS program. Therapist(s) monitor the child for the progress of their physical development over time. The frequency and specifics of treatment activities depend upon identification of achievable functional goals by the rehabilitation team.

Children will receive either active or monitor level of therapy services at the MTU. A child on active therapy receives therapy services one time per month or more. A child receiving active therapy must make continuing measurable progress towards his or her functional goals. The child on active therapy will be reassessed every six months in the Medical Therapy Clinic (MTC) by a CCS physician who will oversee the therapy treatment plan and monitor the child’s progress.

A child on a monitor level of therapy means the child is receiving therapy services less than one time per month. This level of therapy includes monitoring of the child’s equipment and bracing and his or her home exercise program.

Functional goals are developed specifically for the child by his or her occupational and/or physical therapist, with parent input, in order to objectively measure the child’s progress in therapy over a period of time. These goals are based on functional motor skills which are appropriate for the child’s development and chronological age.

A child is eligible for the MTP until they are 21 if they meet CCS MTP medical eligibility requirements. They may not, however, be eligible for active therapy services until they are 21. It is a State requirement for the CCS therapy program that a child must continue to make measurable progress towards his or her functional goals in order to receive active therapy services. Therapist(s) will monitor a child’s progress and once goals are achieved, or a child’s developmental progress has reached a plateau, therapy frequency will be decreased to a monitor level.

Therapy provided through the schools is educationally based. The goals are developed by school staff to directly address improving access to the child’s school curriculum. The goals are written into the child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) by the IEP team.

Therapy provided at the MTU is medically based. The child is assessed in a collaborative effort by a rehabilitation team including parents, PT, OT, Medical Therapy Clinic (MTC) physician and case managers. Therapy treatment plan and goals are developed and recommended by the rehab team. Goals are functionally based and address independence in skills of gross motor movement and fine motor skills required in Activities of Daily Living. A signed therapy prescription by the MTC physician is required for the child to receive therapy treatment.

Persons 60 years of age and older who are homebound and are in need of substantial support in at least two areas of daily functioning (based on an assessment) are eligible to receive Meals on Wheels. You are eligible for Meals on Wheels, regardless of your age, if you are the spouse or domestic partner of an eligible meal recipient who is receiving Meals on Wheels.  You may be eligible if you live in the home of someone currently receiving meals and have a disability as defined by the Center for Medicare/ Medicaid Service that can be verified through SSDI or MediCare documentation.

Call (415) 457-INFO

If you live in West Marin, please call West Marin Senior Services at (415) 663-8148. When the program has space for new meal recipients, we can complete the intake process over the phone.

1. The application process starts with an initial assessment done over the phone. You will be asked to provide your name, address, contact information, and specific demographic information such as your age, income, and marital status. 
2. There is no income qualification for this program, but you must be at least 60 years old and have functional limitations.  This will be determined by asking you some questions to determine your ability to perform activities of daily living and nutrition risk.  At the end of the interview, the assessor will determine if you qualify. 
3. At that point, your enrollment is conditional until we verify the information you provided by doing a home visit within 2 weeks after you enroll in the program.   

The information we gather is for statistical purposes only and is used to secure ongoing funding for the program. None of your personal data is reported or shared with other agencies or individuals. We take the protection of your privacy seriously.

Yes. County representatives are required to do two assessments on the telephone and two in-home visits per year to verify continued eligibility. In-person assessments have been suspended until permitted by state and local policies and guidance.  All assessments are currently done on the telephone.

Clients receive from 3 - 7 meals per week, depending on the need determined at time of client intake.  Meals are delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and the number of delivery days is dependent on the number of weekly meals determined. Delivery is between 9am  - 4pm, based on your location in Marin County.     Needs are assessed on a quarterly basis.

Our program offers either a Regular menu or a Vegetarian menu option; clients must choose between  the Regular or Vegetarian option each month.  Each well-balanced meal includes a protein a vegetable, a starch, milk, and fruit. The meals range from home-style casseroles to stews, along with tasty sauces on items like poultry, beef, and pork dishes on the Regular menu. The Vegetarian menu also offers delicious items, and both menus are served with complementary side dishes. New menus are provided to clients each month.

Meals are prepared by the Sonoma Council on Aging.

Fresh meals are prepared daily by Sonoma County Council on Aging.

Our meals are heart-healthy and well-balanced with measured portions, and rarely include concentrated sweets or juices.  They are not designed to accommodate renal diets, or those requiring very low sodium.  Each meal is designed to not exceed 750 milligrams of sodium.

Yes. The Vegetarian menu contains dairy and eggs, and is not vegan.

We are unable to accommodate individual dietary preferences or restrictions.  Clients must choose between the vegetarian or regular menu each month.

We ask for a voluntary contribution of $3.50 per meal. We recognize that some clients are not able to afford the donation and will not be turned away for lack of funds. The requested donation is used to help cover the cost of the program, as funding for Meals on Wheels does not cover the full cost of the program.

No. Each month you will receive a request for voluntary contribution, itemizing the number of meals we delivered to you the previous month.  Included will be a return envelope for your donation with the statement and you can either return the envelope to your delivery driver or mail it back to us.

We will continue to deliver meals to you. Our program is not based on ability to donate for the meals. 

Depending on where you live, delivery windows are between 9:00 am and 12:00pm, or between 1:00pm and 4:00pm. Meals are delivered by Whistlestop drivers, and subject to their transport schedules. If you live in West Marin, meals will be delivered by West Marin Senior Services  

No.  Because so many meals are delivered each day we need to be careful of our food costs. We require that we have an established delivery pattern for each client. We order meals for our clients once per week on Tuesdays for the following week.  With as much notice as possible, we can hold delivery of your meals for a maximum of 4 weeks to accommodate special situations.

No. We cannot risk our clients’ health by leaving fresh food un-refrigerated for any period of time. 

While we realize emergencies occur, we require a minimum of a week to HOLD a meal delivery. As much notice as possible allows us to keep wasted meals to a minimum and cuts down on unwanted or unsuccessful deliveries. Scheduling appointments on the days you are not expecting meal deliveries helps in this area and keeps cancelations to a minimum.

In the event that you miss your scheduled delivery, you will find a door tag from the driver stating that they missed you. Unfortunately, the drivers are unable to return for a second attempt at delivery.

Please note: Frequent missed deliveries can become a problem and are reason for cancellation from the program.

Marin County COVID-19 Guidance for self-quarantine

As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the Bay Area, many have been asked to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the disease. We’ve heard that you want to know what that means for you and your household. Self-quarantining in a living space that is shared with others can be difficult, but it’s not impossible.

Even though the person you live with does not have symptoms, self-quarantining means separating as much as possible from other people sharing the living space. They should stay in their own bedroom and, if possible, use a bathroom that is not shared with others. If there’s only one bathroom, set up a bathroom rotation in which the self-quarantining individual uses the bathroom last and then disinfects it thoroughly with these proper disinfection techniques. If the self-quarantining individual needs to come out of their room for any reason, they should wash their hands and wear a mask. 

Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces frequently. This includes countertops, doorknobs, light switches, and bathroom surfaces. Wash your hands frequently.

Do not share any items with the self-quarantining individual. This includes dishes, drinking glasses, silverware, towels, phones, and remote controls. If possible, use a dishwasher to clean and dry dishes and silverware used by the self-quarantining individual. If this is not possible, wash them by hand using detergent and warm water. Dry them thoroughly, using a separate dishtowel.

The self-quarantining individual should vigilantly self-monitor for possible symptoms. But as long as all members of your household are following these self-quarantine and hygiene guidelines closely, those not in self-quarantine can continue to participate in your normal activities outside of the home while someone at home is self-quarantining. Follow these steps to prevent illness and protect yourself.

Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Marin County:

MarinHHS.org/coronavirus is the official County website for centralized information about the current coronavirus emergency. Visit the Marin County Coronavirus webpage to review answers to frequently asked questions or subscribe to receive email updates. Individuals can contact Marin Health and Human Services with non-medical questions about the coronavirus by calling (415) 473-7191 (Monday – Friday, 9:30am to 12-noon and 1pm to 5pm) or emailing COVID-19@marincounty.org

Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. Medi-Cal provides(link is external) free or low-cost medical, vision, and dental services(link is external) for individuals and families who live in California and meet all eligibility criteria. People who receive Medi-Cal in Marin include low-income adults, families with children, seniors, persons with disabilities, children in foster care, former foster youth up to age 26, pregnant persons, etc. For more information, click here for English and here for Spanish.

The County Medical Services Program (CMSP) provides temporary health coverage for uninsured low-income, indigent adults that are not otherwise eligible for other publicly funded health care programs.

CMSP is generally available to individuals who meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Are a resident of Marin County
• Are between the ages of 21 through 64
• Have income between 138% and 300% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Meet personal property limits.

For more information about CMSP eligibility, click here for English and here for Spanish.

For more information about what services CMSP provides, click here for English and here for Spanish.

If you get SSI, do not have a U.S. mailing address, and are unable to change your address online, you can report your change by:

• Calling (800)7 72-1213 (TTY (800) 325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Contacting your local Social Security office via their online locator (link to external site).

If you get SSI, Social Security will process your Medi-Cal renewal. If you have questions, call (800) 772-1213, or contact your local Social Security office.

There are generally two kinda of Medi-Cal coverages: full scope and restricted scope:

• Full scope benefits generally provides medical, dental, mental health, vision (eye) care, drugs your doctor orders, and more.  Full scope Medi-Cal and CMSP benefits are available to individuals who meet all eligibility criteria and are either United States citizens/nationals or have satisfactory immigration status.
• Restricted scope benefits provide limited health care coverage such as emergency services and pregnancy-related services. Restricted scope Medi-Cal and CMSP benefits are available to individuals who meet the eligibility criteria and whose immigration status has not been determined, who are not United States citizens/nationals, or who do not have satisfactory immigration status.

Important things to note about full scope coverage and restricted scope coverage:

• Effective May 1, 2016, all children under the age of 19 are eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal benefits regardless of immigration status, as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.
• Effective January 1, 2020, under the Young Adult Expansion policy change, all young adults under the age of 26 are eligible for full scope Medi-Cal benefits regardless of immigration status, as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.
• Effective May 1, 2022, under the Older Adult Expansion policy change, all adults age 50 and older are eligible for full scope Medi-Cal benefits regardless of immigration status, as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.
• Effective January 1, 2024, under the Adult Expansioni policy change, all adults age 26 through 49 years of age are eligible for full socpe Medi-Cal benefits regardless of immigration status, as long as they meet all other eligibility requirements.

There are multiple convenient ways you can apply for Medi-Cal and CMSP, including:

• Online: www.benefitscal.com(link is external) or www.coveredca.com(link is external)
• By Phone: (877) 410-8817
• In person:
• 120 N. Redwood Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903
• 3240 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael, CA 94901
• 1 6th St., Point Reyes Station, CA 94956
• By fax: (415) 473-355
• By mail: PO Box 4160, San Rafael, CA 94913

Anyone can apply at any time of the year. There is no limit to how many times you can apply for Medi-Cal or CMSP and there is no cost to apply for either of these programs.

You will need to provide an application and may be asked to provide additional information or documentation, including, but not limited to:

• Proof of income such as pay stubs, Social Security award letter, child support or alimony, unemployment/disability stubs, or veterans benefits
• Proof of identification, citizenship and/or immigration status
• Proof of resources such as checking and savings account statements, stocks, bonds, annuities, vehicle registration, life insurance, etc.

Once you submit your application, it will be reviewed by an Eligibility Worker. If additional information or documentation is needed, the Eligibility Worker will contact you to request the information. You can provide information by mail, by phone, in person, by fax, and in some cases, by email.

After your application has been reviewed and processed, you will receive a Notice of Action detailing what you are eligible for. If you are eligible for Medi-Cal or CMSP, you will receive a Benefit Identification Card (BIC) shortly after your approval. You can use your BIC at participating doctor's office, pharmacies, etc. If you did not receive a BIC card or need a replacement card, please reach out to our Call Center at (877) 410-8817 to speak with an Eligibility Worker.

If you are not eligible for Medi-Cal or CMSP, you may be referred to Covered California to explore other health and dental insurance options.

You will get a letter in the mail. The letter will tell you if your Medi-Cal coverage was renewed automatically or if your county needs more information to renew your Medi-Cal. If you receive a renewal packet or a letter asking for more information, you may submit the information by mail, phone, in person, or online. Counties will mail you a letter about your Medi-Cal eligibility. You may need to complete a renewal form. The letter from your county should arrive around the same time as when you have received similar letters in past years. For example, if your Medi-Cal renewal was due in April in past years, you should watch for a letter from your county in the two months before April.

Partnership Health Plan (PHP) is the managed care provider for Marin County. PHP helps Medi-Cal beneficiaries find a doctor and use their Medi-Cal services. Most newly eligible Medi-Cal beneficiaries will receive information from PHP within 30 days of their Medi-Cal approval.

Individuals and families who meet all Medi-Cal eligibility criteria may be eligible for one of the following types of Medi-Cal:

• Zero share of cost (free) Medi-Cal, or
• Medi-Cal with a share of cost

Note: whether or not you have free Medi-Cal or Medi-Cal with a share of cost depends on many factors including but not limited to household composition, household income, household expenses, and tax filing status.

If you no longer qualify for Medi-Cal, you may be able to get health coverage through Covered California. Losing Medi-Cal allows you to enroll in a Covered California plan outside of the open enrollment period. The local county office will send you information about how to sign up.

You may soon need to take steps to find out if you still qualify for Medi-Cal. Counties will mail you a letter about your Medi-Cal eligibility. You may need to complete a renewal form. Make sure your current contact information is updated with your local county office, if it has changed.

The local county office will only ask you for more information if they need it to renew your Medi-Cal. If you receive a renewal packet or a letter asking for more information, you may submit the information by mail, phone, in person, or online.

If you moved recently, or if any of your contact information, like your phone number or email address, has changed, report your changes to your local county office to make sure you get important information about your Medi-Cal coverage. If you got a new job or your income has changed, be prepared to provide verifications. Check your mail – Counties will mail you a letter about your Medi-Cal eligibility. You may need to complete a renewal form. If you're sent a renewal form, submit your information by mail, phone, in-person, or online, so you don't lose your coverage. Create or check your online account – Covered California, BenefitsCal, or MyBenefitsCalWIN to sign up to get text or email alerts about your case. You may submit renewals or requested information online.

You can find more information about current Public Charge rules on the Marin HHS Public Charge website and the Canal Alliance Public Charge website.

You can find for a dentist that accepts Medi-Cal by visiting the Medi-Cal Dental Portal website and searching for a dentist near you. 

BenefitsCal.com is a new simple way for customers to apply for, view, and renew benefits for health coverage, food and cash assistance.

BenefitsCal is the first statewide automated site built by and for the people of California.  Together, we benefit.

BenefitsCal will make it easier than ever to:

• Apply online
• Renew your benefits
• Upload documents
• Report changes
• Connect with a caseworker

BenefitsCal supports applications for

• CalFresh
• Medi-Cal/County Medical Services Program (CMSP)
• CalWORKS
• General Aid/General Relief (GA/GR)
• Disaster CalFresh
• Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI)

Visit BenefitsCal.com today to apply!

Our Wastewater Surveillance program collects samples from six strategic sites, covering approximately 85% of Marin County's population. These sites are Novato Sanitary District, Las Gallinas Valley Sanitary District, Central Marin Sanitation Agency, Canal - West Railroad (managed by Central Marin Sanitation Agency), Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin, Sausalito-Marin City Sanitary District.

Marin County's commitment to cutting-edge surveillance is fortified by the support of Verily’s WastewaterSCAN program and the participation of our local sanitary agencies. Notably, our Canal - West Railroad site is also part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Wastewater Surveillance System.

Each collection area, serving a minimum population of 10,000 people, ensures anonymity in Marin's Wastewater Surveillance Program. Wastewater data cannot identify specific individuals or locations.

The CDC National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS), incorporating data from sites like Canal – West Railroad in Marin, offers a national perspective. Explore data on their official webpage.

California Department of Public Health's (CDPH’s) California Wastewater Surveillance Network (Cal-SuWers) includes participation from Marin County's Canal - West Railroad. For statewide data, visit their dedicated webpage.

In October 2020, Marin County initiated a wastewater testing pilot program with UC Berkeley, leading to future collaboration with Verily's WastewaterSCAN. Learn about our journey here.

A pilot for overdose prevention, funded until January 2024, explores wastewater data beyond infectious diseases by measuring levels of high risk substances. Stay tuned for insights into this innovative program's findings in early 2024.

Every applicant for a building permit involving a structure built before January 1, 1978 must show 
proof of successful completion of the LSWP Quiz. 

The LSWP Quiz is available on the County of Marin website and can be accessed from any 
computer with internet access.

Click on the following link: Lead-Safe Work Practices Quiz. Type in your full name and answer the questions by checking the boxes next to each correct answer and click ?continue?. If you have one or more incorrect answers they will be displayed in "red" and you will be asked to go back and correct them. If you need help answering any question, click on the "help" button next to the question and a small window with more information will be displayed. If all questions are answered correctly, you will be prompted to continue to the "LSWP Certificate" page. Your name and the date you took the Quiz will be displayed automatically on the Certificate. Print the Certificate, sign it and attach to your building permit application. Keep a copy for any future permit applications.

The LSWP Certificate is valid for one year, so all you need to do is to attach a copy of the Certificate showing that you took the Quiz within the last 12 months. Please note that you will need to retake the Quiz if you do not have a copy of the Certificate or if your Certificate has expired.

Click on the following link: Prop. Tax Roll Search. Enter your parcel # and hit enter. Click on your parcel # and scroll to bottom of page. "Construction Year" is in "Property Characteristics" section at the bottom of the page. You can also get this information by calling the Assessor-Recorder's office at: (415) 499-6554.

The purpose of the Quiz is to educate residents on how to avoid creating lead hazards by following Lead-Safe Work Practices (LSWP). Therefore, the Quiz is designed in a way which allows users to go back and correct their answers if they have incorrect ones. In addition, users can learn more about LSWP by clicking on the ?help? buttons next to each question.

As stated above, the Quiz is available on the Internet and can be accessed from any computer with Internet connection. If you do not have a computer, you can go to the Civic Center Library and use the Library's computers to access the Quiz. A library card is needed to access the Library's computers. If you do not already have a card, the application is free and only takes a few minutes to complete. (You must have photo ID and proof of residence address.) Printing in the library costs $0.15 per page. Please have change available to pay for printing.

We encourage you to read the Environmental Protection Agency's pamphlet titled: Renovate Right

A conservatorship is a legal arrangement set up to protect and manage the personal or financial care – or both – of an individual who has been found by the court to be unable to manage his or her own affairs. The person that helps to manage the individual’s care is called a conservator, and the individual who requires assistance with the management of certain aspects of their care is called the conservatee. In California, there are two types of conservatorships:

• Probate Conservatorship
• LPS (Lanterman-Petris-Short) Conservatorship

A probate conservatorship provides a way to manage property and/or provide for the personal care needs of the adult disabled and the elderly. The establishment of a conservatorship restricts the conservatee’s powers over his or her own financial and/or personal care decisions.

Prospective probate cases are typically referred to the Public Guardian Office by Adult Protective Services or the Superior Court.

An LPS Conservatorship may be established to arrange behavioral health treatment or placement for those who are determined to be gravely disabled. LPS conservatorships are designed for persons who are gravely disabled, due to a chronic and persistent mental illness.

An LPS conservatorship may be of the person only, or of the person and estate. An LPS conservator of the person may arrange for the involuntary placement of his/her conservatee in a state hospital or psychiatric treatment facility.

The selection of a conservator is in the hands of the court, which is guided in its selection process by what appears to be in the best interest of the proposed conservatee. This means that a conservator may end up being a relative, friend, interested third party, organization or the Public Guardian.

In cases where a relative, friend, third party or organization is willing and qualified to act as a conservator, that person or representative of the organization is advised to contact an attorney for information and assistance in petitioning the court for appointment as the conservator.

If a relative, friend or interested third party or organization is willing to act as the conservator, the following steps are advised:

• Contact an attorney. (The Public Guardian cannot give legal advice or bring a petition for a conservatorship on behalf of a family member or friend.) The Marin County Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service that can assist in locating an attorney www.marinbar.org/resources/lawyer-referral-service.
• Formulate a care plan that addresses the personal care needs of food, clothing and shelter for the conservatee.
• Formulate a care plan for handling the conservatee's finances and protecting his or her assets.

1. The person chosen by the proposed conservatee, providing the proposed conservatee has the ability at the time that they choose a conservator to form an intelligent preference, unless the court finds that the appointment of the person chosen is not in the best interest of the proposed conservatee.
2. The spouse or person chosen by the spouse.
3. An adult child or person chosen by the adult child.
4. A parent or person chosen by the parent.
5. A brother or sister or person chosen by the brother or sister.
6. Any other eligible and appropriate person or entity.
7. The Public Guardian. (The Public Guardian is considered the last resort.)

The court will appoint the Public Guardian when no other qualified individual or entity is willing and able to act. The Public Guardian will act when he/she is assured through the conservatorship investigation process that:

• A need for a conservatorship does in fact exist and,
• All other resources including financial, in-home support services, private case management and family support have been exhausted. Visit the Marin HHS Community Resource Guide to find additional supportive resources.

Private parties cannot refer a person directly to the Public Guardian for an LPS Conservatorship. LPS referrals must come from psychiatric facilities approved by the Marin County Board of Supervisors.