ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A staffing crisis in the state agency that provides guardianship services for some of the most vulnerable Alaskans means it can no longer accept new cases, agency
An agency director says they could face “numerous negligence lawsuits” if they take on more cases. Public guardians are responding for ensuring hundreds of mentally ill Alaskans get housing and medical services.
The state’s Office of Public Advocacy is required to provide guardianship services for vulnerable adults, but recent turnover has increased workloads to approximately 1,600 cases per staff member. The agency wants it down to 60 each.