The Central Oregon Guardian Assistance Program (COGAP) was established as a non-profit organization in August of 2023 in Bend, Oregon. COGAP provides pro bono and low-cost guardianship services to Central Oregonians with limited means who are incapacitated and unable to make medical, housing, and financial decisions for themselves. Often these individuals may be unhoused, dealing with learning or cognitive disabilities, mental illness, acute medical needs, dementia, or Alzheimer’s Disease and/or substance abuse disorders.
OnPoint Community Credit Union’s generous support to COGAP’s Enhancement Fund will allow COGAP to purchase items or services that will enhance the lives of the people for whom COGAP serves as guardians (referred to as Protected Persons). Such items include personal hygiene products, mobility aids, clothing, bedding, hats and gloves and medical supplies not covered by insurance. In this regard, COGAP has put together welcoming support baskets each Protected Person receives upon his or her transition to a care facility. The contents of the baskets are gender and seasonally specific. For example, a support bag for a male Protected Person during the winter would include, among other essential items, a razor, gloves, a hat, and warm socks. A support bag for a female Protected Person during the summer would include sanitary products and sunscreen.
COGAP is currently supported by St. Charles Health System, Deschutes County, Horner Law, LLP, and the Central Oregon Health Council. COGAP’s initial funding came from Deschutes County, St. Charles Medical Center Foundation, and the Central Oregon Health Council. For more information about the Central Oregon Guardian Assistance Program, visit www.co-gap.com.
