QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES & GUARDIANS
O.S. Title 30 Section 4-104, 4-105 sets forth the requirements for guardians which DDSD is using as criteria for volunteer advocates and guardians, along with additional stipulations:

1. Volunteer is not a minor
2. Volunteer is not incapacitated or partially incapacitated
3. Volunteer is not a convicted felon (except upon further review by the court into the nature of the felony and only with court approval)
4. Volunteer is not under any financial obligation to the proposed ward/consumer
5. There is no conflict of interest which would preclude or be substantially detrimental to the ability of the person to act in the best interest of the proposed ward/consumer
6. Volunteer must be a resident of the state of Oklahoma for at least one year
7. Volunteer supports the philosophy and values consistent with the DDSD mission statement.

DDSD supports the recruitment of volunteer advocates and guardians from outside of the service delivery system. The intent is to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

The following reflects DDSD’s stance regarding persons associated with the service delivery system:

Volunteer Guardians

The following individuals are excluded from serving as volunteer guardians:

1. DHS employees
2. DDSD contract providers, e.g. residential, vocational, psychology, speech therapy, occupational therapy, foster parents, etc.
3. Employees of contract providers
4. Immediate family members of contract providers, where it is shown that financial interdependence exists

Volunteer Advocates

The listed individuals may serve as a volunteer advocate if:

1. An on-going relationship exists with the consumer
2. They are not providing direct services to the consumer
3. DHS employees
4. DDSD contract providers
5. Employees of contract providers