Serving eastern Idaho
Protecting dignity. Supporting informed decisions. Serving our community.
The Upper Valley Community Board of Guardians provides court-appointed guardianship support for eligible vulnerable adults in Jefferson, Madison, Teton, Fremont, and Lemhi counties when no appropriate individual is available to serve.
Submitting a referral does not guarantee acceptance or appointment. Guardians are appointed through the court process.
Who we serve
Adults who need a guardian and have no one appropriate to serve
Each situation is reviewed individually. The board may serve adults who meet criteria such as these:
- Cannot adequately make or communicate certain important decisions
- May be at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or serious harm
- Do not have an appropriate family member, friend, or other qualified person available
- Reside within one of the five counties we serve
- Have needs that fall within the board's purpose, legal authority, capacity, and available resources
Guardianship is a last resort
Guardianship should be considered only after less restrictive alternatives — such as supported decision-making, powers of attorney, advance directives, or community supports — have been explored.
Service area
Counties we serve
The board serves five counties in eastern Idaho. Referrals for individuals outside these counties cannot be accepted.
Jefferson County
County seat: Rigby
Farm communities along the Snake River plain, served through local courts, hospitals, and senior services.
Madison County
County seat: Rexburg
A growing regional hub with hospital, university, and behavioral health partners.
Teton County
County seat: Driggs
Mountain valley communities where distance and seasonal access can affect care coordination.
Fremont County
County seat: St. Anthony
Rural communities from Ashton to Island Park with limited local guardianship options.
Lemhi County
County seat: Salmon
Remote river-valley communities where an available, appropriate guardian is often hard to find.
Service-area map
The five counties the board serves, shown with their actual county borders.
What to expect
How the process works
Every referral follows the same careful path. The court, not the board, makes the final decision.
- 1
Referral submitted
A family member, professional, or community member shares what they know about the individual's situation.
- 2
Initial eligibility and information review
We confirm county of residence, adult status, and whether the concern falls within our purpose and legal authority.
- 3
Available alternatives and needs considered
We look at less restrictive alternatives and whether an appropriate family member, friend, or other person could serve.
- 4
Board determines whether it can accept the case
The board weighs capacity, conflicts of interest, funding, and the individual's circumstances before deciding.
- 5
Court considers and determines any appointment
Any guardianship is established, defined, and ordered by the appropriate Idaho court — not by the board.
Get involved
Ways to help
This work depends on neighbors who are willing to show up for vulnerable adults in our counties.
Volunteer
Offer friendly visits, help with activities, or support administrative projects.
Learn more about volunteerServe on the Board
Bring sound judgment and community perspective to guardianship decisions.
Learn more about serve on the boardBecome a Community Partner
Collaborate as a hospital, provider, court, faith community, or business.
Learn more about become a community partnerShare Professional Expertise
Contribute legal, medical, financial, or nonprofit experience.
Learn more about share professional expertise
Our work
Impact at a glance
These figures are editable placeholders. We publish only numbers we can verify.
- Individuals currently supported
- [ — ]
- Counties served
- 5
- Volunteer hours
- [ — ]
- Community partners
- [ — ]
Know someone who may need a guardian?
Share what you know. We will review the referral and follow up if we need more information.