About us
A locally governed board serving vulnerable adults in eastern Idaho
We are neighbors, professionals, and volunteers from the counties we serve, accountable to the courts and to our community.
Our mission
The Upper Valley Community Board of Guardians works to protect the rights, dignity, safety, and well-being of vulnerable adults by providing responsible guardianship when no appropriate alternative guardian is available.
Our vision
A community where every vulnerable adult is treated with dignity, heard to the greatest extent possible, and supported in making choices about their own life.
How we work
Our guiding principles
- Dignity and respect
- Person-centered decision-making
- Least restrictive alternatives
- Individual choice and participation
- Safety and well-being
- Responsible stewardship
- Transparency and accountability
- Community collaboration
Our role
What a guardian does — and does not do
A guardian's responsibilities vary according to the court order. Responsibilities can include helping with medical, residential, safety, and personal decisions while protecting the individual's rights and encouraging the greatest possible independence.
Within a court order, a guardian may
- Make or support authorized medical and personal decisions
- Help decide where the person lives and how they stay safe
- Monitor services, care, and living arrangements
- Maintain regular contact and involve the person in decisions
- Keep required records and file reports with the court
Guardianship is not
- Direct caregiving
- Case management
- Legal representation
- Financial assistance
- Emergency response
- Representative payee or conservatorship services, unless specifically authorized
Leadership
Board of directors
Board profiles are editable. Photographs, names, roles, counties, and biographies will be published once confirmed.
[Board member name]
[Role]
[County represented]
[Short biography — to be added]
[Board member name]
[Role]
[County represented]
[Short biography — to be added]
[Board member name]
[Role]
[County represented]
[Short biography — to be added]
[Board member name]
[Role]
[County represented]
[Short biography — to be added]
Staff, contractors, and key volunteers: Editable placeholder: To be added
Accountability
Governance and transparency
The Upper Valley Board of Guardians is a five-county board — Teton, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, and Fremont — established by a Joint Powers Agreement among the participating counties. The board works within the court system under Idaho Code § 15-5-601 to provide court-appointed guardianship for individuals who need one.
The board is organized into two committees. The oversight committee is primarily responsible for appointing guardians and volunteer companions. Volunteer companions are intended to be the individuals who spend regular time with the people the board serves — which is why recruiting volunteers matters so much to our work.
The agreement was originally drafted for seven eastern Idaho counties. Clark County and Custer County chose not to participate, and the executed agreement was finalized among the five counties the board serves today. The agreement applies among whichever counties adopted it, regardless of the others. The Clerk of Teton County serves as the board’s fiscal agent.
The board operates under written bylaws, a conflict-of-interest policy, and confidentiality expectations for everyone who serves. Decisions about accepting a referral are made by the board, documented, and reviewed for conflicts.
Year the Joint Powers Agreement was adopted: Editable placeholder: To be confirmed
Annual reports and financial information: Editable placeholder: Documents to be posted
Community partners: Editable placeholder: Partner list to be confirmed
Counties served
- Jefferson County — Rigby
- Madison County — Rexburg
- Teton County — Driggs
- Fremont County — St. Anthony
- Lemhi County — Salmon