News & Updates

At Cares, we know strong communities are built when everyone’s rights, voices, and choices are respected. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce the new website for Rethinking Guardianship. This space is designed for families, self-advocates, professionals, and community members across North Carolina who are dedicated to supporting people in making their own decisions whenever possible.

This launch is timely. With recent updates to North Carolina’s guardianship law, G.S. 35A, anyone considering guardianship must now explore Less Restrictive Alternatives (LRAs) first. This means finding ways to support a person’s self-determination before petitioning the court to remove those rights. It’s a significant step forward in ensuring that people with disabilities, older adults, and others retain as much choice and control over their lives as possible.

Our new website embodies this spirit by offering tools, stories, and resources to help people understand these alternatives and navigate these decisions with compassion and respect.

Here’s what you’ll find:

• Plain language explanations of guardianship, Less Restrictive Alternatives, and Supported Decision-Making
• Resources for families, advocates, and professionals to use in their work and daily lives
• Stories from people with lived experience, because their wisdom drives this movement
• Updates on policies, laws, and advocacy efforts so you can stay connected to what’s happening in our state

Guardianship conversations aren’t easy, and they shouldn’t happen in isolation. This website is a tool for our entire community to learn, reflect, and work together toward a future where everyone’s rights are valued.

We hope you’ll visit, share it with your networks, and join us in rethinking what guardianship can and should look like in North Carolina.

In community,
The Cares Team