Elder Affairs Secretary Richard Prudom Announces Chante’ Jones as Director of the Office of Public & Professional Guardians

TALLAHASSEE – Today, Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Richard Prudom announced the hiring of Ms. Chante’ Jones, Esq. as the Director of the Office of Public & Professional Guardians (OPPG). Ms. Jones earned her Juris Doctorate from Barry University and holds a master’s degree in Management Information Systems from Nova Southeastern University. She is a Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator and has more than 20 years of corporate and management experience having previously worked for Verizon Communications’ corporate office in Tampa. Ms. Jones has also volunteered as a Guardian ad Litem for the 13th circuit.

“I am proud to announce Ms. Chante’ Jones as the Director of the Office of Public & Professional Guardians,” said Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Richard Prudom. “In addition to her legal credentials, Ms. Jones brings more than 20 years of corporate and management experience to this position. She understands the importance of customer service and believes in accountability for the taxpayer. I am confident that under Chante’s strong leadership, the office will earn back the trust of Florida families and support the agency’s mission to promote the well-being, safety and independence of Florida’s seniors, their families and caregivers.”

The OPPG, housed within the Department of Elder Affairs, appoints local public guardian offices as directed by statute to provide guardianship services to persons who do not have adequate income or assets to afford a private guardian and there is no willing family or friend to serve. The OPPG, which contracts with 17 local Offices of Public Guardianship throughout Florida, is also responsible for educating, training, and registering all professional guardians as well as investigating and, if appropriate, disciplining guardians found in violation of laws and rules.

“Thank you Secretary Prudom for the honor to serve our elders and their caregivers and families,” said Chante’ Jones, Director of the Office of Public & Professional Guardians (OPPG). “I am ready for the challenge and believe it is our duty to be a voice for the voiceless. The OPPG has a critical mission and customer service must be our top priority. Those who turn to the OPPG are in a place in life that we all eventually get to and our customers deserve to be in the care of individuals who have their best intentions at heart. We will approach each case and assignment as efficiently as possible, take swift action when lives are potentially at risk and look for opportunities to improve our processes.”