Planning ahead for your child
At Gowanda, our students’ safety and well-being are always our highest priority. To help families prepare for unexpected situations, we are sharing resources to help you consider creating a Family Preparation Plan.
A Family Preparation Plan can be helpful if circumstances ever prevent you from being immediately available to your child. While rare, these circumstances could include sudden illness or death, hospitalization, military deployment, arrest, deportation, natural disasters, or other emergencies.
Making a Family Preparation Plan is not required. It is entirely a family choice. Our goal is to provide information and resources for families who find it useful. By planning, you can give your child greater clarity and security, knowing who they can turn to and what steps will be taken if you are not available. We also encourage you to include your child in these conversations in an age-appropriate way.
Forms and what they do
Each option works differently. Read the summary to see which may fit your family, then open the form.
1. Designation of a Person in a Parental Relationship
NYS OCFS form 4940
- Not a legal guardianship form.
- Allows a trusted person to make educational and medical decisions for your child if you cannot.
- Does not involve child welfare investigations.
- Temporary (up to one year, renewable).
2. Designation of Standby Guardian
Surrogate’s Court · small filing fee required
- Establishes temporary guardianship without parents losing parental rights.
- Requires filing a petition and supporting documents with Surrogate’s Court before the “triggering event.”
- Guardianship begins once the event occurs.
3. Designation of Standby Guardian
Family Court · no filing fee
- Establishes temporary guardianship without parents losing parental rights.
- Petition must be filed and approved by Family Court before guardianship begins.
4. Power of Attorney
NYS Short Form
- Grants a person authority over property and financial matters (for example, bank accounts and assets needed for child care).
- Usually paired with a guardianship order.
- Becomes effective immediately upon signing, so use with care.
Need help?
Printed copies
If you cannot access these forms online, you may request printed copies from Kathy Ferneza, Secretary to the Superintendent, at (716) 532-3325 ext. 6300.
Office of New Americans
Additional support for new Americans is available through the NYS Office of New Americans at 1-800-566-7636, which can help connect families to resources during times of transition.
We share this information not to create worry, but to empower families with tools to make thoughtful decisions. Planning can provide peace of mind and help children feel secure, even in challenging circumstances.