Commission hears update on guardianship clinic to help relatives obtain custody orders

A court representative told the Harrison County Blue Ribbon Commission about a guardianship clinic meant to help relatives obtain custody orders so children can enroll in school and access medical services.

The presenter said the clinic, run in partnership with Catholic Charities, screens families for indigency and schedules them for a Chancery court date where relatives are interviewed and, when appropriate, issued custody orders. The presenter said the next clinic is scheduled for Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. upstairs in Chancery and that staff will circulate the applications and relevant records in advance for staffing. The clinic’s organizers said most cases handled in the clinic have a CPS history — the presenter estimated roughly 85% — and that the process is designed for relatives who cannot otherwise afford private counsel.

Commission members said the program addresses a recurring local problem: relatives raising children who lack custody paperwork and therefore cannot obtain school enrollment or medical benefits. Members noted guardians often have very limited household income; the presenter gave a sample application showing a household income of roughly $31,000 and multiple children in the home. Commissioners invited members to observe the Feb. 20 clinic and asked staff to circulate clinic applications and scheduling information via email.

What’s next: staff will send clinic applications to commissioners and publicize the Feb. 20 Chancery clinic; commission members were invited to attend the staffing and court sessions.