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Guardianship Services Board asks Delaware County for budget support to maintain services for vulnerable adults
Summary
The Delaware County Guardianship Services Board told commissioners it serves dozens of high‑need adults and is seeking county funds to cover an operating shortfall, citing reductions in institutional stays and cost avoidance across county systems. Staff and finance clarified carryover and proposed transfers.
Eric Penkell, director and attorney for the Delaware County Guardianship Services Board, asked county commissioners on Nov. 19 to continue funding the board’s work, saying the program both protects vulnerable adults and reduces costs for the county.
“Our board prevents adults from falling into the most expensive parts of the system — hospitals, nursing homes, jails and shelters,” Penkell said during the presentation. He told commissioners the GSB currently serves 62 people and expects referrals to push caseload toward the mid‑60s to mid‑70s by early next year. Penkell said the board’s work is crisis driven and includes extensive face‑to‑face contact and after‑hours responses: he reported 607 face‑to‑face meetings, 201 after‑hours emergencies and numerous urgent safety calls in 2025.
Why it matters: Penkell argued that the GSB is a cost‑avoidance program. He cited examples in which guardianship stabilized clients on medication and community supports, reducing hospitalizations and jail involvement. He also noted that four of five client deaths in 2025 occurred in institutional settings where staff could ensure comfort and dignity.
Budget request and fiscal details: Penkell presented figures for next year’s budget and said part of the request would come from partner agencies; he noted a carryover cash balance and asked the commissioners to transfer funds from the general fund to close a projected shortfall. County finance director Justin confirmed the fund’s projected ending cash balance of about $69,498 and said the proposed county transfer would be sized to bring the fund to zero at year‑end. Penkell also said partner contributions and grants are being pursued, including requests to the mental health board, DD board and SourcePoint.
Commission questions focused on caseload and staffing. Commissioners pressed how many clients each social worker can manage and whether the board charges fees when clients have assets. Penkell said current social‑worker caseload targets are 25–30; the board plans to hire a social worker when active clients approach 75 and is exploring charging modest fees for the small number of clients with recoverable assets, with court input.
What’s next: Commissioners heard the request and discussed the technical carryover and transfer mechanics with finance staff. No formal vote or appropriation occurred at the Nov. 19 meeting. Penkell thanked the board and staff for their work and left the commissioners with the request for funding support.
