Commissioners approve Mission Health grant to fund Guardianship Diversion Project

The Bay County Board of Commissioners voted Dec. 9, 2025, to accept a Mission Health Endowment Fund grant to support a Guardianship Diversion Project aimed at reducing unnecessary guardianships among people 60 and older.

Commissioner Begay asked the Department on Aging director (referred to in the meeting as Beth) to explain the program. Beth said the Guardianship Diversion Program was started by the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative for four counties and “what it is, it's a guardianship for those 60 years and older, where guardianship is not needed,” adding the program helps identify alternatives such as powers of attorney, waivers or other services so guardianship is used only when necessary. Beth said prior implementations reduced guardianship filings brought to probate court by 42%.

Beth described how the program will operate: a lawyer through Legal Services of Eastern Michigan will assist with case preparation and a social worker will help develop alternatives; if a case requires formal guardianship it will still be handled by a probate court lawyer. The board moved, supported and approved acceptance of the Mission Health grant; staff will coordinate implementation with Legal Services of Eastern Michigan and the probate court.

The board did not provide an exact grant dollar amount in the meeting record; the agenda entry identified the funding source and program but did not specify sums. The county's next steps include setting up program operations and reporting back to the board as implementation proceeds.