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Franklin County approves $28,000 contract with Ohio Guidest after foster parent raises conflict-of-interest concerns
Summary
The Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution 30826 to contract with Ohio Guidest for $28,000 to provide supportive supervised visitation services for the family recovery court after licensed foster parent Paula Zafer questioned whether the provider’s foster‑care operations could create incentives that extend cases.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on May 19 approved a $28,000 contract with Ohio Guidest to provide supportive supervised visitation services for families involved with the county’s family recovery court.
Alex Coughlin, director of finance for the court, told the commissioners the services — previously called "therapeutic supervised visitation" — are intended to prepare and coach parents whose children are housed in the juvenile intervention center for eventual reunification. "It coaches, mentors, redirects, observes, assists and shares the strengths and weaknesses of the parent with the court in order for the parents to be successful and be able to handle the child's behaviors appropriately when they come home," Coughlin said.
During the public‑comment period, Paula Zafer, who identified herself as a licensed foster parent, asked whether Ohio Guidest — which she said operates licensed foster care — would be supervising visits or offering therapy to families where it also holds placements. "There is a financial structure that may incentivize somebody to drag on a case longer than is necessary," Zafer said, adding she could not find the full contract publicly before the vote.
Board members and staff responded that the supervised visitation work described was focused on coaching parents whose children are in the juvenile intervention center rather than placing children in foster care. Commissioners emphasized that additional questions could be raised during the county’s Thursday briefing sessions when staff have more time to provide documentation.
The commissioners moved, seconded and voted to adopt Resolution 30826. Voting on the resolution, Commissioner Boyce voted yes and Commissioner Grady voted yes; the minutes record the resolution as adopted.
The contract amount and service description were presented as part of the court’s request; a member of the public requested access to the full contract prior to approval, and staff said a records request would be required to obtain the full agreement after approval.
