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Probate magistrate seeks $20,000 from commissioners to fund county guardianship pilot
Summary
Probate Court Magistrate Tom Dusza told commissioners Erie County has 464 people under guardianship and proposed contracting Ohio Network for Innovation to provide about 30 professional guardians in year one at an estimated $200,000; Dusza asked the Board to cover a $20,000 gap after other commitments.
Probate Court Magistrate Tom Dusza told the Erie County Commissioners on June 29 that the county faces a growing shortage of qualified adult guardians and proposed contracting with Ohio Network for Innovation (ONI) to provide professional guardianship services.
"There are currently 464 individuals under guardianship in the County," Dusza said, describing pressure on local capacity. He said two local attorneys currently handle indigent guardianship caseloads of about 30 each and both plan to retire within one to two years, prompting the search for an outside provider.
Dusza said the first year of the program would provide approximately 30 professional guardians at a total cost of $200,000, with funding commitments of $100,000 from the ADAMHS Board, $50,000 from Catholic Charities and $30,000 from an Assisted Outpatient Treatment grant. He requested the Commissioners provide the remaining $20,000 for the first year.
Dusza described certification requirements and compensation: certification requires a six-hour training course and guardians may be compensated at the Probate Court filing fee rate of $50.00 per hour. He suggested the county budget a backstop for 2027 so unused funds can be returned if not spent.
Commissioners expressed no objection to Dusza including a backstop budget request for 2027 and to moving forward with using ONI to provide professional guardianship services. Dusza said Probate Court maintains working relationships with the ADAMHS Board, the AOT program and the Erie County Sheriff's Office.
