Guardians receive court-ordered training

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Guardians of adults with mental illness, as well as developmental and physical disabilities, participated in state-mandated training Thursday in the First Federal Lecture Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.

Approximately 60 people attended the session, which is mandated by the Ohio Supreme Court’s new state policy targeted at providing a better quality of life for adults suffering from mental illness or who are unable to make sound decisions for themselves.

Van Wert County Probate Judge Kevin Taylor, whose staff hosted the training event, said the training was for court-appointed guardians of those people 18 and over who are considered mentally impaired, including older adults with dementia, and provided information on how to become a guardian and what their responsibilities are.

“It reinforces that a guardian should not make any expenditures that has not been approved by the court,” Judge Taylor said.

The amended regulations adopted by the Ohio Supreme Court provide changes to existing rules for court-appointed guardians, including applying guardianship regulations to family members, requiring courts to monitor a roster of guardians with 10 or more wards, and requiring guardians to meet with wards on a quarterly basis.

Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor said the new amendments meet the standards set by the National Guardianship Association.

“The ultimate goal is to provide our probate courts with effective means to ensure the safety and well-being of people who need our protection,” Justice O’Connor said.

As part of the new regulations, court-appointed guardians must attend a minimum of six hours of training, as well as a three-hour course every year. The training includes information on the legalities of establishing a guardianship, guardians’ ongoing duties and responsibilities, record keeping and reporting duties and other topics related to improving the life of a ward.

Local attorneys who have been appointed by Van Wert County Probate Court as guardians of mentally impaired adults also underwent training today.