The Fairfield County Guardianship Service Board was created by the enactment of R.C.2111.52, effective March 22, 2019. Pursuant to statute the Board consists of three (3) members, one of whom is appointed by each of the following persons and entities: the Probate Judge of Fairfield County, the Board of Directors of the Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Board of Directors of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Board of Fairfield County.
The Board was created to administer a guardianship program serving mentally incompetent wards of Fairfield County through appointments by the Probate Judge.
The Fairfield County Guardianship Service Board will be appointed guardian and will administer guardianship services through utilization of Case Managers.
INTAKE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:- Receive referrals from Probate Court/Service Providers and input data and communications into case management system.
- Contact all referring parties; keep constant communication during intake process to verify eligibility and to obtain all necessary information.
- Complete thorough next-of-kin search to identify family members who may be willing to serve as guardian.
- Educate family and other supports about guardianship.
- Ensure all documentation is completed and prepared for filings with Probate Court.
- Communicate with Court-appointed attorneys.
- Prepare for and attend guardianship hearings with Court-appointed attorney.
- Visit clients face-to-face in the community for initial introductory contact.
- Document all communications into case management system.
- Complete all procedural filings and submit to Probate Court as needed.
- Complete other tasks as directed by supervisor.
ONGOING DUTIES:- Complete biopsychosocial assessments to identify potential client needs, client preferences, cultural and religious views, views on death, and to ascertain any other existing supports involved in the client’s life.
- Develop care plans to identify services and other supports that would benefit the client.
- Refer clients to appropriate treatment and service providers.
- Act as contact point for medical providers.
- Process forms quickly, assist with hospital discharges, and work with client’s acute needs.
- Collaborate with community agencies, including outpatient mental health providers, Developmental Disabilities (DD) providers, nursing facilities, and hospitals to assist with care coordination.
- Visit clients at a minimum quarterly; more frequent visits may be necessary based upon acuity of case.
- Prepare Court reports in a timely manner to remain in compliance with Probate Court rules.
- Effectively communicate with families and other social supports involved with clients.
- Work closely with representatives of the Fairfield County Probate Court.
- Participate in training, consultation, and activities that enhance the Board, its mission, and individual professional development.
- Provide community support and education to the public.
- Work with and network with other professionals in the area of guardianship.
- Meet regularly with the Coordinator to review the caseload and consult on day-to-day and major life decisions regarding clients.
- Make consent decisions as a designee of the Board in accordance with internal policy.
- Provide on-call availability; on-call rotation sign-up by week on a quarterly basis
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Coordinator or the Board.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: - A Bachelor’s degree
- Excellent customer service skills
- Familiarity with Court procedures
- Experience having worked with executive level staff
- Experience working with populations served by the Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Board of Fairfield County, the Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities, or the Probate Court of Fairfield County
- Social Work experience
- Working knowledge of local or regional treatment and service providers
- Experience working with the Probate Court of Fairfield County in the area of guardianship
- Experience with hospitals, nursing facilities, or other healthcare settings
- Experience working with developmentally disabled individuals, individuals with substance abuse or issues involving decreased mental capacity
- Experience in working with and collaborating with other agencies in the provision of care (e.g., physicians, housekeeping, travel, personal hygiene, law enforcement, mental health agencies, adult day care, recreation, attorneys, dentists, etc.)
BOARD EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEE:In completing the duties and responsibilities of the position, the Board expects that the employee will adhere to all Board policies, guidelines, practices and procedures; act as a role model; perform duties as workload necessitates in a timely, accurate and thorough manner, and communicate regularly with the Director regarding department issues.
AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT:Employees of the Board are at-will employees and serve at the pleasure of the Board. Employees are not in the classified civil service system and are not members of bargaining units. The Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, religion, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, military status, or genetic information.
Job description and schedule are subject to change at the discretion of the Court.
