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The Michigan Guardianship Diversion Project (MGDP) seeks to empower older adults and individuals with disabilities by connecting them to community services, public benefits, and legal resources that can help them remain independent. While guardianship is an important tool to protect vulnerable adults where there is no other option, it can be used too often, too broadly, and without recognizing the individual’s abilities, needs, and preferences. By utilizing less restrictive alternatives, individuals can often get the help they need while preserving their cherished right to make decisions for themselves.
With generous funding from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, the MGDP is a two-year pilot project in the probate courts in Bay County, Genesee County, Grand Traverse County, and Muskegon County. Working closely with the courts and community partners in each county, the MGDP:
Troubleshoots cases with community agencies and institutions in which an alternative to guardianship may exist.
Offers training to stakeholders in the guardianship process in the four counties and across the state about less restrictive alternatives to guardianship.
Analyzes data in the four courts to assess the efficacy of the pilot project.
Speaks directly to those filing guardianship petitions and the respondents in those cases to assess the strengths and needs of individuals, identifies services and resources that may eliminate the need for guardianship, and conducts warm hand-offs to community agencies that can help individuals avoid guardianship.
Creates simple, easy-to-understand materials for consumers about common concerns that lead to guardianship and alternate strategies to assist individuals in those situations.
Collaborates with judges, court staff, guardians ad litem, and attorneys to reduce unnecessary guardianships.
Creates toolkits and materials to assist other courts in replicating the project.
For more information, contact MGDP at 517-827-8010, ext 7 or MGDP@meji.org.