Spokane County guardianship monitoring program celebrates 25 years of protecting vulnerable residents

by Alexandra Coenjaerts

SPOKANE, Wash. — A program dedicated to protecting some of Spokane County's most vulnerable residents celebrated a significant milestone this week, marking 25 years of safeguarding people who need a guardian or conservator.

The Guardianship Monitoring Program, operated by Spokane County Superior Court, ensures that vulnerable community members don't slip through the cracks of the legal system. The initiative combines volunteers and court staff to support judges by monitoring cases involving individuals under legal guardianships.

In Spokane County alone, more than 2,200 people fall under legal guardianship or conservatorship. These individuals often include elderly relatives with dementia or those facing mental health challenges that come with aging.

"It could be an elderly relative who has dementia, or they're mental issues that come with old age," said Judge Rachelle Anderson of Spokane County Superior Court.

The program originated from a gap court officials identified in the oversight system for vulnerable individuals. Former Superior Court Judge Kathleen O'Connor helped establish the program and worked on it from inception through her retirement.

"It was it was a special interest to me. I mean, I had a lot of other things I was doing, but it was a special interest in mine," O'Connor said. She explained that the program emerged after the court noticed insufficient oversight for these individuals. While the state didn't provide initial funding, the Spokane County Commissioners stepped in to support the initiative.

The monitoring program serves as a crucial safeguard to prevent anyone from taking advantage of vulnerable individuals under court protection.

"The goal is to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens who are in need of assistance are protected to the greatest extent of the law," Anderson said.

Over the past quarter-century, the program has evolved beyond its original monitoring scope. What began as a oversight system now provides training and resources for family members and friends who have relatives in need of guardianship.

"We can also help nonprofessional guardians, relatives, friends, with training, with a resource they know. If they have a question, they can talk to our guardianship monitoring program," O'Connor explained.

Professional guardians also benefit from the program's organizational structure. Kelly Moore, a professional guardian, praised the program's ability to track cases and ensure compliance.

"They help organize who is where, who is turning in their things on time. So cases that have not been followed for years don't slip by," Moore said.

Despite its success, the Guardianship Monitoring Program faces staffing challenges. The program currently operates with just five volunteers, and court officials say more help is needed to adequately oversee cases.

You can find more information on the program and how to get involved here. 

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Spokane County guardianship monitoring program celebrates 25 years of protecting vulnerable residents