Adult guardianship to be topic of session

WINTERSVILLE — Adult guardianship is the focus of an informational session this Monday to benefit families of people with disabilities.

Special Connections and the Arc of Ohio are teaming up for the meeting at 6 p.m. at Crossroads Christian Church in Wintersville. The event will feature Jefferson County Common Pleas Probate and Juvenile Judge Frank Noble, who will address guardianship of adult loved ones with special needs.

Special Connections, which is a collaboration between the Special Needs Parents of the Ohio Valley Facebook Page, Crossroads Christian Church and the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, has provided activities for children and adults with disabilities and information to improve their quality of life while Arc of Ohio, which stands for Advocates for the Rights of Citizens, helps those with intellectual or developmental disabilities from birth through senior citizens. Arc advocates for human rights, personal dignity and common participation of people with IDD through legislative or social action, information and education, local chapter support and family involvement.

The groups joined forces last summer to provide speakers on important subjects impacting that population.

Special Connections representative Mindy Aleksiejczyk said a different subject has been discussed each month to spread the word about available services and help the people and families they serve.

Judge Noble will discuss guardianship of adult individuals with disabilities. He will provide information to local families about when to start the process and how it works,” Aleksiejczyk said. “This is a very important topic to cover because many families do not have information on the process of obtaining guardianship of their loved ones.”

She added that it was important to make a connection with the community and give parents and caretakers resources to benefit those in their care. About 15-20 families normally attend the sessions and the church will also provide a young adult hangout for individuals to socialize.

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Adult guardianship to be topic of session