COURT ANGEL A Stark County Probate Court Volunteer Program

A guardian is an individual appointed by the Probate Court to protect, make decisions for, and act for a person with physical or mental disabilities. The person who needs a guardian is known as a ward. The purpose of the Court Angel Visitor Program is to provide the Court with a way to obtain current information about the wards and to verify that each is receiving good care. This information will assist the Court in making recommendations or orders for improvements, if necessary.

The Court Angel: • Visits the ward's residence, observes conditions, and talks with the ward about his or her needs • Talks to the guardian and any other caregivers. • Uses a standard reporting form to record observations and make any recommendations. • The visit may uncover specific needs, for example: • The ward mentions that it has been well over a year since the last medical examination. • The guardian is an elderly parent who is now too frail to care for her mentally retarded adult child.

Court Angel Qualifications: • Good listening and communication skills, friendliness, and common sense. • Willingness to use a standard case reporting form. • Desire to see that persons with serious mental or physical disabilities receive good care.

Training and Support: • Covers the guardianship process, ward's rights, communicating with wards, what to look for on visits, and available community resources. • Court Angels are provided support by the Probate Court staff. • Follow-up training and quarterly meetings.

Time and Place: • Suggested minimum time is one day per month. • Court Angels pick up their assigned cases at the Court. • Court Angels are encouraged to visit wards throughout Stark County. • Court Angels may request different cases based upon location or if they feel other factors make the visit too difficult to complete.

Would you like to volunteer? Please fill out the enclosed application and release and mail to: Judge Dixie Park Stark County Probate Court Court Angel Volunteer Program 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 501 Canton, Ohio 44702

For more information, please call Stark County Probate Court at 330-451-7752.

Court Angel A Stark County Probate Court Volunteer Program COURT ANGEL VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM Stark County Probate Court

Name Address City _ State Zip Phone Today’s Date Email

Why are you interested in becoming a Court Angel Volunteer?

In what kinds of volunteer activities have you been active or are currently active? None

Organization Position Dates

What kinds of life experiences (if any) have you had which relate to this volunteer position? (e.g. Care of an elderly relative or friend)

Are you currently: Retired Seeking Employment Employed Part-Time

Primary occupation/profession:

Please describe your employment history:

Name of Employer Position Dates of Employment

Please check the highest educational level completed:

High School Some College or technical training College Advanced Degree

Please list any education or courses (if any) which are specifically related to this volunteer position:

Court Angel A Stark County Probate Court Volunteer Program COURT ANGEL VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM Stark County Probate Court

Please list two references (non-relatives) who could comment on your ability to do this job:

Name Relationship to you Phone Number

What form of transportation do you usually use? (Guardian Visitors must be able to drive themselves to cases)

My own car Rely on others Use Public Transportation

Name of Insurance Carrier Policy #

Please feel free to share, in the space below, any additional information you would like the Court to consider. ______

Signature Date Due to the sensitive nature of this position, the Court may do a records check on qualified applicants.

Return to: Judge Dixie Park Stark County Probate Court Court Angel Volunteer Program 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 501 Canton, Ohio 44702

Court Angel A Stark County Probate Court Volunteer Program RELEASE FOR CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK Stark County Probate Court

I understand that, as a result of making an application to serve as a Court Angel Volunteer with the Stark County Probate Court, I am hereby authorizing and requesting the Probate Court, its agents and authorized employees, to make any and all examinations of my criminal record, and I hereby release any police or law enforcement agency, and all individuals connected therewith, from all liability in providing such information.

DATED

Printed Name

Signature

Social Security Number