ELDERLY CARE Coordinator's pact extended

The judge says the program is a model for the state.
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners have extended the contract of a woman who coordinates guardianship services for the elderly and incapacitated.
Commissioners agreed Wednesday with a request by Probate Judge Thomas Swift to approve the one-year extension for Cynthia J. Buckner-Miklus, 6740 Stewart-Sharon Road, Brookfield. She will be paid $20 an hour, up to a maximum of $20,800 for the year.
Commissioners had contracted with her Sept. 9, 2004, to coordinate and provide oversight of guardianship services for the court through the Trumbull Advocacy and Protective Network. Wednesday's action continues that arrangement.
The money comes from probate court grant and court funds. No general fund money is involved.
The network coordinates several agencies that assist older adults in need of mental health or other resources.
Participating agencies
Among the participating Trumbull County agencies are Job and Family Services, Adult Protective Services, District XI Area Agency on Aging, Trumbull Lifelines, SCOPE and the Fairhaven program (Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities).
Judge Swift said often cases need to be handled by more than one agency. He said the network makes sure the agencies are talking among themselves.
Keeping the program alive for the future, however, will probably depend on outside dollars, Judge Swift noted. He said the involved agencies are seeking funds from the state Attorney General's office and Department of Aging.
He was optimistic about future funding.
"This is the model for the state that we've developed for Trumbull County," Judge Swift said. "It's working, it's working well."