Bay County Awarded $500,000 Grant for Guardianship Diversion Project

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Bay County is proud to announce that the Bay County Department on Aging has been awarded a
$500,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to support the Guardianship
Diversion Project in Bay County. The grant was awarded on November 5, 2025, and will fund
critical work over a two-year period from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027.

The Bay County Department on Aging will serve as the administrator of the grant, ensuring
strategic oversight, fiscal accountability, and measurable outcomes. This initiative is designed to
reduce unnecessary guardianships by strengthening preventive, person-centered alternatives that
protect older adults’ autonomy while safeguarding them from financial exploitation and harm.
Judge Miner of the Bay County Probate Court, along with key community partners such as Legal
Services of Eastern Michigan, will collaborate closely to fulfill the grant’s requirements and
implement evidence-based practices. Through coordinated judicial, social service, and
community efforts, the project will focus on early intervention, informed decision-making, and
sustainable support systems for vulnerable older adults.

“This investment reflects a disciplined, data-informed approach to elder justice,” said the Bay
County Executive, Jim Barcia. “By aligning the court, community partners, and the Department
on Aging, we are building a smarter system—one that prevents crisis, preserves dignity, and
protects public trust.”

The Guardianship Diversion Project underscores Bay County’s commitment to innovation,
accountability, and the long-term well-being of its aging residents.

Bay County Department on Aging Director Beth Eurich can be reached at (989) 895-4100
or [email protected] for more information.