STATE OF CONNECTICUT
PAUL J. KNIERIM |
OFFICE OF THE |
186 NEWINGTON ROAD |
Probate Court Administrator |
PROBATE COURT ADMINISTRATOR |
WEST HARTFORD, CT 06110 |
THOMAS E. GAFFEY |
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Chief Counsel |
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TEL (860) 231-2442 |
HELEN B. BENNET |
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FAX (860) 231-1055 |
Attorney |
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ctprobate.gov |
HEATHER L. DOSTALER |
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Attorney |
MEMORANDUM
To: High Volume Conservators
From: Paul J. Knierim
Probate Court Administrator
RE: Contract Conservator Program
Date: May 25, 2016
As you may be aware, the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee has approved revisions to Probate Court Regulation section 16, which governs the compensation of conservators for indigent individuals. The revised rates and rules are effective July 1, 2016.
This memorandum is to inform you that we are initiating a new Contract Conservator Program as an alternative to the compensation provided under Regulation 16. The Contract Conservator Program is authorized under section 16.9. We are limiting eligibility for the program to conservators who are presently serving 40 or more indigent conserved persons.
The following is a summary of the key elements of the Contract Conservator Program:
- Eligibility
- Individuals and organizations
- Minimum 40 current conservatorship appointments
- Contractor specifies Probate Courts from which appointments will be accepted and maximum number of appointments; must accept all appointments within those parameters
- Compensation
- Flat rate of $86 per month per client for service as conservator of person, estate or both
- Additional one-time flat fee of $1,250 to handle Title XIX application
- Rates apply to all of Contractor’s appointments for indigent individuals
- Quality Control Requirements:
- Adherence to National Guardianship Association Standards of Practice
- Background screening for caseworkers
- 24-7 caseworker availability
- 3 hours annual continuing education
- General and professional liability insurance
- Term
- July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017
- Automatic annual renewals
The contract conservator program aims to improve efficiency by replacing hourly rate billing with a simple flat fee alternative. We are limiting the program to high volume conservators on the theory that the flat fee will yield reasonable compensation, despite variation in the complexity of individual cases, for those who have a varied caseload.
Participation in the Contract Conservator Program is voluntary. Conservators who opt into the program are compensated under the terms of the agreement for all appointments on behalf of indigent individuals. Contract conservators are not eligible for the hourly rate compensation provided under Regulation 16.
The form agreement for participation in the contract conservator program is attached for your review.
Please note that we will be executing the agreements for the program by electronic means. If you wish to participate in the program, please contact Attorney Heather Dostaler (860-231-2442 ext. 321 or hdostaler@ctprobate.gov). Heather will send you an electronic version of the agreement, together with instructions for executing it.
The deadline for submission of fully executed agreements is June 30, 2016.
Please feel free to contact me (860-231-2442 ext. 315 or pknierim@ctprobate.gov) or Heather Dostaler with any questions.
I am grateful for your service to the Probate Courts and the individuals who need conservators. Thank you for considering participation in this new program.