Who are the GaLs and what do they do?

• GaL Volunteer Job Description
• Activities of the GaL
• Qualifications of a GaL
• How to Become a GaL
• Training and Supervision of the GaLs
• Meet a few of the GaLs
• FAQs

The Guardians ad Litem who volunteer in the 5th Judicial District:

Who are we?  Ordinary people from a variety of backgrounds, careers, and life experiences.  Many of us are retired.  A quarter are men.  Every one of us feels that we can make a difference in the life of a child.  Currently there are some 150 GaLs working on behalf of the 600+ foster care children in New Hanover and Pender Counties.   Training for new GaLs is offered monthly and 27 volunteers were trained between September 2006 and February 2007.

What we do matters.  Guardians impact the outcome of the legal proceedings:  Kids are adopted, relatives are found that can take the children, programs are found to help a child with his/or her special needs, tutors are provided, help for mom or dad can sometimes improve the home situation so that the kids can go home again. 

The Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Job Description:

A Guardian ad Litem (GaL) is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by a district court judge to investigate and determine the needs of abused and neglected children petitioned into the court system by the Department of Social Services (DSS). The GaL makes independent recommendations to the court for services, which focus on the needs of each child. The GaL advocates for a permanent and safe home for every child within the shortest time possible.

Activities of the Guardian ad Litem

• Visits the child and keeps the child informed about the court proceedings.
• Communicates with the Attorney Advocate to develop legal strategies to further the best interests of the child client.
• Gathers and assesses independent information on a consistent basis about the child to recommend a resolution that is in the child’s best interest.
• Interviews the parents, guardians, caretakers, social workers and other service providers and reads records related to the family.
• Seeks cooperative solutions with other participants in the child’s case.
• Writes fact-based, child-focused reports for court hearings.
• Attends and participates in court hearings and other related meetings to advocate for a permanent plan which serves the child’s best interest.
• Testifies, if needed, to inform the court of changes in the child’s situation.
• Ensures that the court knows the child’s wishes.
• Keeps all records and information confidential.
• Monitors court-ordered services and keeps the court informed about the needs of the child.
• Consults with local program staff for support and guidance.

Qualifications of a GaL

The main qualifications are a sincere concern for the well-being of children and a continuing commitment to advocate for a child until a safe and permanent home is obtained. The volunteer must also be a mature adult of sound character with good verbal and written communication skills. A GaL must be objective and non-judgmental and be able to interact with people of various educational, economic and ethnic backgrounds.

How to become a GaL

The process of becoming a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer requres a written application, three personal/professional references and a criminal record check. A staff member will conduct a personal interview. A volunteer must complete 30 hours of required training. The Volunteer will be sworn in by a district court judge before assignment of his or her first case. The GaL Volunteer will commit to at least four hours per month on appointed cases.

Training and Supervision of the GaLs

The North Carolina Volunteer Guardian ad Litem training curriculum is taught by certified and experienced GaL trainers or staff. Volunteers also receive continuing education on advocacy issues. GaL Volunteers are supervised by the program staff.

 

Meet a few of the Guardians

Kaye Dickey - "I Love the Courtroom"

Kaye’s motto:  “Never take no for an answer and never stand behind a closed door.”  In other words, you have to be persistent and do whatever you need to do for the best interests of your child.

 

Forty years as a legal secretary and private investigator gave Kaye Dickey the skills and enthusiasm she brings to her work as a Guardian ad Litem.   “I love the courtroom,” she enthuses.  

Kaye started her GAL volunteer work in Richmond County 15 years ago and has been a well-known advocate for children in the Pender County courthouse for these past eleven years.

Kaye likes working in Pender because, as a small rural county, there’s a camaraderie amongst the GALs and with the attorneys and judges.  The downside is that Pender does not have the resources many of theseparents and children need.  They have to drive into Wilmington to find parenting classes, counseling or rehab services.”

What changes has Kaye seen in her eleven years in Pender?  “Well, there is as much neglect and sexual abuse as ever,” she says.  “But we are seeing more cocaine now where before marijuana and alcohol were the drugs most commonly abused.”

The biggest change she’s seen, however, is in the judicial system and politics of Pender.  “Because of a growing number of successful appeals over the past two or three years, judges today are hesitant to rule as boldly as before.” 

“It is harder now to terminate parental rights.  Attorneys want an appeal win on their record and judges don’t want their rulings to be appealed - so where does that leave the children?”

Kaye has learned a few lessons along the way:  “If a parent truly wants his or her kids back, you’ll know it in the first three month”, she says.  “On the other hand, if parents are cooperative, I love helping them do what they need to do to get their family back; like getting a GED, finding housing, getting away from an abusive situation.”

Her dream for Pender County is the establishment of a home where mothers and their small children could stay for six months to get the parenting skills, resources and support they need to successfully launch themselves back into a safe and nurturing life together.

 

 

Judy Neblett - "What We Do Matters"

Judy Neblett has been a Guardian ad Litem for fifteen years and has stayed with it because “GALs really do make a difference.  Maybe it is a small difference.  Perhaps it is intangible or doesn’t become visible for years, but what we do matters.” 

Judy took on one girl at age four and was her GAL until she turned 18.  It was a rough fourteen years for them both and they parted on not the best terms.  But a few weeks ago Judy went to the childcare center to pick up her grandchild and discovered that her old client was working there.  They hugged.  The girl now has a job, an apartment, is happy, and is grateful to Judy for her years of support.

Before moving to Wilmington Judy lived in Atlanta for twenty-two years and did volunteer work with children in the juvenile detention system and with a poverty rights group.  She was looking for a similar volunteer opportunity here when she heard about the Guardian ad Litem program from a friend.   She’s never looked back.

What changes has Judy seen during her years as a GAL?  “Well, for one, DSS is more creative with the cases now than inthe old days and I have learned a lot from my social workers.”

“Second, we have so many cases in court now that I applaud the recent change to two court days.  It’s a great idea.”

On a less positive note, Judy is discouraged by the caliber of the mental health care available to children and families in New Hanover County.  She blames this on the failure of mental health system reforms and the low Medicaid payment rates.

 “These families and children need good care and it is just not there,” she explains.  “The mental health situation is appalling.”

“My favorite part of being a GAL is the investigation phase, when you try to get to know all the people involved with the child and how they relate to the child.  The reports we get at the beginning of the case are just the tip of the iceberg,” says Judy. “Once you get all the background information, you can better determine what truly is in the best interest of the child.”

 

 

Glancy Thomas Honored –
Guardian ad Litem for Five Years

“It’s hard to believe it’s been five years. Time sure does pass quickly when you enjoy what you’re doing.”

And what Glancy Thomas does is advocate for children – abused, neglected or abandoned – who find themselves in the judicial system and in foster care. On Friday night, October 27, 2006, at the Guardian ad Litem Association annual meeting, Glancy was honored for her five years as a volunteer Guardian.

“I got involved with the Guardian ad Litem program because many families do not understand the judicial system. They see it as a negative force that breaks up families. What they don’t understand is how to access the system and get the services they need to keep families intact and children safe. I try to bridge that gap in people’s understanding and help them use the system to improve the lives of their children.”

Growing up in Montgomery Alabama, Glancy learned about volunteering and community service from her mother who was a mediator and the person everyone looked to for help in her neighborhood. “They didn’t call it volunteering in those days,” Glancy explains. “It was just what my mother did.”

Glancy’s major in psychology comes in handy when she works with children and families. She has had a positive impact on numerous children over the years, keeping them out of foster homes, ensuring that they continue living with their sisters and brothers, and getting services to the kids in their own homes.

“Although I am the child’s voice in court I also think that it is very important for the children to speak for themselves. I show the judge the letters that my children write, explaining where they want to live and what they want to see happen. These letters empower my arguments in court and empower the children who write them. And they can have a huge impact on the court’s decision about a child’s future.”

Glancy’s advice to any of you who might be thinking about becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem? “Try it, you just might like it. It involves only a few hours of your time every week and the rewards are tremendous. You too can change a child’s life for the better.”

The Most Rewarding Volunteer Job You’ll Ever Have-
Denny Smith

In seven years as a volunteer with the Guardian ad Litem program, Denny Smith has been at the center of some heart-wrenching situation.

“Still”, Denny said, “working as a court system intermediary for neglected or abused children is well worth the effort.” He hopes others will consider volunteering their time.

“It’s probably the most rewarding volunteer job they could ever have”, he said. “You get very emotional, and there are some very sad cases out there, but you have the satisfaction of seeing these kids improve their lives and take a positive turn.”

“When these children come into the foster care system, they’re out of their house because of abuse. We stick with them until they return home, Denny said. “I would say the guardian is the one constant in their life right now.”

Denny has also been active in the Guardian ad Litem Association, serving as past President. He has worked on fund-raising efforts on behalf of the Guardian children who can range from infants to 18-year-olds.

 

GaL finds Success in a Cemetery -
Helen Marotto

Helen Marotto got the case of a boy whose mom abandoned him in 2001 when he was 10 years old. He had no memory of any relatives and, in 2005, was placed in a pre-adoptive foster home.

Enter Helen. Determined to find his family, she started looking for the boy’s father but found out that he had died. Through the cemetery records she found the boy’s grandmother in New York who was ecstatic to discover the whereabouts of her long-lost grandchild.

A month later, Helen got a call from the boy’s half-brother, a well-known entertainment figure, who now has custody of the child.

“Get the kids out of the foster care system!” That’s Helen’s passion. And she uses the Internet and shoe leather to search out family members who will take the younger kids and college opportunities for the older ones who are aging out.

Helen is the GaL for some 50-70 kids, five of whom live in Pender County. The GaL attorney helped arrange a small stipend for Helen and then handed her a pile of old cases.

Helen “retired” to Wilmington from a corporate job in New Jersey seven years ago, attended a newcomers meeting, met a woman recruiting for GaL, and knew instantly that she had found a new calling.

In addition to her GaL caseload, Helen is the mother of two sons and five grandchildren and recently obtained a real estate license.

“As a GaL, I learn something new every day. And I have changed children’s lives for the better.” Her advice to the rest of us? “Don’t give up and don’t get discouraged!”

FAQs

Q. What is a Guardian ad Litem?
A. Guardian ad Litem (GaL) is a trained volunteer who is appointed by the court to advocate for the best interests of an abused or neglected child. In court, the GaL serves as an important voice for the child.

Q. Who can be a Guardian ad Litem?
A. Guardian ad Litem volunteers come from all walks of life and have a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. No special education or experience is required.

Q. How will I know what to do?
A. The Guardian ad Litem offices across the state use a nationally recognized training program. You will learn all about the court system and your role in it so that you can be confident when you take your first case.

Q. Is being a Guardian ad Litem dangerous?
A. We would never ask you to do anything or go anywhere that makes you feel unsafe. You can take a social worker, another GaL staff member, or police officer on a home visit if you need to. You can also arrange meetings in public places, such as a restaruant or a DSS office.

Q. I work full time. Can I still be a Guardian ad Litem?
A. Many of our volunteers have full-time jobs. Much of the work can be done on the weekend, in the evening, or on the telephone. You would need your employer’s permission to take off work when you have a court date (every three to six months, depending on the case).

Q. What is the time commitment for a Guardian ad Litem?
A. The initial training program takes 25-30 hours to complete, usually in the evenings or on the weekends. After you are assigned a case, you will spend 10-15 hours per month interviewing parties, reviewing reports, attending court (if scheduled that month), and visiting with the child. The time commitment varies from case to case.

Q. How many cases do I have to take?
A. We have no minimum number of cases for volunteers. Each GaL volunteer accepts only as many cases as he/she has time to handle.

Q. Would I be liable for my work?
A. The North Carolina General Statutes shield volunteers from liability: “Any volunteer participating in a judicial proceeding…shall not be civilly liable for acts or omissions committed in connection with the proceeding if he/she acted in good faith and was not guilty of gross negligence.” N.C.G.S.§ 7A-493.

Q. How is the Guardian ad Litem different from a social worker?
A. The social worker represents the Department of Social Services (DSS), which also has legal custody of the child or children involved. DSS is concerned with ensuring the safety of the child(ren), and is charged with finding a permanent caregiver for the child, whether it is the parent(s), other relatives, foster care, adoption, or some other safe placement. As a Guardian ad Litem, you focus entirely on the child, advocating for special services, investigating community resources, and being the child’s voice in court.