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Aiken Guardian ad Litem Program Christy Pritchard, 2 nd Circuit Coordinator

Aiken Guardian ad Litem Program Christy Pritchard, 2 nd Circuit Coordinator. MISSION STATEMENT.

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Aiken Guardian ad Litem Program Christy Pritchard, 2 nd Circuit Coordinator

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  1. Aiken Guardian ad Litem Program Christy Pritchard, 2nd Circuit Coordinator

  2. MISSION STATEMENT • “The mission of the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian Program is to recruit, train, and supervise volunteers who are court-appointed to represent and advocate for the best interests of children in the child welfare system and in family court proceedings involving allegations of abuse and neglect.”

  3. HISTORY – “ad litem” for the court case In 1974, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) mandated that all children have a Guardian appointed.

  4. History cont. • In 1984, Cass Elias McCarter, from Columbia, SC established the first state funded volunteer program for child advocacy. In 2004, Cass lost her life to a brain aneurism. To honor her legacy, the SC legislature passed a bill in 2010 changing the name of the program to the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program.

  5. STATE FUNDED • The Cass Elias McCarter Guardian Program is state-funded and is part of the Governor’s Office. We currently operate in 45 counties within the state’s 16 judicial circuits. The Richland County Guardian ad Litem Program operates independently from the statewide program and is funded through grants and donations.

  6. History cont. In 2010, the South Carolina Supreme Court issued an order that eliminated attorney appointments as guardians ad litem in DSS cases. The effect for us was that we started accepting 100% of abuse and neglect cases.

  7. What is a Guardian ad Litem? • GAL volunteers are people like you. Some volunteers work full time, some are retired, some are students, teachers, grandparents; but they are All Extraordinary people who want to make the voices of abused and neglected children heard.

  8. BECOMING A GUARDIAN • WILLING TO COMMITT 4-6 HOURS A MONTH. • GO THROUGH A 30 HOUR TRAINING • PASS AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECK • LEGAL RESIDENT OF SC AND 21 OR OVER. • HAVE COMPASSION AND DESIRE TO HELP CHILDREN!

  9. WHY are there GALs? • In South Carolina, children do not normally go to court. That means that children are not present when decisions about their futures are being made. GAL volunteers bridge the gap and tell the Judge what the child wants!!!!

  10. Roles, Responsibilities, & Rights Of a volunteer Guardian ad Litem

  11. Roles of a volunteer GAL • Investigate • Advocate • Monitor • Protect

  12. Responsibilities of a volunteer GAL • GAL must see the child once a month. • GAL establishes a trusting, honest relationship with the child. • GAL advocates for child in unsafe situations, or for special needs the child may have.

  13. Responsibilities of a volunteer GAL • Submit court report with recommendations for child • Tell the court what the child’s wishes are • Appear at all court hearings • Keep the child informed

  14. Responsibilities of a volunteer GAL • GAL observes the progress of the parents on the treatment plan. • Remain unbiased towards all parties

  15. Well Being Assessment • How are the children doing in care? • Mental Health Assessment • Dental check-up • Psychological Evaluation • Therapy sessions

  16. School Information • IEP • Report Cards • Homework Issues • Conflict with Teachers • Sports • Community Clubs associated with School

  17. Home Visits • Guardian ad Litem Volunteers need to see children in their homes to assess their needs.

  18. Therapeutic Information • Counseling • Group • Family

  19. Independent Living • Preparation • College Needs • Housing • Transportation • Resume • Financial Support • Emotional Support

  20. Rights of a volunteer GAL • Private access to the child. • Right to all information and records about the child. • Right to be a full party in any court action.

  21. Rights of a volunteer GAL • Notice of all hearings and staffings. • Interview all parties. • Maintain confidences of the child, unless it is a mandatory reporter issue.

  22. NOT a Right of a volunteer GAL • Cannot transport, photograph or give large gifts to children. • Do not determine placement. • Do not provide services.

  23. Partnering for Better Outcomes Teachers GAL Volunteers: Need First hand information from teachers Have access to Court Hearings and legal avenues to help children • Have first hand information, observations, and relationships with children. • Provide access to volunteers . GALS and TeachersShared desire to help children have better permanent outcomes.

  24. AIKEN COUNTY Aiken County currently has 75 volunteers. We have 71 cases with 145 children. Our volunteers have put in 5,400 volunteer hours in the last year!

  25. THANK YOU!!!!!!!! FOR MORE INFORMATION 648-9919 • www.aiken.sc.gal.org • www.nationalcasa.com • Like us on Facebook Facebook.com/GALvolunteersAiken

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