Why Attend?
- This is the training course you MUST take to qualify as a GAL for Children in Virginia.
This program is supported by the Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia, through federal grant funds of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
To be appointed as a guardian ad litem (GAL) for children in Virginia, members of the bar must meet the standards set forth by the Judicial Council of Virginia. This seven-hour course meets the training requirement under these standards. All attorneys who wish to qualify for court appointment as GALs for children in Virginia must take this course.
For more information on becoming a GAL for children in Virginia, please contact the Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia, 100 North Ninth Street, Third Floor, Richmond, Virginia 23219, (804) 786-6455, or visit this website: https://www.vacourts.gov/courtadmin/aoc/cip/programs/gal/children/home.html.
Topics to be covered include:
- The duties, roles, and responsibilities of guardian ad litem (GAL) representation
- The role of social service agencies in handling abuse and neglect cases; laws governing child abuse and neglect, foster care review, permanency planning, and termination of parental rights
- Cultural awareness and the elimination of bias
- Characteristics of abusive and neglectful families and of children who are victims; physical, medical, and mental health aspects of child abuse and neglect
- Developmental needs of children; communication with children, children as witnesses, use of closed circuit television
ATTENDING IN PERSON?
The Bobzien-Gaither Education Center in Richmond/Innsbrook is our new state-of-the-art facility designed with your safety in mind. It features a Centurion air filtration system, which quickly and effectively eliminates viruses and bacteria. Additionally, the facility is thoroughly cleaned before each seminar, and face masks and hand sanitizer will be available.
COVID-19 POLICY FOR LIVE-ON-SITE ATTENDANCE
By attending a live-on-site Virginia CLE® seminar, you acknowledge the health risks associated with COVID-19 and that you MUST follow all Virginia CLE® COVID-19 policies. You may NOT attend a live-on-site program if you have tested positive for COVID-19, if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or if you are under any self-quarantine orders per CDC guidelines.
This program is not eligible for New Lawyer, Government, Legal Aid, Law Student, Paralegal, or Pro Bono discounts.
| Registration Deadlines: |
| Webcast: |
10 minutes prior to seminar. If you register for a webcast the day of the seminar, your e-mail receipt will include a link to launch the seminar and download the materials. |
| Telephone: |
Online registration ends at 11:59 p.m. the day preceding the seminar
Call (800) 979-8253 to register up to one hour prior to the seminar |
| Live on Site: |
Online registration ends at 11:59 p.m. the day preceding the seminar
Walk-in registration is permitted on a space-available basis |
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation/transfer requests will be honored until 5:00 p.m. the day preceding the seminar. You will, however, be charged $40 if you cancel or transfer your registration to a different seminar after the link to the materials has been e-mailed by Virginia CLE®.
Full refunds or transfers are available up to two days after a webcast in the unlikely event that you experience technical difficulties.
MCLE Credit Caveat: The MCLE Board measures credits by the time you spend in attendance. If you enter a seminar late or leave it early, or both, you must reflect those adjustments accurately in the credits you report on your credit reporting form. A code will be given at the end of the seminar, which must be written on your MCLE form.
Can't Attend? E-mail
distance_ed@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program is made available as an online or USB seminar.
E-mail
publications@vacle.org to be notified when/if this program's seminar materials are made available for sale.