Representation of Children as a Guardian Ad Litem – 2025 Qualifying Course

A pre-recorded streaming VIDEO replay from the November 2025 webcast, Representation of Children as a Guardian Ad Litem—Qualifying Course.

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/home

Topics covered include:

• Overview of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Law
• Roles, responsibilities, and duties of guardian ad litem representation
• Laws governing child abuse and neglect, foster care case review, termination of parental rights, and entrustments
• Role of social services agencies in handling abuse and neglect cases
• Developmental needs of children
• Characteristics of abusive and neglectful families and of children who are victims; physical, medical, and mental health aspects of child abuse and neglect
• Communication with children; children as witnesses; use of closed-circuit television
• Cultural awareness

This online seminar is not eligible for discounts.

Explanation of the Qualification Process for Guardians Ad Litem for Children
Gabbie Cooper

Roles, Responsibilities, and Duties of Guardian Ad Litem Representation; Review of the Standards to Govern the Performance of Guardians Ad Litem for Children
Hon. Thomas P. Sotelo

Laws Governing Child Abuse and Neglect, Foster Care Case Review, Permanency Planning, Termination of Parental Rights, and Entrustments
Beth M. Coyne, Esq.

Role of Local Departments of Social Services and Community Partners in Child Dependency Cases
Hon. Thomas P. Sotelo, Moderator, Rebecca J. Morgan, Melissa O’Neill, Scott Reiner

Developmental Needs of Children: Communication with Children, Children as Witnesses
Marcella Rustioni, Karen M. Anderson Holman, Esq.

Breaking the Cycle: Family Patterns and Child Well-Being in Abuse and Neglect
Dr. Viola Vaughan-Eden

Cultural Awareness
Hon. Louis A. Trosch, Jr., Hon. Thomas P. Sotelo, Moderator

Faculty

Hon. Thomas P. Sotelo, Fairfax Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court / Fairfax
Hon. Louis A. Trosch, Jr., Superior Court Judge, 26th Judicial District / Charlotte, NC
Gabbie Cooper, Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia / Richmond
Beth M. Coyne, Esq., Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia / Richmond
Karen M. Anderson Holman, Esq., The Law Office of Karen M. Holman, PLLC / Winchester
Rebecca J. Morgan, Middlesex County Department of Social Services / Middlesex County
Melissa O’Neill, State CASA Program, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services / Richmond
Scott Reiner, Office of Children’s Services / Richmond
Marcella Rustiono, Arlington County Child Advocacy Center / Arlington
Dr. Viola Vaughan-Eden, Norfolk State University / Norfolk

MODERATOR

Sandra L. Karison, Esq., Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia / Richmond