Representation of Children as a Guardian Ad Litem – Qualifying Course

A pre-recorded streaming VIDEO replay from the November 2023 webcast seminar, Representation of Children as a Guardian Ad Litem—2023 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/children/home.html.

Topics 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

This online seminar is not eligible for discounts.

Explanation of the Qualification Process for Guardians Ad Litem for Children
Beth M. Coyne

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

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

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

Cultural Awareness and the Elimination of Bias
William F. Brazier

Characteristics of Abusive and Neglectful Families and of Children Who Are Victims; Physical, Medical, and Mental Health Aspects of Child Abuse and Neglect
Allison Jackson-Dyer

Developmental Needs of Children:  Communication with Children, Children as Witnesses, Use of Closed Circuit Television
Archana J. McLoughlin, Marcella Rustioni

Faculty

Hon. Thomas P. Sotelo, Judge, Fairfax Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court / Fairfax
William F. Brazier, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Learning Development Strategist / Washington, DC
Bailey Chenevert, Research Analyst, Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia / Richmond
Beth M. Coyne, Staff Attorney, Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary, Supreme Court of Virginia / Richmond
Dr. Allison Jackson-Dyer, PhD, LCSW, LICSW, CSOTP, Integration Solutions, Inc. / Richmond
Archana J. McLoughlin, Attorney at Law, McLoughlin Law PLC / Richmond
Rebecca J. Morgan, Director, Middlesex Department of Social Services / Middlesex County
Melissa O’Neill, CASA Program Coordinator, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services / Richmond
Scott Reiner, Executive Director, Office of Children’s Services / Richmond
Marcella Rustioni, Arlington County Child Advocacy Center, Forensic Interviewer and MDT Facilitator Children’s Behavioral Health Bureau / Arlington

Moderator

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