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Hey everyone, hope someone can help me out. What should my fs's GAL be doing for him? How often should he be contacting me about him, or seeing him? My fs is almost 21 months and saw his GAL when he was about 3 or 4 months old. He called a few months later for an update. I had to call him several days in a row and leave msg's each time before finally having him take my call back in December. It was in regards to our upcoming permenacy hearing in December, he wasn't aware of it and was unable to attend. I have not spoken to him since and this upsets me. We have TPR jury trial next month and I feel that his words are important, yes or no? He doesn't appear to know anything about the child, or the case..how can he when we never see or hear from him. Also, would it be wrong to call and express my thoughts and hopes to this case? Should I mention that his bio mom agrees with me? I have a 7 month old whos GAL calls weekly, visits 1-2 month, and has stopped in to 3 visits with bio parents at the visiting center. This GAL also accompanied his sw to do the homestudy of the 7 month olds bio father. Is this GAL too involved, or should my 21 month old GAL's be this involved too? Also, if the caseworkers and their attys say one thing, but the GAL say something diffferent, who does the judge look more at?
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Hi Danielle, I'm a Florida GAL.
I believe the minimum visitation standards are set statewide, but you might want to check with your local GAL office (you can find your county's info here: [url=http://www.guardianadlitem.org/partners_main.asp]GUARDIAN AD LITEM[/url] ).
The minimum standard where I am is one visit per month -- and that's a face-to-face visit with the child (regardless of age). I would be very surprised if the standard is lower anywhere in Florida. We are also required to submit reports on each visit.
I know there can be hesitation (sometimes warranted) about "rocking the boat" with any agency, but my first inclination would be to call the local office and ask to speak to his Case Coordinator (aka, "supervisor") and to express your concerns to him/her.
As to how important the GAL's testimony is... well, that depends on the judge and the GAL. Different judges weigh GALs testimony differently (even within the same county). The ability of the GAL to make a presentation in court also influences how well their testimony is accepted.
I have opposed Case Management in multiples case -- sometimes the judge has ruled with my recommendation, sometimes against. Where I am, it really is about who presents the more effective argument -- which may include legal points that hamstring the judge's decision.
I would have no problem with a foster parent calling me to express their thoughts, but I don't know your GAL so it's hard to guess.
I don't think your other GAL is "over-involved," but he is certainly more involved than the bare minimum. The number of visits I do per month is usually one, but sometimes more than one is required. I do observe most/all of the parent/child visitations because those are critical to understanding the relationship I'm making a recommendation about. Those "observations" do not count as the monthly visit. I don't normally do concurrent visits with the Case Manager, but I wouldn't rule it as "abnormal."
Hope this helps!
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You are so helpful! I believe this judge weighs the GALS opinion HIGHLY. We went to court in December and the judge was quite upset that the GAL wasn't there, and said he should have been there and had he been there and voiced his opinion we could have ended it all right then and there. Judge stated that everyone should get on the GAL and make sure he is aware and present for the next date, that being May. I spoke to the GAL back in December and let him know what all was going on. Should I call again or should I hope he calls me, and should I call a whole month in advance or wait until the date is closer?
I would definitely call the GAL. Now. He has to write a TPR report and get that submitted to the GAL attorney.
Being me, I would also call the GAL office and speak to his Case Coordinator. A TPR trial is no small thing and I would be extremely hesitant to give any weight to the testimony of a GAL who has not been involved -- but how will the judge know just how little this GAL has done? Frankly, I don't believe your GAL has any business testifying, but that's the viewpoint of an outsider and it's really not a fair judgment for me to make.
But whether you call the GAL office is really up to you... I know my Case Coordinator would be very receptive to such a report, but in theory (due to the monthly reports we're required to do), the CC should already know the GAL isn't doing his visitations...