• A group opportunity. Invite your friends.
 

Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem

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ORGANIZATION: Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs

  • A group opportunity. Invite your friends.

Duties and Responsibilities
Case Investigation:
1. Meet face-to-face with the child(ren) at least once a month if placement is within Benton
Franklin County, and as often as is practical or possible if the child(ren’s) placement is
outside of Benton Franklin County, per program policy.
2. Speak with the child(ren) and relevant adults, i.e., parents, relatives, school personnel,
doctors, counselors, and others involved in the child(ren’s) life who might provide
information about the case.
3. Review appropriate records and reports.
4. Observe the child(ren) in relationships with family members and/or others significant to
the case.
Court Reports:
1. Prepare written reports to the court.
a. Reports must be factually based and comply with the report format as approved
by the Benton/Franklin GAL Program to include services and recommendations.
b. The reports must be submitted to the program no less than 3 weeks (15 court
days) days prior to the court hearing.

2. Be responsible for knowing the date of upcoming hearings for which a report will be due.
Court Appearance:
1. Attend all court hearings concerning the child whenever possible.
2. Ensure all relevant facts are presented.
Representing the Child’s Best Interests:
1. Attend appropriate interagency meetings regarding the child(ren) to ensure the child’s
educational, mental and physical health and any other needs are being met.
2. Participate in case conferences concerning the child(ren) if scheduled.
3. Make recommendations for specific appropriate services for the child(ren) and, when
appropriate, the child(ren’s) family.

Case Monitoring:
1. Review court-ordered services provided for the child(ren) and family.
2. Ensure the case is progressing toward the goal of securing a safe, permanent home for the
child and reasonable efforts are being made.
3. Request assistance from program staff to determine the most efficient way to inform the
Court of important developments in the case if the next regularly scheduled hearing is not
timely enough, or if time is of the essence and circumstances require a judge’s decision.
4. Maintain complete records about the case, in accordance with the GAL office Policies &
Procedures.
Consultation with Program Staff:
1. Maintain regular contact with Benton/Franklin program staff to discuss case plans and
review case progress.
2. Seek assistance when necessary for the preparation of court reports.
3. Sign GAL Statement of Return/Deletion of Confidential Documents and return case files
and case notes to the program after the case is closed.
Training and Support System
1. GAL is required to attend and complete a 40-hour pre-service core training and 12 hours
of in-service training annually.
2. GAL has access to additional training opportunities provided by other agencies.
3. GAL receives direct supervision and guidance from the program staff.
4. GAL is encouraged to contact the Case Supervisor to discuss questions or concerns that
might arise.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. Ability to keep all client and court information confidential.
2. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
3. Ability to respect and relate to people from various backgrounds.
4. Ability to transport self.
5. Ability to maintain objectivity.
6. Ability to work semi-independently.
7. Possess a basic understanding of child development and family relationships.
8. Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
9. Minimum education requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent.
10. Shall be of high moral character, and subject to a comprehensive background check.
Caseload Limits
1. A volunteer may be assigned up to three 3 cases or sibling groups at a time unless an
exception is granted.

More opportunities with Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs

No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.

About Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs

Location:

5606 W. Canal Pl. Suite 106, Kennewick, WA 99336, US

Mission Statement

The Washington Association of Child Advocates program focuses on supporting families within our local community. We recruit volunteer child advocates who represent children in the dependency system. These advocates work to assist children in exiting foster care and reuniting them with their families at home.

Description

We help to represent 35 Child Advocate programs in the state. These programs recruit, screen, train, and supervise community volunteers who assist the court in protecting the best interests of abused abandoned, and neglected children in Washington State. In 1977, Judge David Soukup, presiding judge of King Co. Superior Court in Seattle, started a volunteer Guardian ad Litem program to make sure he would know all he could about the long-term welfare needs of each dependent child that came through his court room. From our humble beginnings, we have grown to a statewide network that includes 35 local programs serving in 35 of the state’s 39 counties and 5 Tribal Nations. In 2020, our Association officially changed it name to the Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs to whose membership includes any program in Washington State that serves dependent children with volunteer guardians ad litem, regardless of a local program’s choice to affiliate with external entities. Washington State is 1500+ child advocate strong network serving over 5,000+ of our most vulnerable children.

CAUSE AREAS

Advocacy & Human Rights
Children & Youth
Community
Advocacy & Human Rights, Children & Youth, Community

WHEN

We'll work with your schedule.

WHERE

5606 West Canal DriveKennewick, WA 99336

(46.22467,-119.19592)
 

SKILLS

  • Youth Services
  • Child Welfare
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Community Outreach

GOOD FOR

  • People 55+
  • Public Groups
  • Private Groups

REQUIREMENTS

  • Driver's License Needed
  • Background Check
  • Must be at least 18
  • Orientation or Training
  • 2 years minimum

Private Group Details

  • Group Size Range 1 - 50+
  • Event can be held virtually or at a volunteer group location (e.g. office, park)
  • No Donation

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