The complete report can be read in the READ MORE section below. This post emphasises the GAL program’s effort to eliminate CASA community volunteer Guardian ad Litems in favor of paid staff. The author made notes and corrected several minor spelling errors (notes are in parenthesis and in bold).

Hennepin County participants: Jodi Wentland; Dan Rogan; Lori Whittier; Evangeline Filosi; Patricia Zagaros; Sherry Smith; Lisa Bayley; Kwesi Booker; Michelle Lefebvre; Lori Munsterman; Fintan Moore; Lauren Kewley; Madeline Johnson; Shanese Reed; Rachelle Loewenson Stratton; Meredith Martinez: Lolita Ulloa 

 

Presenters: Victor Walker and Tami Baker-Olson from the Guardian ad Litem Program; Rhonda Serrano and Heidi Epstein from the American Bar Association (ABA) 

Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Program Update; Victor Walker, Program Manager and Tami Baker-Olson, Program Administrator with the 4th District Court GAL Program provided a presentation and overview of Guardian Ad Litem Program covering mandates, program reach, training, barriers, staffing. 

Impossible Questions & Painful Statistics
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Impossible Questions & Painful Statistics

 Discussion; Justice McKeig inquired about the number of GAL volunteers in the last 2 years compared to the current number of volunteers. Mr. Walker recalled there were approximately 150-170 volunteers 2 years ago, (down from about 400 five years ago) currently there are approximately 32 volunteers (32 with many of them feeling pushed out and will not continue). Justice McKeig asked for clarification regarding rumors of a push or goal to move to a paid employee model. Mr. Walker referred to the 8th recommendation to return to a universal model of a paid employee noting there is a current cost benefit analysis in place and more details around this question will be available once the study is complete. At this time (for the last 3 years) volunteer recruitment is not occurring.

Paid GAL’s currently have approximately 24 cases (CASA volunteers have  about 3 cases, allowing them more time per child – including travel and weekends). Judge Kappelhoff expressed there is concern in the court’s view that the Guardian Ad Litem Program in the 4th District is in crisis status, sharing examples. Discussion continued with staff turnover and retention efforts. Tami Baker-Olson provided information about the GAL position and its professional role including minimum qualifications. Judge Kappelhoff inquired about the current effort to recruit GAL’s. Tami Baker­ Olson referred back to HR staff making efforts through social media and community outreach. Kids At Risk Action is concerned with this tight labor market creating a smaller pool of qualified staff at low wages for what is deemed difficult work often involving mental health issues and personal tragedy. What will the caseloads be when County and State budgets are cut in predictable boom and bust economies?).

Tami and Victor also meet weekly to discuss staffing needs. Judge Kappelhoff remains very concerned. Dianne Heins voiced her concern of the current cases assigned to GAL’s not adding up to the number of children in foster care. Tami Baker-Olson offered to follow-up and look at the numbers and appointments of all their divisions. Commissioner Goettel concluded the conversation recognizing this is a challenging area right now in an important program with the question of what we can do to support and assist the Guardian Ad Litem Program work with the emphasis being on the recruitment and retention of volunteers with appropriate criteria. (CASAMN has about 200 volunteer applicants waiting, some for almost three years, many of them from diverse racial & professional backgrounds).

 Justice McKeig asked for clarification regarding rumors of a push or goal to move to a paid employee model. Mr. Walker referred to the 8th recommendation to return to a universal model of a paid employee noting there is a current cost benefit (more of a cost efficiency analysis) analysis in place and more details around this question will be available once the study is complete. At this time (and for the last 3 years) volunteer recruitment is not occurring. Paid GAL’s currently have approximately 20 cases (overseeing as many as 125 children).

Judge Kappelhoff expressed there is concern in the court’s view that the Guardian Ad Litem Program in the 4th District is in crisis status, sharing examples (of employee and volunteer morale). Discussion continued with staff turnover and retention efforts. Tami Baker-Olson provided information about the GAL position and its professional role including minimum qualifications. Judge Kappelhoff inquired about the current effort to recruit GAL’s. Tami Baker­ Olson referred back to HR staff making efforts through social media and community outreach. 

Read the recent Safe Passage investigative report on

Minnesota Children in Child Protective Services

Killed by their Caregivers 

Read more about ending the

CASA Community Volunteer GAL program.

Read more  about what CASA volunteers provide

children in Child Protective Services

This article submitted by Mike Tikkanen

former CASA volunteer guardian ad Litem

All Adults are the Protectors of All Children

(30 second KARA video)

 

#guardianadlitem, #CASA, #KARA, Kidsatriskaction

#Courtappointedspecialadvocate, #childwelfare, #childprotection

ELEMENTS IMPACTING THE DECISION TO END THE CASA PROGRAM &
VALUE OF VOLUNTEER GALS and  CASAMN (= 100%) see a more granular breakdown here
Improved Community Awareness and Involvement 10
Significantly More Time For Children In Their Caseload Helps to Humanise Our Industrial Process of Child Care 10
More Diverse Population of qualified Volunteers waiting to serve (68% have been licensed professionals) 10
Ongoing Advocacy, Efforts and Investments by Retired Volunteers That Continue Supporting Abused Children After Leaving the Program – Some With $ Many With New Programs and Organizations 9
Appreciation by the Child For Their Only Volunteer Adult in the System 8
Additional Qualified and Trained Staff that Have Come Through the Volunteer Program 9
CASAMN Foundation dollars for nonprofit support programs 6
Less is Not More For Traumatized Children With Great Needs 10
The Potential of More Data transparency (useful metrics and information) 9
Improved System Accountability 6
Less Reliant on County Funding (volunteers + CASAMN Support) 5
Volunteer Hiring, Training and Oversight by CASAMN 5
CASA’s Often the Single Long Term Trusted Adult In the System (many other adults come and go in Child Protection) 9 8
73% of CASAs serving today have given 5 to 20 years of service 80% have 4 yr or Postgraduate degrees 5
PERCENTAGE TOTAL 100.00
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Author: Mike Tikkanen