SPRING 2013 Mecklenburg Guardian ad Litem

NEWSLETTERwww.GALCharlotte.com

2013 Volunteer Appreciation Eventat Park Road Baptist Church on April 16, 2013

The Guardian ad Litem Annual Volunteer Appreciation event went very well on a warm Springevening. The GAL Staff pictured below wants to extend their thanks for all the volunteers that cameout to celebrate our 30th year in advocating in a Court of Law for the best interests and wishes of thechildren we represent. Also, thanks to our BSW and MSW interns and to our Charlotte School of Lawstudent volunteers for their help before and after the event!

∙ Spring 2013 Mecklenburg County Guardian ad Litem Program ∙ 700 East 4th Street Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28202 ∙ 704­686­0075

From our Attorney: Nea Taylor

Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they'repriceless. ~Sherry Anderson

As the Guardian Ad Litem program celebrates 30 years of advocating for abused and neglected children, I cannothelp but think of how that would not be possible without the hard work of our numerous volunteers. Without ourvolunteers our team would not be able to adequately promote the best interests of our kids. If I visited 3 childrenper week on my caseload it would take me one year to see all of them. Between court, meetings, mediation andother obligations this would be impossible. I literally could not do my job without the GAL volunteers. Weappreciate the many hours you spend driving to schools, doctor visits, child and family team meetings, and tothe monthly visits. Many of you attend graduations, athletic events, and other extra­curricular activities in order toshow support to your children. We know it is not easy to show up for hearings on time only to sit on those hardbenches in the hallway waiting forever for your hearing to start.

The impact you make on the lives of these children is amazing. I have been an eye witness to how having a GALvolunteer has positively affected not only the children but the entire family. I have a folder of emails, cards,photos and other materials that I keep from various agencies, families, and children that speak to how ourvolunteer and our program changed the outcome for the best. Without the volunteer helping to coordinate themany moving parts in each case we would be at a loss in how to best advocate for the best interests of ourchildren. As attorneys, we rarely have time between hearings to stop and chat with each volunteer to express ourthanks for the energy you put into making sure the child has a voice. I wanted to make sure I took this time tothank each and every one of our volunteers for all that you do. It is not acknowledged as often as it should behow grateful our entire juvenile system is for the effort you put into each case. Thank you for all the hard work,commitment and love you show.

System of Care Trainingby Kristen Schmitt, MSW Intern

As a GAL Intern, I have found it very important to take advantage of learning opportunities that will help me be abetter advocate for the children to whom I am appointed. I recently attended a set of free trainings aboutMeckCARES (the local name for System of Care). The MeckCARES Training Institute puts on the trainingsthrough the assistance of AHEC. I attended all five of the 200 level trainings (CFT 201, 202, 203, 204, & 205).Overall I gained knowledge about the importance of collaboration between agencies to provide the best possibleexperience for children and families and how to incorporate the visions and strengths of families into their OneChild One Plan. Any of the children in foster care who are also involved with another system such as mentalhealth or juvenile justice should have a One Child One Plan. Therefore it is very important that all GALsunderstand the principles and philosophy of MeckCARES. The One Child One Plan should be developed andimplemented through Child and Family Team Meetings (CFTs).

CFT 201 – Introduction to Child & Family Team CoordinationThis training is a full day and it gives an overview of System of Care (SOC). The training goes into detail about theSOC principles which include collaboration, a focus on the individual child and family, strengths, and measurableoutcomes. The benefits of SOC are discussed in addition to the different phases that are a part of theWraparound process and the roles and responsibilities of Child and Family Team Members. The first training is agreat way to get a quick snapshot of what SOC entails and to determine if you want to continue with the othertrainings.

CFT 202 – Strengths, Needs, and Culture Discovery for Child & Family Teams this training is a morning training

∙ Spring 2013 Mecklenburg County Guardian ad Litem Program ∙ 700 East 4th Street Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28202 ∙ 704­686­0075

(CFT 203 follows after lunch) that concentrates on engaging families and identifying and incorporating theirstrengths into the One Child One Plan. The training discusses the importance of presuming the positive andintroduces life domains that help families identify their strengths and needs.

CFT 203 – Creating Natural Supports through Child & Family Team PlanningThis training is an afternoon training (following CFT 202) that concentrates on the importance of strong naturalsupports. Accessing informal resources and the creation of Eco­maps are discussed during the training. I foundCFT 203 to help me think morecreatively about what types of supports families may have or need.

CFT 204 – One Child One Plan Development for Child & Family TeamsThis is a morning training (CFT 205 follows after lunch) that teaches how to create a One Child One Plan. TheOne Child One Plan should be driven by what the family wants which can be difficult in child welfare becausethere are certain requirements that must bemet. The training is still applicable to help families identify short term goals and to create specific action stepsfor different team members, so everyone is accountable.

CFT 205 – Crisis Planning & Response for Child & Family Teams This is an afternoon training (following CFT204) that covers the crisis phase and howto create proactive and reactive crisis plans. Having never created a crisis plan before, I found this training to beuseful to help ensure the safety of families and children. The training sessions are interactive, include a reviewfrom the previous session, andare applicable to the children Guardian Ad Litem serves. I learned a lot from hearing the perspectives of othercommunity members in the mental health field. There is also a 300series that goes into more detail about how to facilitate a CFT and how to write a One Child One Plan. Trainingsoccur monthly. If you would like to sign up visit the Charlotte AHEC website athttp://www.charlotteahec.org/continuing_education/mental_health/meckcares.cfm

A Note of Thanksfrom Dana Frady

The month of May has proven to be an adventure in the District26 GAL office. We are so happy for and proud of our very ownElaine Morris who was hired as the District Administrator forDistrict 19 A/C (Cabarrus and Rowan Counties). The previousDistrict Administrator retired on April 30 departure from ourprogram leaves five Program Supervisors to supervise thevolunteers and manage the cases for 4 courtrooms. Prior toFebruary 28, 2011, there were 8 Program Supervisors doing thesame work. It was that month in 2011 when we lost two ProgramSupervisors to the voluntary RIF due to the ongoing state budgetcrisis. We have not suffered further budget cuts and do notanticipate any for the fiscal year 2013­2014, however, all programsacross the state still feel the loss of so many staff and theeliminated positions. While District 26 GAL program is consideredunderstaffed according to the number of children in custody, thereare many districts that are understaffed at a higher percentageand are suffering greatly. Therefore, the Program Supervisorposition previously held by Elaine was moved to another district toalleviate their staff shortage. Part of being a state­wide program is

2013 Volunteer Awards

Volunteer of the YearSandra Perkins

Rookie of the YearSterling Oliver

10 Year Service AwardRichard Goodall

Birthdays

March BirthdaysKristen S.Daryl G.Simon M.Suphronia W.Debra S.Carolyn A.Kaylan L.Helen S.Judy R.Cathy B.Lynda H.Brendan B.Shunder P.Sarah C.Nathanial D.

∙ Spring 2013 Mecklenburg County Guardian ad Litem Program ∙ 700 East 4th Street Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28202 ∙ 704­686­0075

learning to share our resources and look at the big picture, for weare all doing the same work and we must support one another.With that being said, many of you have been affected by the lossof Elaine and her position. Many of you are working with anotherProgram Supervisor as it was necessary for almost all of theProgram Supervisors to shift cases to absorb Elaine’s. Inaddition to more cases to manage, all the Program Supervisorsare supervising more volunteers. They are all working hard tomanage their time and set priorities so that the support theyprovide you does not decrease with the increase in volunteersthey supervise. To those of you who have been affected, thankyou so much for your flexibility and ongoing commitment to theprogram and the children for whom you advocate. Please let usknow if we are not offering the support and guidance you need.We value your work more than we can ever express with wordsand we want to be there for you as you advocate for the mostvulnerable in our community. Thank you!______________________________________________Have you seen some pinwheels this month? Prevent Child Abuse– North Carolina Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina plantspinwheel gardens all over the state (and via their nationalorganization – the country) as a symbol for child abuseprevention. Share a picture with us if you find some pinwheels! Or,visit www.pinwheelsforprevention.org to learn more!

April BirthdaysEileen M.Delana M.Corby S.Christina P.Dawn P.Maria E.Kathleen B.Heidi S.Maggi D.Debra G.Aja W.Suzy G.Marie­Lou A.Jayne T.Saundra W.

May BirthdaysSheryl S.Jennifer F.Lisa S.Sade B.Joshua E.Anne R.Susan O.Liz P.Hilda G.Aloma B.

∙ Spring 2013 Mecklenburg County Guardian ad Litem Program ∙ 700 East 4th Street Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28202 ∙ 704­686­0075

Please join us in welcoming our newest team of Guardian ad Litem child advocates, our very own elite eight; Ronda,Emily, Jazming, Courtney, Brandy, Kendra, Sokya and Shannon (not pictured)! May 2013 Graduates

∙ Spring 2013 Mecklenburg County Guardian ad Litem Program ∙ 700 East 4th Street Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28202 ∙ 704­686­0075