Minnesota Guardian ad Litem program and CASA is actively seeking volunteers and financial donations in a recent advertisement promising “treats” in exchange for attending an upcoming recruitment session to be held on August 3rd, 2017. Guardian ad-Litem Child Advocacy Learning Session (with treats)
Efforts to enlist volunteer guardians are being made despite recommendations from a recent survey conducted by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) to significantly re-organize the program, and specifically, “The GAL Board should explore moving towards a universal employee model and away from the extensive use of volunteers…” (p.30) Assessment of the Organizational Structure and Service Delivery Model of the Minnesota Guardian Ad Litem Program
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How Many Volunteer Guardian ad Litems are Being Used in Minnesota?
The NCSC consult indicates that volunteers GALs are being heavily utilized in only two judicial districts – the 2nd, Ramsey County, and the 4th, Hennepin County, both part of the heavily populated Metro Area. Volunteer GALs are primarily used on child protection cases.
The breakdown of volunteers used in each district can be found on page 25 of the NCSC consult and reflects the following: the 2nd district utilizes 123 volunteers and the 4th district utilizes 225 volunteers, and further says these districts are “relying predominantly on volunteer GALs…“ The other districts use few, if any, volunteers. No use of volunteer GALs in districts 1,3, and 7-10. Only 3 volunteers are used in districts 5 and 6.
Are Guardians the ONLY people whose “sole concern is the best interest of the child”?
The advertisement relies on heavily emotional language to entice potential volunteers, quote: “While other parties in the case are concerned about the child, the Guardian ad Litem is the ONLY (emphasis added) person in the case whose sole concern is the best interests of the child…“
But is this true?
Parents are considered “parties” in the case. To say that a GAL cares more about the “best interest” of a child than a mother or father does is shocking – and simply untrue. Statements like these create an environment where a GAL is pitted against a parent, rather than working with a family to meet the needs of a child.
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The Problematic Role of GALs
The NCSC also found, through interviews, that GALs are frequently being called to perform duties outside of their mandated role. (p. 21)
This commonly occurs when GALs are taking on responsibilities which they are prohibited from doing by statute. As shown in the NCSC study, and raised in complaints from numerous parents, GALs are making decisions regarding parenting time, medical decisions, decisions regarding education, establishing the worth of a child’s religion or culture, determining whether abuse occurred or not (etc) without authority or expertise to do so. Many parents complain they feel violated, and their rights have been violated, because the GAL (and often the judge) is assuming control over their lives, and their children’s lives, with negative consequences. And judges are using on GALs not to represent children but to assist in the demands of their own job.
One interviewee is recorded as saying in the NCSC study: “For example, as one GAL noted in the survey, “[W]e are being used as parenting time evaluators, and often are requested to step outside of our roles as guardians ad litem. We often are requested to identify parenting time, set a schedule, monitor the parenting schedule, and have control over parenting time. It was my understanding that we make recommendations for parenting time, but it appears that the court is using our role in a way that it should not be used. It appears that we are being requested to step outside of our roles are GALs in family law cases, and it does not appear to meet the statutory requirements of GALs…” (p. 21)
Problems With Volunteer GALs
According to the NCSC study:”‘As one interviewee noted, “Volunteer GAL programs should be eliminated as cost ineffective and difficult to supervise…’” (p. 24) National Center for State Courts (NCSC) study of Minnesota Guardian ad Litem program, June 2017. It should be noted that the consult did not allow the public to provide feedback in any meaningful way, and that “interviewee” was either directly involved with the Guardian ad Litem program, or the court system (see p. 16 for data on stakeholders interviewed).
In addition, “When the survey responses were examined by volunteer, full time, and part time status, there was a notable distinction among full time GALs. Full time GALs were more likely than volunteers and part-time GALs to disagree with the statement that the organization and service delivery model of the current GAL system is efficient and effective.” (p. 27)
Attorney Representation for GALs Increases with Use of Volunteers
The NCSC study found that the Minnesota GAL program is heavily utilizing attorney representation and consultation on cases in a way that does not serve children but rather, is to meet the needs of Guardians or the program, itself.
(p. 27),”Through interviews and a review of budget information, NCSC found a wide range across the districts in the expenditures for attorney consultation and representation, and a range that didn’t correlate with children served.
Some interviewees and survey respondents suggested that districts that rely heavily on volunteers use a disproportionate amount of attorney consultation and representation.
However, it should be noted that in the 4th District, it has been the policy of the Juvenile Court bench that an attorney be assigned to the GAL for the trial. For FY 2012-2016, approximately $2.3 million was spent on attorney consultations and representation in all ten districts. Approximately $1.5 million of that was spent in the 2nd and 4th Districts.”
One of these attorneys, even spoke on behalf of a GAL during a newspaper interview: Separated From Their Kids, Parents Unite Against One Court Guardian
The State Guardian ad Litem Board denies using attorneys to personally represent GALs but many parents involved in family court have raised complaints that attorneys are actively representing GALs, raising a defense and even attacking parents during proceedings. Pro se parents, who lack legal representation, feel ambushed – and without defense as judges often side with GALs when complaints are filed, especially when a GAL is represented by an attorney.
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Is Fundraising at a Recruitment Event for GALs Ethical?
Is it ethical to solicit donations from potential GALs and raise funding for the program at a recruitment event?
The advertisement offers a list of 3 discussion topics at the event which include:
*What is a volunteer Guardian ad Litem/Court Appointed Special Advocate?
*What are the requirements and training to serve as a Guardian ad Litem?
*Financial donation
At the bottom of the CASA advertisement is a hyperlink that leads to a page to charge the donation to a credit card.
Minnesota does not have a code of conduct in place for GALs, however requesting donations in this way does raise concern.
The point of a recruitment event for the GAL program should be focused on the needs, and best interest, of the children and NOT seeking financial donations. Second, requesting donations at an event meant to recruit new GALs creates an appearance of impropriety, and undermines the purpose of the GAL program.
Recruit Volunteers? Or Address Current Problems in GAL Program?
With these types of problems existing in the current GAL program, and given the dysfunctional work environment, it is inappropriate to enlist new volunteers. This is both unfair to the children, and to the Guardians, themselves. Children’s lives will continue to be at risk with a system that does not truly uphold their best interest, and further at risk by recruiting Guardians who can not perform to the best of their ability because the system is set up to fail.
Read More – Recent Scandals from Minnesota’s Troubled GAL Program:
Court Grants Child Molester Custody – Psych Eval for “Protective” Mother
Former Volunteer GAL Terri Ann Milstein Pleads Guilty to Promoting Prostitution
Minnesota on the Map for Two International Custody Battles Involving Japan
MN GAL Board Boasts: Abuser Gains Custody – Victim Labelled ‘Paranoid’ Forced Out of Kid’s Lives
MN: GALs Plan Party At the Bar While Parents, State Struggle With Reform
Separated From Their Kids, Parents Unite Against One Court Guardian
A Call to Action ~ Together We Are Stronger (C2A) 
The GAL in my family court case in Henn Co recommended sole custody to an abusive alcoholic with a criminal record. I was threatened by the GAL not talk about the physical or sexual abuse – documented in therapist records btw – and when I did, GAL recommended I be put in supervised visits. Visits cost $100 an hour and the facilitator is a colleague of the GAL. I could not afford $800 a month to see the kids I gave birth to, raised all their lives & love with all my heart. I am now estranged from kids – who are still being abused and have no protection. Can’t afford to keep the attorney on my case and being bankrupted by legal fees that are now close to $100k. And the GAL is keeping this going by demanding jump thru all these hoops, pay multiple providers to get out of sup visits. Abuser goes unpunished. My kids now need counseling and special ed in school…not to mention the black eye no one will talk about. DO NOT DONATE TO THE GAL PROGRAM! They destroy children and families. Your dollars are contributing to the abuse of children like mine. And allowing abusers to go unpunished.
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