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Wake County
Guardian ad Litem Program
919-792-5350
www.wakecountygal.org
Raleigh, NC District 10
Wake County
Guardian ad Litem Program
October 2014 Newsletter
District Administrator
Naeime Livingston 792-5352
Raleigh, NC 10th Judicial District
Attorney Advocates
Reginald O’Rourke 792-5356
David Hord 919-792-5354
Program Supervisors
Fonda Lyons-Cousar 792-5357
Margaret Hertzler 792-5355
Cheryl Hanes 792-5359
Ernest Wilder 792-5358
Program Assistant
Carrie Stopka 792-5353
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Spotlight on Mary Kay
Murren
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A Conversation with Jim &
Barbra Burkhart
3
What is...
4
Child Support Enforcement
of North Carolina
Welcoming New Guardian ad Litem Child Advocates
On October 1, 2014 16 new volunteer child advocates joined the Wake County
Guardian ad Litem Program. These advocates were sworn-in by the Honorable
Judge Monica Bousman. Since January 2014, 84 new child advocates have
joined the Wake County Guardian ad Litem Program.
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In the month of September:
What Does Advocacy
Really Mean?
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How Can GAL’s Best Advocate for Youth in Care?
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WCHS LINKS October
Evens
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52 children entered foster care
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16 children were placed in the care and custody of their
biological families (parents or extended family members)
Confidentiality
Recommended Readings
Up-Coming Events
Volunteer Birthday’s
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667 children were represented by the
Wake County Guardian ad Litem Program
16 children achieved legal permanency through adoption
2 youth reached their 18th birthdays
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Spotlight on Mary Kay Murren
Volunteer Child Advocate Since 2010
I have been privileged to volunteer as a CASA/GAL since 2007. I began this work
at Prokids, a nonprofit organization in Cincinnati, Ohio. I became involved after a
media blitz highlighting a three year old child who was bound, gagged and left in a
closet to die while his foster parents went away for the weekend. He is still the reason I continue this work today; however, I am passionate about all the children
who deserve a voice in court and a safe permanent home.
I have advocated for babies, toddlers and teenagers since beginning this work and
every child and situation provides its own challenges but each holds a special place
in my heart. I enjoy working with the staff at the GAL office and am grateful for
the knowledge and expertise they are able to offer. This is the most fulfilling volunteer work and I feel
blessed to have played a small role in hopefully improving the course of a child’s life.
Prior to staying home to raise my own family I was a critical care nurse. I have no background in law,
however, I found the classes I took in Ohio and North Carolina along with the in-services have provided
a good foundation to carry out this work. The resiliency of the children has been a common theme in all
my cases. I marvel at their ability to remain positive and strong despite difficult circumstances. I am always amazed at the wonderful people I have met through this work, whether doing this as a volunteer or
paid position the consistent theme is a labor of love.
A Guardian ad Litem Volunteer is..
Being told you’re the only intelligent person involved and the only one who understands.
Being told you’re just as stupid as everyone else involved is, and to mind your own business.
Having a fifteen-year-old ask for a hug.
Having a fourteen-year-old ask if he could live with you if he runs away.
Meeting some of the extraordinary people who are foster parents.
Being slobbered on by a zillion dogs and cats.
Losing your car in the parking lot for the fifth time in a month.
Spending dozens of hours talking to dozens of people to get ready for trial and then settling out of
court on the first day.
Waiting for people to return your phone calls.
Having a hearing start on time—the one time you’re late.
Having a six-year-old call and say, “Why haven’t you come to visit me? Did the judge fire you?”
Discovering places in the county you never knew existed.
Getting phone calls saying, “Thank you.”
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A Conversation with Jim & Barbara Burkhart
Jim and Barbara Burkhart are not just husband and wife. They were coworkers in their professional careers and have served as co-Guardians ad
Litem in Wake County for nearly 15 years. Today they bring a wealth of
dedication, experience, and insight into their work as child advocates.
Jim and Barbara worked for 30 years for the National Institutes of Health in
Environmental Health Sciences. Barbara has a PhD in molecular genetics
and Jim’s PhD is in biochemistry. They have two adult children and three
grandchildren. Jim and Barbara heard about the Guardian ad Litem program
through the News & Observer and joined the program together in 2000.
They wanted to give back to their community, and believed the GAL program was the right fit for them. They have advocated as a team for 16 children in Wake County.
Jim and Barbara believe that working as a team has its advantages. They might
not always see a situation in the same light, and another set of eyes can help them sort
through difficult questions. “Working as a team has worked remarkably well,” Barbara
states, particularly during visits to busy households where many conversations need to
take place. Jim and Barbara believe that the work of the Guardian ad Litem Program is
an essential back up to the work of social services in making sure that children are protected and heard.
The Wake County GAL Program is extremely fortunate to have such an energetic,
dedicated, and effective couple committed to advocating for children in our community.
A Child's Sense of Time
A child's sense of time is very different from an adult's. If an infant or toddler
waits for a hearing, that wait is a significant portion of his/her life. Likewise, a
school-aged child who is uprooted from family, school, and friends does not view
a month or three or four as a short period of time. As child advocates we must
keep in mind a child's sense of time, and work to achieve permanency for a child
as quickly as possible.
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What Is...
Youth Life Skills Assessment:
This youth centered tool assesses life skills youth need for their well-being, confidence and safety as
they navigate high school, postsecondary education, employment, and other life milestones. It is designed to be as free as possible from gender, ethnic and cultural biases, and is appropriate for all youth
ages 14 to 17 regardless of living circumstances (i.e., in foster care, with bio-parents, in group homes or
other places). The assessment is made up of 64 items categorized within three areas for skills,
knowledge and awareness. It can be completed all at one time (in approximately 20-30 minutes) or one
area at a time.
The Life Skills Assessment is not a test, but a self-reporting instrument that gives social worker, advocate, and the youth the opportunity to assess their strengths and challenges. It also promotes young people’s active engagement in planning their learning goals and making decisions about their future. The
assessment does not collect personal/identifying information, so youth can feel free to be open and honest.
Job Corps:
Job Corps is the nation’s largest career technical training and education program for students ages 16
through 24. It is U.S. Department of Labor Program, established in 1964, that provides 60,000 students
per year with hands-on training in America’s fastest growing careers. For more information visit: www.jobcorps.gov.
“I believe that there is no more important work than helping kids. It’s frustrating, maddening, joyful
work and it’s absolutely essential. There is no question that being a Volunteer Guardian ad Litem
Child Advocate is an extremely valuable use of time and energy and, because few things in life are
that certain, it brings me peace.”
Van Kloempken, Guardian ad Litem Child Advocate
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Child Support Enforcement of North Carolina
Child Support Enforcement is a national program established by Congress in 1975 to ensure that both parents are responsible for the support of children to the best of their ability. Services may be provided to a
custodian of a minor child, regardless of income level. There are five major program services in Child
Support Enforcement. All or part of these services may be appropriate for a particular case, depending on
the circumstances of the case. The basic pro-gram services are:
Noncustodial Parent Location: Sear ches to find wher e the noncustodial par ent lives and or works.
Establishment of Paternity: Establishes the legal father of the child.
Establishment of Support Obligation: A cour t or der for the noncustodial par ent to pr ovide support
for his/her child, including medical insurance coverage.
Collection of Support Payments: The r eceipt accounting and r ecor d keeping of cour t or der ed child
support payments to the NC Child Support Centralized Collections (NCCSCC).
Enforcement of Support Obligation: Use of as many enfor cement r emedies as necessar y to ensur e
the noncustodial parent’s compliance with court ordered support.
Individuals receiving services through Public Assistance (IV-A) or Foster Care (IV-E) Programs are automatically referred and are eligible for Child Support services free of charge. For more information visit:
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/cse/index.htm
Paternity Establishment: A child suppor t or der cannot be established for a child who is bor n to unmarried parents until: The alleged father acknowledges paternity by signing the Affidavit of Parentage in
the hospital, at the child support agency or at the Clerk of Court’s office.
Legal action is filed with the court when the alleged father does not voluntarily acknowledge paternity. A
formal complaint is served on the alleged father. A court hearing is held and the court makes a determination of paternity.
Genetic testing: Genetic testing is r ecommended if ther e ar e any doubts about the pater nity of a
child. The potential father may be tested to determine whether or not he is the biological father of a child.
Genetic testing is highly accurate in determining the paternity of a child. A swab is taken from inside the
cheek of the mother, alleged father and child, and then sent to a laboratory for testing.
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What Does Advocacy Really Mean?
As a volunteer Guardian ad Litem child advocate, you have learned about many requirements of your
work: monthly visits with the child, monthly updates to your program supervisor, submission of court reports, and testimony in court. But what else is involved in effectively advocating for a child? What are
we trying to achieve as we work on our cases? How can we each do the most through and effective job
representing a child’s interests in court?
Child advocacy occurs throughout the life of the case. It begins with the development of a plan for case
investigations and subsequent monitoring to ascertain the child’s wishes and needs, and identifying the
resources available to meet those needs. Good, thorough investigation in a case should include, but is not
limited to:
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Meeting with the child to determine needs and resources
Observing the child in current placement to determine the appropriateness of the placement
Observing the child wit the parents and/or caregivers
Contacting parents, family members, and foster parents
Maintaining regular contact with the social worker and periodic review of the records
Contacting educational/daycare providers
Contacting professionals providing services to the child, such as therapists and medical providers
Attending agency reviews, conferences, and other forums where the child’s case is discussed
Gathering and synthesizing records and information
Your investigation will lead you to certain conclusions about what interventions and services the child
needs to have in place. Additionally, the GAL might conclude that certain services are necessary for parents or other caregivers in order to ensure that, as soon as possible, the child is in a safe, permanent home
and court involvement is no longer necessary. Every action of the GAL volunteer should promote the ultimate goal of achieving permanence for the child. As GALs monitor their cases, effective and thorough
child advocacy continues and includes:
Monthly contact with the child
Regular, on-going communication between volunteer and supervisor
Case consultation with the Attorney Advocate when appropriate
Continuously investigating to determine the facts, needs, and available resources within the family and
the community to meet those needs
 Making recommendations regarding the child’s best interests, including the child’s wishes
 Presenting a fact-based, child focused report to the court
 Testifying in court about your investigation, conclusions, and recommendations
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When you develop and follow through on your plan of investigation, ascertain facts and circumstances
and recommend needed service, maintain your monthly contacts and visits, and thoroughly monitor your
case as it moves forward, you are providing effective child advocacy. Achieving permanence for children
in the shortest time possible in safe, nurturing, and stable homes is the ultimate goal of Guardians ad Litem in their work with children. Thank you for your dedication as you strive to provide sound, effective
advocacy for children in need.
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How Can Guardians ad Litem
Best Advocate for Youth in Care?
Many teens in foster care are unprepared to live independently when they reach adulthood. Former foster
youths are at greater risk of incarceration and poverty; young women formerly in care are more likely to
become pregnant as teenagers. How can Guardian ad Litem Advocate help older youths learn skills and
access resources that will help them make a successful transition into adulthood?
Identify opportunities for teens to make decisions: Making wise decisions is a skill that youths can
learn through practice. Teenagers need the opportunity to make decisions. Even poor decisions can be a
learning experience.
Be future-focused: Youths in foster car e often hear about their mistakes. Relationships with adults
may feel punitive and judgmental instead of supportive. Guardian ad Litem advocates can ask questions
such as “How can we move forward?” and “How can I help you get where you want to be?”
Encourage teens to voice their needs and their hopes: Ensur e that youths ar e given the opportunity
to participate in meetings regarding their care, when appropriate. Keep them informed about court; encourage them to participate in court hearings. Let them know that you will include their wishes in your
court report.
Foster healthy connections to adults and other youths: Successful teenager s need suppor tive r elationships. Healthy connections in the community might include teachers, coaches, family, friends, or
mentors at youth-serving organizations. Assist youths in making and maintaining connections to family
members. Identify organizations and activities for youth participation and connection such as LINKS
groups or SaySo, YMCA and 4-H programs.
Expect ups and downs; don’t get sidetracked: Know that difficult times ar e likely to occur; they are
part of being a teenager, especially for teens in out-of-homes care. Remember to stay focused on the future. Guardian ad Litem advocates can help older youths gain access to service, learn life skills, be connected to other people, and reach their goals.
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Wake County Human Services’
LINKS October Events
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As a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Advocate, you have access to confidential information about children and people involved in those children’s lives. Please keep in mind that as a GAL advocate, you may not
release this information except to the child, GAL Program staff, the social worker, the court, and others as instructed by law or local court
rules. There are strict guidelines about who can have access to confidential information.
By law, GAL volunteers must keep all information regarding the case confidential and
make no disclosure, except by court orders or unless provided by law.
When in doubt, discuss any confidentiality concerns with your Guardian ad Litem Program
Supervisor.
Recommended Readings:
This Is Mine: My Story, My Life
By: Malinda Phillips
On Their Own, What Happens to Kids When They Age Out of The Foster Care System
By: Martha Shrik and Gary Stangler
Someone There for Me: Everyday Heroes Through the Eyes of Teens in Foster Care
By: National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association and Antwone Fisher
Orphans of The Living: Stories of America’s Children in Foster Care
By: Jenifer Toth
Visiting Day
By: Jacqueline Woodson
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Up Coming Events
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Swearing-In Ceremony: Cour tr oom
4-C Wake County Courthouse at 8:45AM.
Wednesday, October 15th, Guardian ad Litem Supper Club: Will be held at Winston’s Gr ille located at 6401 Falls of Neuse Rd. Raleigh, 27615. Reservations are for 6:15 PM. All our volunteers,
volunteers-in-training, staff, friends of the program and their spouses/significant others are invited.
Friday, October 17, 2014-In-Service Training: Resources and Options Available for Teen Youth
in Care. Pr esenter , Michelle Blackmon, Pr ogr am Coor dinator with the Wake Tech Community
college’s Fostering Bright Futures, Whitney Robertson, Program Supervisor with Youth Villages’
Transitional Program, and Kim Herrington, Supervisor of Teen Unit with the Wake County Human
Services.
Special thanks to the Wake County Friends of Guardian ad Litem Association for their ongoing support of children in need. For more information regarding the Friends of Wake County
Guardian ad Litem Association please visit their website. www.friendsofwakegal.org
Special thanks to those volunteers who attended our September 19, 2014 InService Training: Service Available to Families and Children through the
SAFEChild Advocacy Center. We also would like to express our appreciation
to Christin DeRonja who facilitated this informative training.
Happy Birthday to Our Volunteer Child Advocates!
Chantelle
Sandra
Elaine
Patricia
Maryann
Kathryn
Ericka
Kathleen
Rebecca
Richard
Jan
Kimberly
Ann
Kristine
Kristin
Tammie
Babs
Ginnette
Kelly
Elizabeth
Paige
Mindy
Karissa
Susan
Marla
Andrew
Evelyn
LaCusia
Sam
Amy
Rhonda
Kevin
Diane
Kimberly
Elizabeth
Kristin
Nancy
Gayle
Terry
Delilah
Libia
Andrea