Dependency
The Kitsap County Juvenile Court has
jurisdiction regarding dependency cases (children who are victims of
abuse, neglect or abandonment). The Kitsap County Juvenile Department is
appointed as Guardian ad Litem. The law mandates the appointment of
a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) by a judge or commissioner in all dependency
cases unless there is good cause (RCW 13.34.100). Guardian ad Litem
means a person, appointed by the court, to represent the best interests of
a child in dependency proceedings. The Guardian ad Litem is a party
to the case. A Guardian ad Litem, either a paid staff or volunteer
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), is trained pursuant to statutory
requirements.
The duties of a Guardian ad Litem include:
| a. |
monitoring the conditions that led to the filing of
the dependency; |
b.
|
representing and advocating for the best interests of
the child, which includes a review and comment concerning services
recommended by the State Division of Children and Family Services
and placement of the child (in the family home, foster care or
relative care); |
| c. |
collecting relevant information about the child's
situation; |
d.
|
monitoring court orders for compliance and bringing to
the court's attention any change in circumstances that may require a
modification of the court's orders; and |
e.
|
making recommendations to the court regarding
permanency for the child's long-term future, whether the child
returns home, is in permanent relative care or is adopted. |
The Guardian ad Litem has on-going contacts
with the child and family and other individuals and other professionals
involved with the family. This may include contacts with hospitals,
schools, state social service agencies, health care providers,
psychologists, psychiatrists, law enforcement agencies, substance abuse treatment
providers and mental health providers and agencies. The Guardian ad
Litem has the authority to inspect and copy any records relating to the
child or children involved in the case, as permitted by law.
|
