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parent/youth input in evaluating GAL programs
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<DIV>Recently my state completed a review of its lay GAL program conducted by
outside consultants. The program grew over several years from beginnings as a
pilot project, and has not developed formal mission, policy, and evaluation
statements. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Stakeholders contacted in this review included the professionals and GALs
who work within the legal system. There is great interest in obtaining input
from parents and youth, but there is also a need to identify measures for doing
this that are cost and time effective. One suggestion I have made is to
identify outside entities that often become involved with the same
families involved in child welfare (not necessarily reflected in case
plans)--rape and abuse centers, safe-exchange/visitation centers, organizations
working on poverty issues, diversity organizations, shelters, advocacy
organizations, etc. I also suggested incorporating parent and youth evaluations
into the process while these people are involved with the system. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Looking for other ideas that have been tried, including "cheap and dirty"
initial efforts to get a handle on how GAL programs are subjectively experienced
by those most affected by them. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Sheri McMahon</DIV></BODY></HTML>
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