Legal Training for Dependency, Neglect and Abuse Cases

(Formerly Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program)

The Legal Training for Dependency, Neglect and Abuse Cases Program prepares attorneys to provide legal representation to abused and neglected children throughout the state. The Administrative Office of the Courts has overseen this training seminar program since 1999. The goal of the program is to produce highly qualified guardians ad litem by offering training sessions, providing educational materials and serving as a comprehensive resource.

More than 6,000 Kentucky children are in state custody because they have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Federal and state laws mandate that these children be placed in permanent homes. Guardians ad litem play an important role in ensuring that children receive fair and expeditious attention from the judicial system and are placed in appropriate homes in a timely manner.

The Administrative Office of the Courts Department of Family and Juvenile Services is accepting registrants for Legal Training for Dependency, Neglect and Abuse Cases seminars. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited. Attendees can earn up to 6.25 credit hours toward their continuing legal education requirement, including one hour of ethics.

The training seminar is also available to people actively involved in dependency, neglect and abuse cases. Registration is open to Citizen Foster Care Review Board members, Department of Community Based Services staff, and CASA workers. Up to 6.8 hours of Continuing Education Units approved by the Kentucky Board of Social Workers are available.

The training curriculum gives a child’s attorney an overview of Kentucky statutory and case law. The course also focuses on the federal law that requires reasonable efforts to keep families together and provide children with safe and permanent homes.
 
The AOC and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services offer a Legal Training for Dependency, Neglect and Abuse Cases training seminar at several locations throughout Kentucky each year. The AOC has been responsible for preparing attorneys to provide legal representation to abused and neglected children throughout the commonwealth since 1999. The goal of the program is to produce highly qualified Guardians ad Litem by providing training sessions and educational materials and having the AOC serve as a comprehensive resource. 

The AOC will be offering Legal Training for Dependency, Neglect and Abuse Cases in the following locations:

April 19, 2012
Advanced Curriculum
Laurel County Judicial Center, Room 301
305 South Main St.
London, KY

May 10, 2012
Advanced Curriculum
Hopkins County Judicial Center
120 E. Center St.
Madisonville, KY

June 8, 2012
Basic Curriculum
Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Airport
2735 Crittenden Drive
Louisville, KY

Spring 2012 Seminar Brochure

There will be a $25.00 attendance fee to attorney’s seeking continuing legal education (CLE) credits and licensed social workers in private practice.  DCBS workers, CFCRB volunteers and CASA volunteers will be exempt.

To register, please send your training location and date, name, title, address, phone, email, Kentucky Bar Association number and check or money order made payable to the Kentucky State Treasure (with GAL in memo/notes section) to:

Administrative Office of the Courts
Attn: Eboni Blackford
100 Millcreek Park
Frankfort, KY 40601