Glossary of Terms

The guardian ad litem is appointed to represent the best interests and legal interests of a child involved in a dependency proceeding and to develop recommendations regarding the child’s best interests.  GALs represent the best interests and protect the legal interests of children in all phases of child welfare court proceedings.  To do so, a GAL may meet with each child, interview the parents and caretakers, and review any relevant court, psychological and school records. In certain situations, the court will appoint a GAL and counsel for the child.  In that case, the GAL represents the best interests of the child, and counsel represents the legal interests and express wishes of the child.

When any party, or the court itself, seeks a change in the current permanency/placement goal identified for the child; goals include reunification with their family; placement with an adoptive family; placement with a legal custodian /permanent legal custodian ; placement with a fit and willing relative; or placement in another planned permanent living arrangement.

General Protective Services

People who fulfill some of the responsibilities of the legal parent role, although the courts or birth parents may continue to hold some jurisdiction of the child. Guardians do not have the same reciprocal rights of inheritance as birth or adoptive parents. Legal guardianship ends at the child’s majority or by order of the court.

The guardian ad litem is appointed to represent the best interests and legal interests of a child involved in a dependency proceeding and to develop recommendations regarding the child’s best interests.  GALs represent the best interests and protect the legal interests of children in all phases of child welfare court proceedings.  To do so, a GAL may meet with each child, interview the parents and caretakers, and review any relevant court, psychological and school records. In certain situations, the court will appoint a GAL and counsel for the child.  In that case, the GAL represents the best interests of the child, and counsel represents the legal interests and express wishes of the child.

This term refers to services designed to help eligible children and youth involved with the county children and youth agency acquire the skills they need to successfully transition to adulthood.

This term refers to services designed to help eligible children and youth involved with the county children and youth agency acquire the skills they need to successfully transition to adulthood.