In 2006 OPEGA ( Office of Program Evaluation and Government
Accountability ) produced a report highlighting some of the problems
with the Guardian ad litem program in Maine. What OPEGA highlighted back
in 2006 for Maine are issues that sadly can be seen in many states
across the country.
One of the audit findings by OPEGA was that there is a lack of
compliance, performance controls and evaluation systems. The Judicial
Branch has not been competent when it comes to oversight or performance
monitoring in the 30+ years prior to the report. Six years later we
find the Judicial Branch still without any quality controls in place to
monitor and evaluate Guardians ad litem. There is no mechanism to
identify GALs that are not complying with requirements or who are not
involved in the lives of the child(ren). OPEGA also recommended the
establishment of an independent oversight board that would ask for
feedback on GAL performance. Being able to give feedback and having a
place where this feedback, good or bad, is available for consumers would
help in the matter of oversight and management. An Angie’s list of
sorts would weed out under performing GALs or limit their business.
Those that perform to standards would be rewarded for their ethics and
behavior.
It was 30+ years before OPEGA investigated and reported on this issue.
Six years later the situation has not changed except that there has been
6 more years of damage to Maine's families and children. How much
longer will Maine's children have to wait for change to come? If we wait
for the Judicial Branch to bring about change it may be another 40
years. Can we wait that long?
If you want to read a summarized copy of the 2006 OPEGA report click here.
A copy of the report done in 2012 – the Power of the Powerless which covers many of the same issues can be found here.
If you are or know someone who has had issues with a Guardian ad litem
please contact us for support at NationalGALalert@gmail.com. We can also
be found on Facebook.
