2025 AFCC Fall Virtual Conference Evaluation
Workshop 6

Workshop 6: So Much More Than the Voice of a Child: The Roles of the Guardian ad Litem in Family Court

The voice of the child can be critical for fully understanding the child’s perspective about their family’s path through family law proceedings toward an appropriate parenting plan in the best interests of that child. Guardians ad Litem (GALs) have slightly different roles across jurisdictions but offer so much more than just a regurgitation of a child’s view and desired outcome. The GAL is often the voice of reason and a reminder for feuding parents to refocus on the needs of the children, a quasi-evaluator who takes a behind-the scenes look at what is happening in the life of the child, and an advocate for outcomes that are truly in the child’s best interests. Join two seasoned GALs to explore the many functions associated with this role, and how to maximize the benefits for children and their families.

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* 1. The content of the presentation was consistent with the abstract in the conference brochure

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

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* 2. Based on the content of this session, I am able to: (1=Strongly disagree, 5=Strongly agree)

	1	2	3	4	5
1. Explain the roles and functions of a Guardian Ad Litem	1. Explain the roles and functions of a Guardian Ad Litem 1	1. Explain the roles and functions of a Guardian Ad Litem 2	1. Explain the roles and functions of a Guardian Ad Litem 3	1. Explain the roles and functions of a Guardian Ad Litem 4	1. Explain the roles and functions of a Guardian Ad Litem 5
2. Explore the practical differences in the use of Guardian Ad Litem to represent best interest of children vs. those who represent the children themselves.	2. Explore the practical differences in the use of Guardian Ad Litem to represent best interest of children vs. those who represent the children themselves. 1	2. Explore the practical differences in the use of Guardian Ad Litem to represent best interest of children vs. those who represent the children themselves. 2	2. Explore the practical differences in the use of Guardian Ad Litem to represent best interest of children vs. those who represent the children themselves. 3	2. Explore the practical differences in the use of Guardian Ad Litem to represent best interest of children vs. those who represent the children themselves. 4	2. Explore the practical differences in the use of Guardian Ad Litem to represent best interest of children vs. those who represent the children themselves. 5
3. Discuss strategies for maximizing the role of a GAL in family law cases.	3. Discuss strategies for maximizing the role of a GAL in family law cases. 1	3. Discuss strategies for maximizing the role of a GAL in family law cases. 2	3. Discuss strategies for maximizing the role of a GAL in family law cases. 3	3. Discuss strategies for maximizing the role of a GAL in family law cases. 4	3. Discuss strategies for maximizing the role of a GAL in family law cases. 5

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* 3. Please rate presenter: Dawn Smith, JD (1=Poor, 5=Excellent)

	1	2	3	4	5
Level of knowledge and expertise	Level of knowledge and expertise 1	Level of knowledge and expertise 2	Level of knowledge and expertise 3	Level of knowledge and expertise 4	Level of knowledge and expertise 5
Teaching ability	Teaching ability 1	Teaching ability 2	Teaching ability 3	Teaching ability 4	Teaching ability 5
Maintained my interest	Maintained my interest 1	Maintained my interest 2	Maintained my interest 3	Maintained my interest 4	Maintained my interest 5
Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions	Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions 1	Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions 2	Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions 3	Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions 4	Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions 5

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* 4. Please rate presenter: Daniel Bloom, JD (1=Poor, 5=Excellent)

	1	2	3	4	5
Level of knowledge and expertise	Level of knowledge and expertise 1	Level of knowledge and expertise 2	Level of knowledge and expertise 3	Level of knowledge and expertise 4	Level of knowledge and expertise 5
Teaching ability	Teaching ability 1	Teaching ability 2	Teaching ability 3	Teaching ability 4	Teaching ability 5
Maintained my interest	Maintained my interest 1	Maintained my interest 2	Maintained my interest 3	Maintained my interest 4	Maintained my interest 5
Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions	Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions 1	Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions 2	Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions 3	Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions 4	Was responsive to questions, comments and opinions 5

2025 AFCC Fall Virtual Conference Evaluation
Workshop 6

Question Title

* 1. The content of the presentation was consistent with the abstract in the conference brochure

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* 2. Based on the content of this session, I am able to: (1=Strongly disagree, 5=Strongly agree)

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* 3. Please rate presenter: Dawn Smith, JD (1=Poor, 5=Excellent)

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* 4. Please rate presenter: Daniel Bloom, JD (1=Poor, 5=Excellent)

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* 5. Please rate this session presentation overall (1=Poor, 5=Excellent)

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* 6. How much did you learn as a result of this CE program? (1=Very little, 5=Great deal)

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* 7. Information presented in this session reflected the most current evidence on this topic (1=Disagree, 5=Agree)

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* 8. How useful was the content of this CE program for your practice or other professional development (1=Not useful, 5=Extremely useful)

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* 9. Additional Comments