The Administrative Office of the Courts has set July 1, 2007, as the deadline after which only guardians ad litem (GALs) certified by the state Guardian ad Litem Board will be appointed.

The GAL Board was created by legislation in 2000 to take over the duties of training, certifying, and disciplining GALs in New Hampshire court proceedings. The board statute was revised in 2002, 2004 and 2006 to clarify the duties and authority of the board. Over the past few years, the GAL Board has been developing its regulations and has begun conducting certification programs for new GALs.

The GAL Board now is shifting its emphasis to conducting certification training for those experienced GALs who have not gone through the board-certification process, to ensure that in the future all certified GALs will have undergone the same training.

Training takes place at the NH Technical Institute in Concord, and additional training sessions will be conducted during the year. (See schedule for fall sessions, or visit http://www.nh.gov/gal/training.htm.)

In order to become board-certified, all GALs must participate in the required training (including the general/overview GAL Training [GAL 102 for experienced GALs]) and at least one board-commissioned, specific training session. Then, they must apply for certification to the board after training is completed.

For more information, visit the GAL Board Web site at: http://www.nh.gov/gal/.

Guardian ad Litem Training Schedule

Course Title                                                                               Dates/Times

GAL 102: Advanced Topics for Guardians ad Litem                                      September 8      and       September 9       

Prerequisite:  Experience PLUS Court sponsored training.                              3 – 7 PM                    8:30 AM – 5 PM

                                                                                                                                (Must take both sessions)

GAL Superior 102:  Advanced Topics in Parenting Rights                          September 16

and Responsibilities/ Criminal Cases for GAL Work.                                      8:30 AM – 5 PM

Prerequisite: Experience PLUS  Court sponsored training.                                                              

GAL 102: Advanced Topics for Guardians ad Litem                                   September 22     and      September 23

Prerequisite:  Experience PLUS Court sponsored trainings.                         3 – 7 PM                     8:30 AM – 5 PM

                                                                                                                                (Must take both sessions)

GAL Probate 102:  Advanced Topics in Guardianship,                               September 30         

Termination of Parental Rights, and Adoption for GAL work.                  8:30 AM – 5 PM

Prerequisite: Experience PLUS  Court sponsored training.                          

GAL District 102:  Advanced Topics in Abuse and Neglect,                      October 13         and     October 14

CHINS and Delinquency cases for GAL work.                                              3 – 7 PM                    8:30 AM – 5 PM

Prerequisite:  Experience PLUS  Court sponsored training.                          (Must take both sessions)

GAL Superior 102:  Advanced Topics in Parenting Rights                           October 21 

and Responsibilities/ Criminal Cases for GAL Work.                                     8:30 AM – 5 PM

Prerequisite: Experience PLUS Court sponsored training.                                                              

GAL Probate 102:  Advanced Topics in Guardianship,                               October 28                

Termination of Parental Rights, and Adoption for GAL work.                   8:30 AM – 5 PM

Prerequisite: Experience PLUS  Court sponsored training.                                            

GAL District 102:  Advanced Topics in Abuse and Neglect,                     November 3    and     November 4

CHINS and Delinquency cases for GAL work.                                              3 – 7 PM               8:30 AM – 5 PM

Prerequisite:  Experience PLUS  Court sponsored training.                          (Must take both sessions)

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