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(...)

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(...)

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(...)

A uniform law enacted by every state, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands that governs the movement of children in and out of a state for adoption, foster care, relative placement or residential delinquent placement. It also ensures that the placement is not “contrary to the(...)

ICWA applies when an Indian child is involved in child custody proceeding.  The act states that this law “is the policy of this nation to protect the best interest of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and families by the establishment of minimum federal(...)

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.

ICWA applies when an Indian child is involved in child custody proceeding.  The act states that this law “is the policy of this nation to protect the best interest of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and families by the establishment of minimum federal(...)

Situations in which arrangements are made by the parent to place their child with a kinship caregiver.

The intermediary is the person or agency responsible for arranging the meeting of a child and adoptive family.

Required document prepared by the agency worker in adoption finalization that informs the court of the identity of the intermediary, the intermediary’s role in the placement, facts about the child’s parents and adoptive parents and the child’s placement history.

A uniform law enacted by every state, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands that governs the movement of children in and out of a state for adoption, foster care, relative placement or residential delinquent placement. It also ensures that the placement is not “contrary to the(...)

An individual 21 years of age or older who is one of the following: (1) A godparent of the child as recognized by an organized church. (2) A member of the child's tribe, nation or tribal organization. (3) An individual with a significant, positive relationship with the child or family.