In an effort to assess our department’s staffing and volunteer effectiveness and costs, the Guardian ad Litem Program partnered with the state’s Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) and its Management Analysis and Development (MAD) team.  Their independent consultants analyzed the relative costs and effectiveness of using paid employees and volunteers in the Guardian ad Litem role.

 

Their analysis was recently completed as of September 30, 2023, and the comprehensive report summary can be found at the link above.  In short: MMB’s MAD team ultimately recommends the Guardian ad Litem Program end the use of volunteers in the Guardian ad Litem role and instead consider other ways to benefit from volunteers and their time, passion, and expertise.  Study context and findings are outlined in the report summary. 

 

The Guardian ad Litem Board and staff will be conducting public presentations and listening sessions to explain this report, as well as to gather comments and feedback from stakeholders in our community.  Those listening sessions will be held: 

 

• 10/17/23      In-Person Listening Session  11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. 

                       Minnesota Judicial Center, 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

                       St. Paul MN 55155, Rm. G-06

 

• 10/17/23      Virtual Listening Session        1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

                                     Click here to join the meeting 

 

 

The MMB report will be presented and then comments from stakeholders and the public will be taken.  These listening sessions are not intended to be interactive, but a time for comments to be made by stakeholders and the public.  Depending on the number of speakers at each listening session, individual comment time may be limited.  Comments can also be submitted by filling out the online form.  All comments received from the listening sessions and in writing will be provided to the Guardian ad Litem Board of Directors.  Written comments must be submitted no later than November 20, 2023.

 

Please email Tami Baker-Olson, Guardian ad Litem Program Administrator, with any additional questions related to the Public Listening Sessions. Tami.BakerOlson@courts.state.mn.us