2026 015 RFQ _ Guardian Ad Litem _ April 7 20.pdf

SPALDING COUNTY, GEORGIA

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

2026 015 GUARDIAN AD LITEM (GAL) SERVICES

Issue Date: April 9, 2026 Qualifications Due: May 12, 2026 (see Section 9 – Procurement Schedule) Submission Type: Hard Copy – One (1) original and three (3) copies. Sealed Submittals

Executive Summary Spalding County, Georgia is issuing this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to establish a pool of highly qualified Guardian ad Litem (GAL) providers to serve the Juvenile Court of Spalding County. Guardians ad Litem play a critical role within the juvenile justice system by representing the best interests of children in dependency, delinquency, and competency-related proceedings, and by providing the Court with independent, objective assessments to inform judicial decision-making.

Through this RFQ, the County seeks attorneys and other statutorily eligible professionals who demonstrate proven experience in juvenile law and child-welfare systems, required Guardian ad Litem training under Georgia law, and the professional judgment necessary to navigate complex, confidential, and emotionally sensitive matters. Respondents must show a clear understanding of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relevant Juvenile Court procedures, and developmental and trauma-informed principles that affect children and families involved in the court system.

This RFQ emphasizes not only professional qualifications and experience, but also consistency, accountability, and reliability in the delivery of Guardian ad Litem services. The County has incorporated structured expectations for data-driven reporting and performance measurement, recognizing the importance of transparency, workload management, and continuous improvement within the Juvenile Court system. Respondents are required to demonstrate their ability to track and report caseload activity, case duration, hearing participation, and other GAL service metrics through dashboard-style reporting, while respecting confidentiality and judicial authority.

In addition, the RFQ establishes clear expectations for quality and professional performance reporting, including timeliness of court reports, compliance with court-ordered deadlines, responsiveness to judicial directives, ongoing professional development, and disciplined caseload management. These measures are intended to support informed court oversight, identify training or capacity needs, and ensure that Guardian ad Litem services consistently advance timely permanency and child-focused outcomes.

Through this solicitation, Spalding County intends to create a qualified Guardian ad Litem pool from which the Juvenile Court may make appointments on a case-by-case basis. Compensation will be addressed through subsequent agreements, approved rate structures, or court orders as appropriate. Ultimately, this RFQ supports the County’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of children, strengthening the effectiveness of the Juvenile Court system, and maintaining public confidence in the administration of juvenile justice.

RFQ – Guardian Ad Litem 2 of 6 | P a g e

SPALDING COUNTY, GEORGIA

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

GUARDIAN AD LITEM (GAL) SERVICES

Issue Date: April 9, 2026 Qualifications Due: May 12, 2026 (see Section 9 – Procurement Schedule) Submission Type: Hard Copy – One (1) original and three (3) copies. Sealed Submittals

1. PURPOSE AND INTENT

Spalding County, Georgia (“County”) is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified attorneys and other statutorily eligible professionals to serve as Guardians ad Litem (GALs) in matters before the Juvenile Court of Spalding County.

The purpose of this Request for Qualifications is to establish a qualified pool of Guardian ad Litem providers who may be appointed by the Juvenile Court to represent the best interests of children in dependency, delinquency, and competency-related proceedings, in accordance with Georgia law and Juvenile Court standards.

Through this RFQ, the County seeks GAL providers who demonstrate:

• A comprehensive understanding of Georgia’s juvenile justice and child-welfare systems

• The ability to perform independent, objective investigations

• Sound professional judgment grounded in child development and trauma-informed principles

• Ethical independence, confidentiality, and reliability in highly sensitive matters

This RFQ emphasizes professional qualifications, training, experience, accountability, and performance consistency. Compensation will be addressed through subsequent agreements, approved rate schedules, or court orders, as applicable.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES – GUARDIAN AD LITEM (GAL)

Guardian ad Litem services shall be performed only upon appointment by the Juvenile Court of Spalding County and in accordance with Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, applicable Juvenile Court Rules, and all lawful court orders. The GAL’s role is to provide independent, objective assessment and recommendations to assist the Court in determining and protecting the best interests of the child.

2.1 Case Types and Legal Proceedings

Guardian ad Litem providers may be appointed to serve in the following Juvenile Court matters, as determined by the Court:

A. Dependency Proceedings

Including, but not limited to:

• Abuse, neglect, and deprivation matters

• Shelter care and adjudicatory hearings

RFQ – Guardian Ad Litem 3 of 6 | P a g e

• Reunification, permanency, and placement determinations

• Custody, guardianship, and termination-related proceedings

B. Children in Need of Services (CHINS)

GAL services may be required in CHINS cases involving status offenses where a child’s behavior or circumstances require court intervention but do not constitute a delinquent act. Responsibilities may include:

• Evaluating the child’s needs, family dynamics, and service gaps

• Assessing whether community-based services or court supervision are in the child’s best interests

• Participating in hearings related to informal adjustments, consent orders, or formal adjudication

• Recommending services, conditions, or dispositional alternatives that prioritize safety, accountability, and family stabilization

C. Delinquency – Competency Proceedings

Service as Guardian ad Litem in delinquent competency matters pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-11-381, including:

• Assessment of the child’s functional competency and developmental capacity

• Review of psychological or behavioral health evaluations

• Participation in hearings addressing restoration, treatment, or placement

2.2 Core GAL Responsibilities

Guardian ad Litem services shall include, but are not limited to, the following duties:

• Representation of the best interests of the child, independent of the expressed wishes of the child or the positions of other parties

• Careful review of pleadings, reports, evaluations, and other court-submitted materials

• Participation in all court proceedings as ordered, including adjudicatory, dispositional, review, and permanency hearings

• Preparation and submission of written GAL reports containing factual findings, analysis, and best-interest recommendations

• Oral presentation of findings and recommendations to the Court when requested or appropriate

2.3 Investigation and Information Gathering

The GAL shall conduct independent, thorough, and ongoing investigations sufficiently to form informed recommendations, which may include:

• Personal contact with the child, conducted in a manner appropriate to age, development, and trauma considerations

• Interviews with parents, guardians, caregivers, relatives, service providers, educators, and other relevant parties

• Review of records, as permitted by law, including:

RFQ – Guardian Ad Litem 4 of 6 | P a g e o DFCS case files and safety assessments o Educational records and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), if applicable o Medical, mental health, and substance use treatment records

• Consideration of placement stability, educational continuity, health needs, and permanency timelines

2.4 Court and Multidisciplinary Participation

GAL providers shall actively participate in the broader Juvenile Court process, including attendance at:

• Court hearings and judicial conferences

• Permanency planning meetings and case reviews

• Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings

• Staffing sessions involving DFCS, service providers, and court personnel

Participation shall be consistent, prepared, and reflective of informed engagement with the case.

2.5 Advocacy Approach and Professional Conduct

Guardian ad Litem providers are expected to:

• Exercise professional judgment grounded in child development, trauma-informed practice, and best-interest standards

• Maintain neutrality and objectivity, avoiding advocacy for any individual, agency, or outcome inconsistent with the child’s best interests

• Communicate respectfully and professionally with the Court, parties, and stakeholders

• Adhere strictly to confidentiality requirements, ethical obligations, and court-imposed limitations

• Avoid conflicts of interest and maintain independence from parties and agencies involved in the matter

3. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY

3.1 Professional Eligibility

Respondents must:

• Be licensed attorneys in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia, or

• Be otherwise statutorily eligible to serve as a Guardian ad Litem under Georgia law

• Meet all legal, training, and court-qualification requirements applicable to GAL appointments

3.2 Training and Experience

Respondents must demonstrate:

• Completion of required Guardian ad Litem training under Georgia law and applicable court rules

• Experience in child-welfare, dependency, delinquency, or juvenile advocacy

• Familiarity with:

RFQ – Guardian Ad Litem 5 of 6 | P a g e o Child development o Trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) o Juvenile Court processes and timelines

3.3 Professional Capacity

Respondents must demonstrate:

• Independence from parties and agencies involved in Juvenile Court matters

• The ability to manage confidential, emotionally complex, and time-sensitive cases

• Organizational capacity to manage assigned caseloads without compromising quality

4. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS – REQUIRED CONTENT

Each Statement of Qualifications shall include, at a minimum:

1. Professional Background and Credentials o Licensure status, legal or professional background, and years of experience

2. GAL and Juvenile Court Experience o Description of prior GAL appointments, case types, and scope of responsibility

3. Training and Certifications o Documentation of GAL training and relevant continuing education

4. Availability and Caseload Capacity o Geographic availability and anticipated capacity for appointments

5. Professional References o References familiar with GAL or child-advocacy work

5. COMPENSATION AND APPOINTMENT STRUCTURE

Spalding County anticipates establishing a qualified Guardian ad Litem pool through this RFQ.

• GAL appointments shall be made on a case-by-case basis by the Juvenile Court

• Compensation may be:

o Established through subsequent agreements, o Paid pursuant to approved rate schedules, or o Ordered directly by the Court

Compensation information is not required at this stage unless subsequently requested.

6. DATA-DRIVEN CASELOAD AND ACTIVITY DASHBOARD

6.1 Intent

The County seeks data-driven insight into Guardian ad Litem activity to support transparency, accountability, workload management, and system planning.

6.2 Required GAL Activity Metrics

RFQ – Guardian Ad Litem 6 of 6 | P a g e

Respondents must demonstrate the ability to provide dashboard-style summary reporting, updated at least quarterly, including:

• Number of GAL cases assigned

• Case types (dependency, delinquency, competency)

• Active vs. closed cases

• Average case duration

• Number of hearings attended per case

• Number of written reports submitted

• Frequency of GAL-child contacts

• Permanency or disposition outcomes where applicable

Respondents shall describe their tracking systems, reporting tools, and data quality controls.

7. QUALITY AND PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REPORTING

7.1 Intent

While Guardians ad Litem do not represent clients in a traditional attorney-client relationship, Spalding County and the Juvenile Court require objective measures of professional quality, reliability, and consistency to ensure that GAL services support timely case resolution, informed judicial decision-making, and the best interests of children.

This section establishes expectations for performance measurement and continuous improvement, without interfering with GAL independence or judicial discretion.

7.2 Required Performance Indicators and Metrics

Respondents shall describe how they monitor, measure, and ensure compliance with the following performance standards. At a minimum, reporting shall address:

Timeliness and Responsiveness

• Percentage of written GAL reports submitted by court-ordered deadlines

• Average time between appointment and initial child contact

• Average time between appointment and submission of first report

• Responsiveness to court directives, inquiries, and scheduling changes

Court Participation and Engagement

• Attendance rate at scheduled hearings and staffings

• Participation in permanency planning meetings and reviews

• Frequency of direct GAL communication with the Court, DFCS, or Guardians ad Litem coordinators

Quality of Work Product

• Consistency and completeness of written reports

RFQ – Guardian Ad Litem 7 of 6 | P a g e

• Use of fact-based analysis tied to best-interest standards

• Incorporation of child-specific information (education, health, placement stability)

Professional Development and Compliance

• Completion of required annual training and continuing education

• Participation in supplemental training related to trauma-informed practice or child welfare

• Compliance with all applicable statutes, court rules, and ethical requirements

Caseload Management

• Average caseload per GAL

• Identification of caseload thresholds to prevent overload

• Use of reassignment or case-balancing mechanisms, if applicable

7.3 Performance Reporting Format and Use

Performance metrics shall be summarized in a structured performance dashboard or written performance report, provided:

• On at least an annual basis, or

• Upon reasonable request by the County or Juvenile Court

These reports may be used by the County and the Court for:

• Program evaluation

• Identification of training needs

• Planning for workload distribution

• Informing renewal, continued participation, or removal from the qualified GAL pool

All performance reporting shall respect confidentiality requirements and judicial authority.

8. GENERAL CONDITIONS AND COMPLIANCE

All submissions are subject to Spalding County’s standard procurement requirements, including:

• Insurance and indemnification provisions

• Affidavit of Acknowledgment and Non-Collusion

• Compliance with O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91 (E-Verify), if applicable

• Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws

All work products are subject to Juvenile Court rules and confidentiality protections.

9. PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE AND TIMING

• RFQ Issued: Thursday, April 9, 2026

• Weeks 1–3 (April 9 – April 30):

RFQ – Guardian Ad Litem 8 of 6 | P a g e o Written questions accepted. Send questions to Mitzy Campbell at mcampbell@spaldingcounty.com o Questions and answers issued weekly by addendum

• Final Day for Questions: Thursday, April 30, 2026

• Submissions Due: Tuesday, May 12, 2026 by 2:00pm. Send to the attention of Mitzy Campbell, Spalding County Courthouse Annex, 119 E Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223. Please provide one

(1) original and three (3) hard copies. Sealed submittals.

• Public Opening of Submittals Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM (EST) Spalding County Courthouse Annex 119 E Solomon Street Griffin, GA 30223 mailto:mcampbell@spaldingcounty.com