Today's speaker was Kelley Leaf, a supervisor in the Hennepin County Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) program, where she has worked for 16 years. She is also the current president of CASA MN, the non-profit associated with the GAL program. She has a master’s degree in social work and is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker. A GAL is a child's advocate in court. They work collaboratively with other professionals in the court system. They consider a child's culture, race, gender, religion, physical, mental and emotional needs as well as short and long term concerns to help make recommendations for the child's best interest. A GAL is required by law to be appointed in all child protection cases in court in MN. In most cases, these individuals are volunteers but must meet a number of requirements and participate in training sessions in order to take on this important role. The GAL is expected to attend every court hearing, may testify as a witness. and make reports and recommendations for the cases assigned to them. Judges have tough decisions to make in these cases and they need eyes and ears in the community to see what is really happening with these kids.