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Domestic Violence Program

About The Program

Child victims of domestic violence have greater rates of behavioral, social, and emotional problems, cognitive delays, and long-term psychological effects such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. The Domestic Violence Program is the only program of its kind in the country and provides guardian ad litem teams to ensure the child’s best interests are addressed when a case is filed in Civil Protection Order Court.

Our goal is to protect children from further harm and prevent the family from entering the child welfare system.

 

Through This Program

An attorney guardian ad litem and another professional, such as a social worker, are assigned to every case where the parties to a civil protection order share children.

In cases involving domestic violence, we look at child safety as the paramount issue when considering when, and under what circumstances, children should be with each parent.

Our team is comprised of experts in objectively assessing family situations and making recommendations in the best interests of the kids involved.

Child Law Center GALs and social workers:

  • conduct investigations
  • report to the court with recommendations relating to parenting time and who gets to make decisions for the affected children
  • advocate for the children at court hearings
  • attempt to reach agreements between the parents that will be in the children’s best interests

The Children’s Law Center provides a critical first step in creating a safe and stable environment for kids and preventing future child welfare involvement.

[The Domestic Violence Program] is the only program of its kind in Colorado, making Denver the envy of all the other county courts. Due to allocation of resource restrictions it initially focused on the most difficult cases but recently has been expanded to cover virtually all cases where children are involved in Denver. All the Denver judges have enthusiastically applauded the program.

“
Judge Brian Campbell
WHAT:              Domestic Violence PROGRAM VOLUNTEER Guardian ad Litem Training
WHEN:              Thursday, June 13, 2019
                              9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
WHERE:            Holland & Hart LLP
                              555 17th St #3200
                              Denver, CO 80202
CLE CREDITS:   Have Been Requested/Amount TBD
 
The volunteer guardians ad litem (GALs) of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center’s Domestic Violence Program represent over 300 children in Civil Protection Order Court in Denver County every year.  These children have experienced domestic violence, both directly and indirectly.  Whether the parents are separating or do not live together, the threat of domestic violence is still present and continues to impact the child victims. 
 
Volunteer GALs ensure that these children and their parents remain safe following the issuance of a civil protection order.  Our GALs conduct investigations into the children’s best interests; file written reports with the court; make recommendations regarding care and control of the children; negotiate agreements between the parties; and represent the children’s best interests before the court.  Our GALs are the only people involved with the case whose sole focus is the children’s best interests.
 
We are the only program in the country providing this critical service to children. 
 
Contact Tommie Evans for more information or to SIGN UP TODAY.  Space is limited!
tevans@childlawcenter.org or (303) 692-1165
 
*PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING*
 
ATTORNEYS FLUENT IN SPANISH ARE ESPECIALLY NEEDED! 
 
For more information about the Children’s Law Center and other volunteer opportunities please visit us at: www.childlawcenter.org

Join us on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 from 1PM-2:30PM.  The training will be held at Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center, 1325 S. Colorado Blvd. in Conference Room B018, Denver CO 80222. The training is free and open to anyone currently serving crime victims in Denver County.         

Linda Ferry, Crime Victim Compensation Administrator for the Second Judicial District will present on Crime Victim Compensation. This presentation will provide an overview and understanding of what the Crime Victim Compensation can offer.  The agenda will include:

  • Statutory Foundation of the CVC program.
  • Decision making authority and program funding
  • Eligibility and services.
  • Board process.
  • Compliance.
  • Record Confidentiality

 

To register, please contact Tommie Evans at TEvans@childlawcenter.org or (303) 302/9929.

For more information about the Children’s Law Center and other volunteer opportunities please visit us at-

www.childlawcenter.org

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Learn How To Help

To help with a domestic violence situation, visit the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence website.
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