New Volunteer Advocate Pre-Service Training

Independent Study Quiz Phase 1 Independent Study Quiz

This is a multiple choice quiz covering the following modules from the Independent Study training: Dependency Overview Advocacy Child Development Normalcy Substance Abuse Please select the best answer from the possible options.

1) What is the Mission Statement of the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program? a. Working for a child’s best interest b. Making a difference one child at a time c. Prevent child abuse d. I am for the child

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However, our Mission Statement is The other answers were not bad as they tell what we do as advocates. However, our Mission Statement is “I am for the child”. Go to Question #2

2) FILL IN THE BLANK: Part of the GAL vision statement clearly states that, “To the fullest extent possible, this vision will be realized through _____ who will advocate as Guardians ad Litem for the children they serve.” a. Child welfare professionals b. Attorneys c. Volunteers d. Parents

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The GAL vision can only be realized through its Volunteers. THANK YOU for taking this first step to becoming a certified Volunteer. We appreciate you! Go to Question #3

 3) What are the 5 core values of the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program? a. Commitment to Children, Communication Built on Trust, Collective Empowerment, Collaboration, and Courage b. Commitment to Children, Communication Built on Trust, Collective Empowerment, Collaboration, and Courtesy c. Connection with Children, Communication Built on Trust, Collective Empowerment, Collaboration, and Courage d. Commitment to Children, Communication Built on Trust, Collective Empowerment, Courage, and Courtesy

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Yes! Our 5 core values are: Commitment to Children Communication Built on Trust Collective Empowerment Collaboration Courtesy Go to Question #4

4) FILL IN THE BLANK: According to Standard 2.A. of the GAL Program Standards, for the purpose of building a relationship with the child and gathering information that will allow the GAL to be the voice for the child in the courtroom and community, it is best practice for the GAL to visit the child a minimum of _________ every month. a. Once a week b. Two times c. Once d. None of the above.

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It is best practice to visit a child a Absolutely. It is best practice to visit a child a minimum of once a month. Go to Question #5

5) Who is the lead agency responsible for child protection and welfare in the state of Florida? a. Guardian Ad Litem Program (GAL Program) b. Department of Children and Families (DCF) c. Local Community Based Care Agency (CBC) d. Judicial Courts

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But…the lead state agency in Florida is Very Good. The GAL Program, CBC’s, Judicial Courts, and DCF are each part of the larger child welfare team. But…the lead state agency in Florida is the Department of Children and Families. Go to Question #6

6) Who is directly responsible for the local services needed to provide child protection services to children and families? a. Local Community Based Care agency b. Department of Children and Families c. Guardian ad Litem Program d. Community Providers

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Yes. CBC’s (Community Based Care agencies) across Florida are responsible for local child protection services. Go to Question #7

7) Who can report suspicions of child abuse or neglect to the Florida Abuse Hotline? a. Only law enforcement personnel b. Only Certified child protection professionals c. Only Teachers d. Anyone

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ANYONE can report suspicions of child abuse or neglect to the Florida Abuse Hotline. Very good! Go to Question #8

8) The members of the GAL Advocacy Team are: a. The GAL, CAM and CBI Attorney b. The GAL, CAM and the child c. The GAL, CAM, Circuit Director and CBI Attorney

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Members of the GAL Advocacy Team are the GAL, CAM and CBI Attorney. Great job! Members of the GAL Advocacy Team are the GAL, CAM and CBI Attorney. Go to Question #9

9) Which of the following statements most accurately reflects the nature of the GAL Team Model of Advocacy? a. The CBI Attorney has the final word when a disagreement rises within the team. b. The 3 members of the team are equal partners. c. The Volunteer GAL’s recommendations cannot be changed without the Circuit Director’s approval.

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The GAL Team made up of the CAM, CBI Attorney, and you the volunteer are equal partners. Go to Question #10

 10) TRUE OR FALSE? A GAL Volunteer serves as the “voice for the child” in judicial dependency proceedings and in helping the child navigate the foster/relative care system. TRUE FALSE

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You truly make such a difference! Without question, the GAL Volunteer is the “Voice for the child”. You truly make such a difference! Go to Question #11

11) Which of the following is not considered a responsibility of every GAL Volunteer? a. Complete extensive and independent research of each assigned case b. Monitor the case following a court hearing or decision to ensure court ordered services are provided for the child and family. c. Transport the child to court hearings d. Make recommendations about what is in the best interest of the child in a written court report.

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Completing research and monitoring each assigned case as well as making recommendations to the court about what is in the best interest of the child are responsibilities of the GAL Volunteer. However, it is not your responsibility or a requirement to become a GAL Transporter and is only approved at the discretion of the GAL and Circuit Director. Go to Question #12

12) What should guide the advocacy of the GAL? a. The wishes of the child. b. Recommendations being made by the child’s case manager. c. The child’s psychological evaluation. d. The best interests of the child. e. Both C & D.

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Absolutely. What should always guide your advocacy is... Go to Question #13

13) SELECT THE BEST ANSWER. The definition of Best Interests includes: a. Answering the question: “How can my child achieve permanency?” d. The type of services the child needs. b. Who is best qualified to be the child’s caregiver. e. Both a & d c. Ensuring the child is engaged in normalcy activities. f. All of the above (a – d)

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Yes. Best Interest includes:  The type of services the child needs  Determining who is best qualified to be the child’s caregiver  Ensuring normalcy; and  Being able to answer how the child can achieve permanency. Go to Question #14

14) SELECT THE BEST ANSWER. Why are the first 1,000 days of a child’s life so critical in regards to child development? a. 85% of the baby’s brain becomes developed as it is only 15% developed at birth. b. The child’s developing brain is most vulnerable during the first 1,000 days. c. The effects of abuse and neglect during the first 1,000 days can last a lifetime. d. All of the above

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All of the above was the best answer. The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are critical in regards to child development -- the brain is developing, the brain is at its most vulnerable during that time period, and the effects of abuse and neglect can last a lifetime. Go to Question #15

15) What can help provide guidance on when to expect children to reach certain achievements as they grow? a. The first 1,000 days b. Object permanence c. Developmental milestones d. Categories

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Developmental milestones can provide guidance when working with your child. Go to Question #16

  16) COGNITIVE is one of the 4 categories of developmental milestones discussed during the module. What does cognitive involve? a. It involves both large and fine motor skills. b. The child’s ability to think, learn and solve problems. c. How to interact and play with people. d. How to gain a better understanding of own and others feelings.

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Cognitive is the ability to think, learn and solve problems. The other categories discussed are:  Physical – Involves both large and fine motor skills  Social – Learning how to interact and play with other people  Emotional – Gaining a better understanding of their own feelings and the feelings of others Go to Question #17

17) TRUE OR FALSE? Many of the effects of maltreatment will cross over to older children if not addressed as early as possible. a. True b. False

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You are correct. During the ages of zero to 6, critical child development occurs. Many of the effects of maltreatment will cross over to older children if not addressed as early as possible. Go to Question #18

18) A child having likes and dislikes, special areas of skills, developing attachment to a primary caregiver, or the onset of puberty are examples of what? a. Developmental milestones b. Effects of maltreatment c. Parallel Play d. Group Values

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Very good! Developmental milestones are different for each age range and are behaviors or physical skills seen in infants and children as they grow and develop. Go to Question #19

19) Select the best answer. You may make a difference in the life of a child by: a. Having a general knowledge about how children develop. b. Knowing what to look for with possible abuse. c. Taking steps to follow-up on concerns involving the child. d. All of the above

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Our goal is to assist you by: You being a volunteer may make all the difference in the life of a child! Our goal is to assist you by:  Offering on-going training opportunities,  Providing various tools and resources, and  Ensuring you have a solid support team. Go to Question #20

20) SELECT THE BEST ANSWER. Normalcy is the right for ALL children and youth in licensed out-of-home care to participate in age-appropriate extracurricular activities, enrichment and social activities as well as: a. Make their own decisions on where to live b. Achieve emotional well-being as well as develop valuable life-coping skills c. Have background checks completed on friend’s with whom they want to have a sleepover d. Participate in counseling prior to reunification to ensure they are coping with the transition

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life-coping skills while in licensed out-of-home care. Great job! Normalcy for children and youth also means they achieve emotional well-being as well as develop valuable life-coping skills while in licensed out-of-home care. Go to Question #21

21) The Normalcy Act is also known as the _______ law. a. “Let Kids be Kids” b. “Give Kids a Chance” c. “Kids Need to Grow” d. “Let Kids Decide”

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The Normalcy Act is also known as the “Let Kids be Kids” law. Go to Question #22

 22) TRUE OR FALSE? The Normalcy Act empowers a caregiver to approve or disapprove a foster child’s participation in activities based on the caregiver’s own assessment, using a reasonable and prudent standard. TRUE FALSE

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True! Caregiver’s may approve or disapprove a foster child’s participation in activities. Go to Question #23

23) TRUE OR FALSE? Per the Normalcy Act, caregiver’s must first seek prior approval from either the Department, the caseworker, and or the court prior to approving a foster child’s participation in activities. TRUE FALSE

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Per the Normalcy Act, caregiver’s Good job! Per the Normalcy Act, caregiver’s do not have to seek prior approval before allowing a child to participate in activities. Go to Question #24

24) SELECT THE BEST ANSWER. Per the Quality Parenting for Children in Foster Care Act (§ 39.4091), a caregiver is defined as: a. A person with whom the child is placed in out-of-home care or a designated official for group care facilities licensed by the Department of Children and Families. b. A foster parent with whom the child is placed in out-of-home care. c. The parent. b. The individual responsible for the child’s daily activities – whether in an educational setting, in-home care or out-of-home care.

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Yes. Per the “Quality Parenting for Children in Foster Care Act”, a caregiver means a person with whom the child is placed in out-of-home care, or a designated official for group care facilities licensed by the Department of Children and Families. Go to Question #25

25) The child’s age, maturity and developmental level; ability to safely participate in the proposed activity; and potential risk factors are three _______________ to take into account prior to approving participation. a. Child Educational Considerations b. Barriers and Consequences c. Decision-Making Considerations d. GAL Program Standards

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Yes. Decision-Making Considerations need to be addressed prior to approving participation for a child or teenager. Go to Question #26

26) TRUE or FALSE? Children and youth in out-of-home care are encouraged and permitted to engage in Normalcy Activities, such as -- school trips, dating, part-time jobs, sleep-overs, and hanging out with friends. TRUE FALSE

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Whenever possible children and youth True. Whenever possible children and youth in out-of-home care should be able to participate in normal activities. Go to Question #27

27) Which statement is true? a. A person with a substance abuse issue is always unable to work. b. Persons with substance abuse issues always neglect their children. c. Substance abuse is a disease.

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despite harmful consequences. Correct. Substance abuse is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. Go to Question #28

28) FILL IN THE BLANK “Mothers abusing __________ when pregnant is the most common cause of health problems in newborn babies.” a. Marijuana b. Alcohol c. Prescription drugs d. Nicotine

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Mothers abusing alcohol when pregnant is the most common cause of health problems in newborn babies. (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) FACT Go to Question #29

 29) TRUE OR FALSE? “Approximately one half of children placed in foster care are removed from their home due to alcohol or drug abuse.” TRUE FALSE

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Thankfully, it is way less than 50%. Statistics show the documented reason for children being removed and placed in foster care due to parental alcohol or drug abuse is at about 31%. Go to Question #30

30) SELECT THE BEST ANSWER. A baby born substance-exposed might: a. Have low birth weight b. Be slow to develop c. Need special teachers and school when they are older d. All of the above.

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Yes – all of the above was the correct answer. Substance abuse hurts newborn infants and children. If the mother has substance abuse problems and the child is born substance-exposed, it could impact their quality of life not only at birth but throughout their lives. Go to Question #31

31) If someone with a substance abuse problem is experiencing mood swings, they may be suffering from: a. Bipolar disorder b. Depression c. Sleep deprivation d. Anxiety

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Yes. Bipolar disorder makes moods change back and forth. It is important to advocate for the parent or caregiver to receive treatment for both substance abuse problems and mental health problems. Go to Question #32

32) TRUE OR FALSE? Substance abuse causes domestic violence. TRUE   32) TRUE OR FALSE? Substance abuse causes domestic violence. TRUE FALSE

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The answer is False. While 25 to 50% of domestic violence incidents involve alcohol, it is not proven that substance abuse is a direct cause. However, substance abuse does increase the severity and frequency of the violence. Go to Question #33 (last question)

33) SELECT THE BEST ANSWER. The young girl in the film, “ReMoved” is most positively impacted when: a. She receives a dress as a gift from her foster mom. b. She is reunified with her baby brother. c. She has visitation with her mother. d. All of the above.

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Well done!!! The girl in the film “ReMoved” was most positively impacted when she was reunified with her baby brother. It is critical we advocate whenever possible for siblings to remain together. NEXT

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