Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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V olunteers By KELLEY McDONALD Staff writer April is National Child Abuse Prevention month, and one group in Columbia fights the problem every day. More than 200 volunteers for the Richland County Guardian Ad Litem program are doing something about it. "This program is to represent the interest of children who are allegedly abused," said Ann Kleckley, director of the program. "We operate because there's a law that says there must be an attorney and a Guardian Ad Litem for all legal proceedings." The Richland County program was begun in 1983 when Kieckiey was hired as its first member by the Junior League of Carolina. In order to become a guardian, one must fill out an application and be screened and interviewed, Kieckiey said. "You have to be over 18, and you have to be literate," she said. "We look for whether or not you will be objective and committed." Although the requirements for the guardianship are easily met, the duties of the guardian may require watching over the interests of an abused child for at least a year, Kieckiey said. "The guardian would be assigned a case, investigate that case and make recommendations to the court," she said. After interviewing the Department of Social Services, the family, the child and the doctor, the guardian would suggest to the court what action they feel would be in the best interest of the child. While the judge makes the ultimate decision, the program has a lot of credibility with other courts, Kieckiey said. Volunteer guardian Nadine McDonald also said she feels the program makes a difference in the courts. "I think you walk in and out of these childen's lives, and they don't realize the impact you have," McDonald O How We Need You! I f \rrsi i hovp H rvnf m ^ " / 1MB blood, you are rare * and O so special. CH Give the gift of life, GIVE BLOOD! ^ "finythii American Red Cross South Carolina Regional Blood Services 5 ft A Corner of Assembly & Whaley J 10 Tanning Sessions for 0 Expires 4/15/89 THERE ARE TV BECOMING A NUR HAnd they'i sented by the insig as a member of th< Corps. The cadua means you're part c system in which ec career advancemei not the exception, on the right means you command re: earning a BSN, write: Army Nurse ( Clifton, NJ 07015. ARMY NURSE CORPS-1 Announc the llth ANNUAL LEi5 LEADERSHIP ENRICHMEN1 University of So Leadership C< May 3, 4, College of Charleston - Chai Be More Effective For the 8 Gain New Insights Into Leac Share Ideas and Problems Meet Key Students, Leaders APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE: C Lower Level-West Wing Rus For Information - Call 777-57 Applications Deadline - Apri LEADERSHIP TRAIN DEPARTMENT OF 5 DIVISION OF STUE UNIVERSITY OF SO help abusec / v said. "Just being there and really monitoring the case makes a difference in the court. In all the cases I have had, they have implemented my recommendation. 1 think the courts hold the program in highest esteem." Kleckley said the program has many law students and some college students participating. "Some of our college students have done a very good job, and some have been less committed than we like," she said. "We encourage college students who are in their last year or in a related field, such as psychology or criminal justice. Guardians must show a level of maturity." Kleckley said that one of their most dedicated "" Ox ig Textile" M 791-5638 ( ... m It's A Glamoi f? ^ 252-0005 $40 WlfilllRraHIRIl ITUI1 fO SIDES TO SE IN THE ARMY. -e both repre- I ;nia you wear * Army Nurse fl|HB sus on the left m )f a health care ^^gyB lucational and at are the rule, The gold bar HHBflHHHI spect as an Army officer. If you 're Opportunities, P.O. Box 7713, IE ALL YOU CAN BE. | Ang CD CONFERENCE r AND DEVELOPMENT uth Carolina anference 1989 i r> . 1 i rieston, boutn Carolina 9 - 90 Year lership , and Staff Members :AMPUS ACTIVITIES CENTER isell House 1 7, 1989 5 p.m. IS Q. \ ING PROGRAMS If "I STUDENT LIFE \? )ENT AFFAIRS V Jgffi,J UTH CAROLINA ^3^ 1 children fi volunteers was Sloane Houseman, a recent USC graduate. "I was a senior in college and heard about it through a professor," Houseman said. "It was something 1 was interested in as a social service. It's very rewarding." When working on a case, Houseman said it can take from five to 10 hours a week. However, she said she feels the time spent with the program has brought her personal satisfaction. "The people at the office are a very close-knit family," she said. "Acting as a part of this group has made a difference in me. It's nice to know that something is being done for an individual. Case workers can get overloaded, and a volunteer can help." imp?1 ???/v y^pmrm Come By Our New Location 136 State Street, West Columbia ...just across Gervais St. Bridge, 5 min. from WM I^Hli J jJTJb! knowing Stanley So re yeareofejq ? , V% LUNTEERS aM(4*j FREE new Li Help us help you. Stanl< L American Red Cross U L i \ uiiiv.med. : The Medic CAR. AUS. Am&i 1824 ^ V < C( EARLY ACCEPTAI ~ c~..4.U I: ii yuu die d ouuiii c.diuiuid rebi junior, academically excellent an qualify for early acceptance to n following benefits: Freedom to pursue any broadei Minimum number of required < Medical College Admission Tes ACADEMIC CRITERIA F SAT score College GPA: USC - 3.< CALL OR WRITE FOR F Office of the University Registrar Medical University of South Cart Charleston, SC 29425 ? "An equal opportuni nd homes Kleckley said the overload of ease work made it necessary for a program to be implemented. "It was started in the hopes that the treatment of the child victims will improve," Kleckley said. "Before the volunteer program, attorneys were hired to do this by the bar. Sometimes they were tax attorneys or real estate at torneys and had no real experience with family court. It is our belief that someone who desires to do this work and who is trained on the issues of abuse, neglect and the court proceedings will do a better job for the child." McDonald agreed the program was more beneficial to the children because of its volunteer format. "I think caring has made a difference," she said. "The most important thing is that you care. When you are a guardian, you're not getting paid to perform. You're doing this for other reasons, and that makes a difference." After the court decision, it is the duty of the guardian to make sure it is followed to the letter, McDonald said. "You contact the DSS to make sure they're following up on the children's process, see them on a weekly or biweekly basis, and make sure they get counseling if they need it," she said. One of the biggest problems is when the children have to be taken away from the parents, McDonald said. "The ultimate goal of the DSS is to keep the family together, regardless if the children have been beaten up to smithereens," she said. "But it's good that they have their viewpoint and we have ours, because somehow in the middle is where the decision should be. I don't always advocate taking children away from parents, but I do advocate children having rights." McDonald said that while being a guardian can be very satisfying, it can be depressing as well. "The saddest part is that I've seen children badly sexually and physically abused, and all they want to do is go back to their parents," she said. 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