Bloomington Meadows Hospital Lunch & Learn Series
Cooperating for Children: Mental Health & the Law
Moderator: Kris Sullivan, LCSW
Panelists: Kristin Garner, Attorney at Law; Jacqueline Jordan, LCSW, MSW, M.Ed; Kara Reagan, Attorney at Law; Melissa Richardson, Guardian ad Litem; Judge Catherine Stafford, Monroe Circuit Court IV.
Goals: Answering questions identified below; initiating a conversation between mental health and legal professionals regarding best practices; providing information about the legal system to mental health professionals.
12:00 p.m. Introduction (Kris Sullivan)
Types of roles mental health professionals may have and how they encounter the legal system in a CHINS or family law matter
12:10 p.m. Talking to Attorneys (Kara Reagan)
When can/should I release information to attorneys? (Is a subpoena sufficient, do I have to have a court order? What information should be provided? What if I have a release from one parent but not the other for a child's information?
12:20 p.m. Getting Subpoenaed (Judge Stafford)
What do I do when I receive a subpoena? Do I have to go? Can I talk to the attorney who sent me the subpoena beforehand? How do I handle cross-examination? Should I try to anticipate hearsay objections; how do I respond to objections?
12:30 p.m. Best Practices for Therapists (Melissa Richardson, Jacqueline Jordan)
What are best practices for working with a child whose parents are involved in litigation? Do both parents need to consent to treatment? What is the role of a parent/parents in the child’s therapy; is there a role for a parent’s attorney? What is the impact of a policy that says services will not be provided if there is pending litigation?
12:40 p.m. What if there if a Guardian ad Litem (GAL)? (Kristin Garner & Melissa Richardson)
What are the pros and cons of talking with a GAL, and what is needed in order for me to do that?
12:50 p.m. Conclusion & Questions (Kris Sullivan)
1 Hour Educational Certificates sponsored by Mental Health of America Monroe County