Representative scenes from the new novel, Mary Jo’s Journey Home
- Is Foster Care a Crime?After finishing my manuscript about a young girl, Mary Jo, who was placed in Child Protection Services, I reached out to potential agents. I described my novel as a coming-of-age story about a young girl trapped in foster care. I compared it to Where the Crawdads Sing and similar books. One of the first agents … Read more
- Who or What is a Guardian ad Litem (GAL)?A Short Answer One individual in the juvenile courtroom that parents seldom notice or meet is the Guardian Ad Litem, commonly referred to as “a G A L.” Pronounce each letter, do not shorten it to the word “gal.” This nearly invisible individual is seldom introduced to the parents or the child(ren). She or he … Read more
- How can I convince child services I’m not an alcoholic?A Child Services’ Accusation Is Final Nothing in this post is intended to provide legal advice or replace the advice from a licensed attorney. For answers to specific questions, consult a licensed attorney in the relevant state, district, or province. There’s no medical or lab test that proves a person is or isn’t an alcoholic. … Read more