Press Release
Probate and Family Court Department

CONTACT:

Mark R. Quigley, Administrative Attorney (617) 788-6600

FOR RELEASE ON: March 17, 2003

Probate and Family Court Announces Request for Proposals
for Developing Standards for Investigations and Report Writing
for Guardians Ad Litem/Investigators Pursuant to G.L. c. 215, § 56A

          The Probate and Family Court Administrative Office is soliciting bid responses from qualified vendors to serve as the Lead Agency, Person or Persons to develop comprehensive standards for investigations and report writing for guardians ad litem. Federal grant funds have been allocated by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts through an application to the Department of Health and Human Services to assist in this process. The RFP may be viewed at either http://www.state.ma.us/courts or http://www.comm-pass.com and may be obtained from the Administrative Office of the Probate and Family Court (AOPFC).

          The focus of this bid will be to select a Lead Agency, Person or Persons that will examine existing standards gathered by AOPFC and Jane Doe, Inc. as well as those from other states and agencies, while considering the appropriate Massachusetts statutory, court rules and case law mandates and develop comprehensive standards relating to the investigations and reports of particular allegations that are being investigated by guardians ad litem in child welfare cases. The Lead Agency, Person or Persons must also develop a training module and curriculum materials incorporating the new standards for investigations and report writing to be used to orientate judges, court staff, attorneys and mental health professionals who are appointed as guardians ad litem to the use of the standards under Category F pursuant to Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:07.

          Proposals must be RECEIVED prior to 4:00 P.M. on April 4, 2003. Proposals are to be submitted to the following address:

          Any inquiries regarding the bidding process or specifications for this proposal must be in writing and should be directed to Mark Quigley at the above address or via facsimile (617) 788-8995. Inquiries must be mailed, hand-delivered or faxed.