Massachusetts Association of Guardians ad Litem, Inc. Presents:
Everything You Always Wanted to Know about DCF
But Were Afraid to Ask
GAL Evaluations, Investigations and Other Family Court Matters
Tuesday May 6, 2025
8:45 AM – 1 PM
The Conference Center at Waltham Woods, Waltham, MA and Virtually via Zoom
The involvement of DCF (Department of Children and Families) with children and families can complicate any GAL investigation or evaluation. Identifying and obtaining relevant information can be a challenging – and often frustrating – process. Procedures for accessing documents are sometimes murky, and the rules are not always uniformly applied.
There is no shortage of questions. How can a GAL navigate DCF bureaucracy to obtain the information they need? What are the limits of a GAL’s ability to communicate with DCF? Does a GAL need to review all DCF records for the child they are investigating? How and when can a GAL obtain DCF records, especially unredacted copies? What are the various outcomes from a 51A report and why do they matter in a GAL investigation or evaluation? What is a fair hearing and how important are they to the GAL process? Should a GAL include DCF records if their file is subpoenaed or is a court order necessary? How does one address bias in DCF reports? How do judges weigh DCF’s decision to close a case when parties continue to allege abuse or neglect? What is the new filing portal at DCF and how do you use it?
In this conference, past and present DCF professionals, two experienced GALs, and three justices of the Probate & Family Court will address these and many others in a Q&A format, including questions from the audience. Come learn about the “nuts and bolts” of DCF and get the answers you need when child protective concerns are in play.
Faculty (in alphabetical order):
John E. Baker, PhD
Christine M. Bonardi, JD
Sheara F. Friend, JD
Maria Z. Mossaides, JD - Director/Office of the Child Advocate
The Honorable Jennifer Melia - Worcester Probate & Family Court
Nicole Robinson, LICSW
Thomas D. Ritter, JD, PhD
The Honorable Janine D. Rivers - Suffolk Probate & Family Court
Christina Tedstone, JD - General Counsel/DCF
The Honorable Claudine T. Wyner - Hampshire Probate & Family Court
Conference Pricing(until April 25)
MAGAL Members: $135.00
Non-members: $145.00
Late Registration (After April 25)
Members: $150.00
Non-members: $160.00
Conference Schedule
8:45 Welcome
Thomas Ritter, JD, President of MAGAL
Linda Ouelette, JD, Chairman of MAGAL Education Committee
9:00 - 9:30 The Nuts and Bolts of DCF
Christina Tedstone, JD, General Counsel, DCF
9:30 - 10:00 Interacting with and understanding DCF
Maria Mossaides, JD, Director, Office of the Child Advocate
10:00 - 10:30 Discussion
Nicole Robinson, LICSW
Thomas D. Ritter, JD, Ph.D.
10:30 - 10:45 Break
10:45 - 11:45 GAL interactions with DCF
John Baker, Ph.D.
Christine Bonardi, JD
11:45 - 12:45 A View from the Bench
Hon. Jennifer Melia
Hon. Janine Rivers
Hon. Claudine Wyner
John Baker, PhD
12:45 - 1:00 Discussion
1:00 Conference Ends
Faculty Bios
John E. Baker, PhD: Dr. Baker is currently in private practice in Belmont, MA. He provides individual and family therapy to children, adults and adolescents. He also serves as a guardian ad litem in the Massachusetts probate courts, in matters related to custody, visitation, and abuse. Formerly, he served as a clinical psychologist in the Family Service Clinic, Middlesex Probate and Family Court where he conducted child and family evaluations and supervised psychology, psychiatry, and social work trainees.
Christine M. Bonardi, JD: Atty Bonardi has been in private practice since 1988, practicing in the following areas of adoption, abuse prevention orders, child welfare, child abuse and neglect, child custody, criminal law, DCF, divorce, education including special education and/or suspension/expulsion; family; guardianship of a minor, disabled or mentally ill individuals; sex offender registry board; 209A; 51A; and real estate. She worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a legislative liaison and as a legislative aide.
Sheara Friend, JD: Sheara is a family law attorney who has represented clients in numerous complex trials for divorce, custody and relocation and had argued appeals of Probate & Family Court judgments. Sheara also practices Collaborative Law. She has been a member of MAGAL for more than two decades, serving on the Executive Board and Education Committee. She is a Past President of the organization. Atty Friend also served on the committee that assisted in establishing the Court Guidelines for Category F GAL appointments. She was also a co-founder of the Overcoming Barriers camp program for families experiencing resist/refuse issues.
Maria Z. Mossaides, JD, MPA: Atty Mossaides is the Director of the Office of the Child Advocate in Boston. She was formerly the Director of Cambridge Family and Children Services, a Deputy Director of Operations at the Renewable Energy Trust, and Director of the Massachusetts Office of Children.
The Honorable Jennifer Melia: Judge Melia was appointed to the Probate and Family Court bench in December of 2018. She is a graduated of New England School of Law and was in private practice for twelve years as a solo practitioner specializing in domestic relations. Prior to her legal career Judge Melia worked as a social worker for DCF and as a probation officer for the Probate and Family Court in the Worcester Probate & Family Court.
Nicole Robinson, LICSW: Ms. Robinson is currently the owner of Robinson and Associates Therapeutic Services. She serves as a Guardian ad Litem, Parenting Coordinator and Parenting Time Supervisor for families involved with the Probate and family court. She provides therapy and coaching to individuals, families and groups. in her group practice and provides supervision to mental health practitioners from a variety of backgrounds. In the past she worked for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families as a program director, supervisor and case worker. She is on the faculty of the Tufts-New England Medical Center family evaluation team.
Thomas D. Ritter, JD, PhD: Atty Ritter is an attorney at Atwood & Cherney where he represents clients in complex divorces at the trial court and appellate levels. Tom also serves as a guardian ad litem, mediator, parenting coordinator and conciliator in the Commonwealth. In the past, Tom was a law clerk for the Rhode Island Supreme Court, an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Massachusetts and Director of the Child Life Program at UMASS Memorial Hospital. Tom is one of the founding members of the mediation team at the Comprehensive Family Evaluation Center (CFEC) at Tufts University School of Medicine. He is the current President of MAGAL.
The Honorable Janine D. Rivers: Judge Rivers was appointed to the bench in 2017. Prior to her appointment, she was in solo practice representing clients in juvenile and child welfare, and a wide variety of family law cases. Judge Rivers served as a mentor for newly certified attorneys within the Juvenile courts. Prior to practicing law, she served as a social worker with the Department of Children and Families. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Newbury College and Anna Maria College.
Christina Tedstone, JD: Atty Tedstone is the General Counsel for DCF. She renders advice to Department staff and represents the Agency in legal matters in cases before the MA Commission Against Discrimination. She drafts and reviews legislation, regulations, policy statements and informational memoranda. She assists in the oversight of the implementation of policy initiatives of EOHHS and consults with the Office of the MA Attorney General. Prior to her current position, she was the Deputy General Counsel/Director of the Fair Hearing Unit of DCF.
The Honorable Claudine T. Wyner: The Honorable Claudine T. Wyner was appointed associate justice of the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court in April 2017. Judge Wyner earned her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and on the Board of Directors for Multicultural Community Services. Judge Wyner also sits on the Education Committee for the Probate and Family Court, the Rules Committee and the Child Support Guidelines Task Force, and is currently the Chair of the Environmental Advisory Committee for the Springfield Court Complex.
**We have applied for 4 hours of Continuing Education Credit for Psychologists, Social Workers and Licensed Mental Health Counselors.
