Guardian Ad Litem

What is a Guardian Ad Litem Volunteer?

Guardians Ad Litem are citizens who volunteer to become part of a Court program to represent the best interest of a child who has been removed from his\her home by the Department of Children and Families for alleged abuse, abandonment or neglect. The volunteer may be the representative for the child before the Court, social service agencies and the community.

What is a Guardians Ad Litem role?

There are several roles that a GAL volunteer can perform. These vary according to the amount of time the volunteer has to give and their area(s) of interest. The Guardian Ad Litem represents the best interests of the child in a variety of ways. The Guardian Ad Litem is an investigator, monitor, protector, spokesperson and reporter.

Information Gatherer - The Guardian Ad Litem performs independent interviews with various persons involved with the family (i.e. the child, parents, counselors, pediatricians, school personnel, law enforcement, etc.). The Guardian Ad Litem also examines and collects records from many sources concerning the child. The Guardian Ad Litem then takes this information to the experts in the community for recommendations on what is best for the child.

 Monitor - The Guardian Ad Litem serves as a monitor of the agencies and persons who provide services to the child. He/she assures that orders of the Court are carried out, and that families and children in need receive the help that they should.

Protector - The Guardian Ad Litem protects the child from insensitive questioning and the often harmful effects of being embroiled in the adversary court process.

Spokesperson - The Guardian Ad Litem assures that the child's wishes are heard and that the best interest of the child is presented to the Court and agencies dealing with the child.

Reporter - The Guardian Ad Litem presents information to the Court which helps the Court determine what is in the child's best interest. He/she prepares a written report which becomes a permanent part of the child's record.

Opportunities available to Guardian Ad Litem Volunteers:     

    Administrative Duties     Records Collection
    Visiting Children      Courtesy Visits 
    Volunteer Recruitment     Participating in GAL events

Who assists the Guardian Ad Litem in performance of his/her functions?

Volunteers are trained, supervised and assisted by GAL Program Staff. The Guardian ad Litem program has a Director, Assistant Director, Case Coordinators and a Volunteer Services Coordinator. In addition the program has several full time attorneys to assist the staff and volunteers with legal issues that may arise.

Who can be a Guardian Ad Litem?

Any person who has common sense and good judgment can be a volunteer for the GAL program. Volunteers should be people who CARE.... and are able to give TIME to help a child. Volunteers will be matched with a case/tasks depending on how much time they have to give, the seriousness of the case, and the background of the case and the volunteer. Time is flexible around your schedule and varies from case to case.