About the Guardian ad Litem Program
The Guardian ad Litem Program is able to represent thousands of children with the help of volunteers. Program volunteers donate countless hours to the children the represent. The unique perspective of volunteers and their often creative solutions are highly valued by dependency court judges.
What is a Guardian ad Litem?
Guardian ad Litem is a volunteer appointed by the court to protect the rights and advocate for the best interests of a child involved in a dependency court proceeding as a result of abuse, neglect or abandonment. The volunteer Guardian ad Litem makes independent recommendations to the court by focusing on the needs of each child.
Volunteer Guardians ad Litem are:
- Individuals who respect a child's inherent right to grow up with dignity in a safe environment.
- Individuals who assure that the child's best interests are represented in the court at every stage of the case.
Qualifications for a Guardian ad Litem
- You must be at least 21 years of age, with common sense and good judgment.
- No special background is required – staff and legal support are provided.
Time Commitments for Guardian Volunteers
A Guardian ad Litem volunteer must successfully complete 30 hours of certification training and 6 hours annually of re-certification training, spend an average of 10 hours per month working on the case and make at least a one year commitment to the program.
What is the role of the Guardian ad Litem?
- Investigation: Carries out an objective, systematic examination of the situation, including relevant history, environment, relationships, and needs of the child. The Guardian volunteer interviews family, friends, and school staff.
- Facilitation: Identifies resources and services for the child and facilitates a collaborative relationship between all parties involved in the case, helping to create a situation in which the child’s needs are met.
- Advocacy: Conveys the best interests of the child to the court and relevant agencies.
- Monitoring: Keeps track of whether the orders of the court are carried out.
- Reporting: Reports findings and recommendations regarding the best interest of the child to the court.
Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Responsibilities
- Visits the child at least once a month and keeps the child informed about the court proceedings.
- Gathers and assesses independent information on a consistent basis about the child in order to recommend a resolution that is in the child’s best interest.
- Reviews records.
- Interviews appropriate parties involved in the case, including the child.
- Determines whether a permanent plan has been created for the child in accordance with federal and state laws and whether appropriate services are being provided to the child and family.
- Submits child visitation and month summary reports.
- Submits a signed, written report with recommendations to the court every five months.
- Attends and participates in court hearings and other related meetings to advocate for a permanent plan which serves the child’s best interest.
- Maintains complete records about the case.