The Guardian ad Litem Program trains community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in court.

Could you be a voice for the children in Our Community? Volunteers are trained as child advocates for abused and neglected children. Child advocates and attorneys work together to champion children's needs in court. Child advocates promote a safe permanent home for children. rn rn Guardian ad Litem Program: Be A Voice For The Children In Our Community rn In 1983, the North Carolina General Assembly established the Office of Guardian ad Litem Services as a division of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. Pursuant to G.S. 7B-601, when a petition alleging abuse or neglect of a juvenile is filed in district court, the judge appoints a volunteer GAL advocate and an attorney advocate to provide team representation to the child, who has full party status in trial and appellate proceedings. All GAL advocates are trained, supervised, and supported by program staff in each county of the state. The collaborative model of GAL attorney advocates, volunteers, and staff ensures that all North Carolina children who are alleged by the Department of Social Services to have been abused or neglected receive GAL legal advocacy services. rn The role of Guardian ad Litem advocates is to: rn rn Fulfill state and federal statutory mandates to protect and promote the best interests of juveniles in abuse and neglect court proceedings rn Help the courts work efficiently toward safety and permanence for children rn Conduct independent investigations to determine the facts, needs of the child, and the resources appropriate to meet those needs rn Determine the wishes or expressed preferences of the child and report those to the court rn Provide a voice for abused and neglected children in every county of the state rn rn rn Be a voice for a child rn www.VolunteerforGAL.org