| becoming a Guardian Ad Litem volunteer What is a Guardian Ad Litem Volunteer? A Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) is a trained, court-appointed volunteer that serves as the voice for abused and neglected children in juvenile court. What do GALs do? • Speak up for the best interests of the child • Gather information through regular visits with the child • Conduct interviews with people associated with the child, such as parents, caregivers and all social and medical service providers • Attend hearings on the child's behalf • Make recommendations to the judge Who can become a GAL? Anyone who: • Possesses a strong desire to help children • Demonstrates good judgment and common sense • Exhibits good communication skills • Provides favorable references and consents to a background check • Completes 30 hours of training • Is at least 19 years old What are the rewards? • Knowing you are making a difference in a child’s life • Giving something back to your community • Meeting new people with similar interests and values • Gaining valuable experience and building professional skills What kind of training is offered? • Training sessions are 30 hours and are held over a two-week period • Courses include: courtroom procedure, social services, the juvenile justice system and the special needs of abused children • No special experience or legal background is needed • For an upcoming training schedule, please click here How much time is required? • An average of three hours per week is required in most cases • Many contacts can be made by phone, fax or email • Guardians are asked to commit at least one year to the program, although many of our volunteers have been with us longer than that What if I need help with my case? |
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