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Guardian ad Litem Program

Guardian ad Litem Program. A powerful and effective voice on behalf of Florida’s abused, abandoned and neglected children. History of the Guardian ad Litem Program. The Guardian ad Litem Program was started in Florida in 1980 and Hillsborough County in 1985.

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Guardian ad Litem Program

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  1. Guardian ad Litem Program A powerful and effective voice on behalf of Florida’s abused, abandoned and neglected children.

  2. History of the Guardian ad Litem Program • The Guardian ad Litem Program was started in Florida in 1980 and Hillsborough County in 1985. • At that time, there were very few paid staff and volunteers attended court without attorneys. • In 1998, only 6% of the children involved in the juvenile dependency system in Hillsborough county had a Guardian ad Litem. • Today, 67% of the children involved in the juvenile dependency system in Hillsborough County have a Guardian ad Litem.

  3. What is a Guardian ad Litem? • A Guardian ad Litem is appointed by the court to advocate the best interests of a child involved in a court proceeding. The Guardian ad Litem makes independent recommendations to the court by focusing on the needs of each child. The Guardian ad Litem advocates for the best interests of the child they represent.

  4. What are the responsibilities of a GAL? • Visit the child and keep the child informed about the court proceedings; • Gather and assess independent information on a consistent basis about the child in order to recommend a resolution that is in the child's best interest; • Review records; • Interview appropriate parties involved in the case, including the child; • Determine whether a permanency 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; • Submit a signed written report with recommendations to the court on what placement, visitation plan, services, and permanency plan are in the best interest of the child; • Attend and participate in court hearings and other related meetings to advocate for a permanency plan, which serves the child's best interest; • Maintain complete records about the case, including appointments scheduled, interviews held, and information gathered about the child and the child's life circumstances.

  5. The difference between a Guardian ad Litem and an Attorney for the Child • Guardians ad Litem represent the best interest of a dependent child. • Guardians ad Litem do not have an attorney client relationship or client privilege with the children they serve. • Attorneys for Children provide direct representation to the children and enjoy all the benefits of an attorney-client relationship.

  6. A Child Can Never Have Enough Advocates • Guardians ad Litem are encouraged to work with a child’s attorney. • Guardians ad Litem and children’s attorneys do not have to agree on the different aspects on the case. • Often times what is in the child’s best interest is much different than the child’s expressed wishes. • What is important is that each is maintaining their role in the dependency process and working to better the life of a child. • Information should be shared by Guardians ad Litem with the child’s attorney, even though the child's attorney may not be able to provide information in return due to attorney client privilege.

  7. As an attorney, how can you help? • Take the Guardian ad Litem Pro Bono Training • Combination of online presentations and 8 hour classroom training (CLE credits provided) • Become a Certified Guardian ad Litem for Dependency Proceedings • Take a case and change a child’s life!

  8. What support will you receive as a Pro Bono Guardian ad Litem? • You will be part of a GAL team, which includes a child advocacy coordinator and a program attorney. • The team’s program attorney will provide you with legal guidance as needed and will represent you at evidentiary hearings. • The child advocacy coordinator will work with you to develop recommendations, assist you in preparing reports to the court and advise you regarding community resources and program policies and procedures.

  9. How much time do you need to commit to be a Guardian ad Litem? • While cases vary in complexity, most cases will require approximately 4-6 hours per month, with a little more time in the beginning. • All time spent on GAL cases should be reported annually as it fulfills the Florida Bar’s pro bono requirement.

  10. Interested in becoming a Guardian ad Litem Pro Bono Volunteer? • Please contact one of our volunteer recruiters at (813) 272-5110 or; • Visit our website at http://www.galtampa.org/ or; • Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GALTampa

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