Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Volunteers are needed to represent youth in the foster care system who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected. We envision a world where every abused or neglected child can thrive in a safe and loving home.
The purpose of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is to provide all the most vulnerable children in Florida with a multi-disciplinary team that includes a Guardian ad Litem attorney, child welfare professional and hopefully, a trained volunteer or pro bono attorney providing the highest quality community advocacy and legal representation to protect each child’s legal interests.
More than 500 children are in dependency court in Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit, including Leon, Liberty, Wakulla, Franklin, Gadsden and Jefferson Counties. In recent months we have had an increase in cases. We need more Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Volunteers to fulfill the third person of each child’s multi-disciplinary team.
In the Second Judicial Circuit, 54 children do not have a trained volunteer or pro bono attorney on their team.
Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Volunteers undergo a thorough one-time, free, 30-hour training to serve as a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer who advocates for the best interests of abused, neglected and dependent children.
You can speak up for a child who has been abused or neglected by becoming a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer. The Second Judicial Circuit is currently accepting applications for the next training class. No special education, experience or background is needed because they will train you.
If you are interested in volunteering, employment, or pro bono opportunities, visit www.guardianadlitem.org.
Angela Diorio – Gadsden County News Service
