We worry about what a child will become tomorrow,

yet we forget that he is someone today.  ~Stacia Tauscher

The Wake County Guardian ad Litem Program provides trained independent advocates to represent and promote the best interests of abused, neglected, and dependent children in the state court system and to work towards a plan that ensures that these children are in safe and permanent homes.  

 

Volunteer Guardians ad Litem are the voice of the child in court.  The program, located in the Wake County Courthouse in downtown Raleigh, NC., operates under the leadership of Ms. Naeime Livingston, District Administrator.  Visit our Contact Us page for more information about staff, location, and telephone numbers.

Did you know that...

·         There are over one million cases of abuse documented each year.

·         Over 1,250 children will die each year as the direct result of identifiable abuse or neglect.

·         The majority of child abuse and neglect deaths are children under five.

·         9-out-of-10 abusers are the child's own parents/guardians

·         1-out-of-4 girls and 1-out-of-5 to 7 boys will be sexually assaulted by the age of 18

·         80 to 90 percent of our prison population reports being victims of sexual abuse.

(From Talking About Touching, Committee for Children, Seattle)

WHAT IS A GUARDIAN AD LITEM?

·         A Guardian ad Litem is a trained community volunteer who is paired with an Attorney Advocate to ensure that the child’s rights and best interests are before the Court. 

·         Ad Litem means “this litigation” or “for this case”.  The G.A.L. is appointed to represent the child only for the duration of the Court’s involvement and does not serve as the child’s legal guardian. 

·         The G.A.L. serves as the Child’s voice in Court.  Duties include exploring all facts relevant to the case, making recommendations to the Court, and monitoring the case so that it will move through the Court and Social Services systems without unnecessary delays.

·         The G.A.L. is the only person whose sole task is to focus on the best interest of the child.

WHY THE GAL PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT

Each year, thousands of children in North Carolina are thrust into the Court System through no fault of their own.  Some are victims of violence, psychological torment, or sexual abuse. Others have been neglected or abandoned by their own parents.  Most of them are frightened and confused.  

Often these children become re-victimized by an overburdened child welfare system…a complex legal network of lawyers, social workers, and Judges who frequently do not have the time to give thorough, detailed attention to each child who comes before them.  

The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program was created in 1983 under the Administrative Office of the Courts to make sure that the abuse and neglect these children originally suffered is not compounded by the system created to serve them.

For more than twenty years, the Guardian ad Litem Program has made a difference in the lives of children who need protection, encouragement, and hope that their voices will be heard.

BE THE VOICE OF A CHILD.....

Wake County GAL needs more caring volunteers to ensure that all abused and neglected children have a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem to advocate for their best interests.  Call our office at 919-715-9014 for more information.

Attorney Advocate & GAL Susan Newell

pins new GAL after Swearing In

If you wish to volunteer in another NC county, North Carolina's 100 counties need more volunteer Guardians ad Litem to meet the needs of abused and neglected children.   Visit the NC Guardian ad Litem web site to view a list of counties and contacts.

HOW TO BECOME A WAKE COUNTY GUARDIAN AD LITEM

·         Call the Guardian ad Litem office at 919-792-5353.

·         We will send you an application and other materials for you to review before making your decision.

·         Complete the Application and return it to the GAL office.

·         Our office will review your application and references, conduct a background check, and schedule an interview with you.

New GAL Trainees take the oath in Court

     ·         Potential volunteers complete 30 hours

           of training and are sworn in by a judge.

·         You may also download an application and mail it to our office at P.O. Box 1107, Raleigh NC  27602.

**State Employees** 

N.C. State Employees earn 24 hours of community service leave every year to volunteer and/or support schools, communities, citizens, and non-profit organizations, or you can become a volunteer Guardian ad Litem in Wake County.

Use your Community Service Leave to make a difference in the life of a child.

(refer to Section 5D of the Human Resources Management Manual)

**PARALEGAL PROFESSIONALS** 

Consider using your strong voice  to speak for an abused or neglected child.

Volunteering as a Guardian ad Litem allows you to use your professional skills and knowledge to make a difference in the life of an abused or neglected child.  

Click here to learn more

The Honorable Judge Debra Sasser (2nd from lest)

with recent GAL trainees after Swearing In.

ARE YOU FLUENT IN SPANISH?

Wake County GAL needs Volunteer 

Guardians ad Litem who are fluent in Spanish