We welcome you and your interest in our local Guardian Ad Litem Program that Advocates for Abused, Neglected and Abandoned children. Guardians are the Voice of the Children in Court and base their recommendations on the "Best Interests" of the child. We trust you will want to become involved in this important mission to Help a Child!
A Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is a volunteer appointed by the court to protect the rights and advocate the best interests of a child involved in a court proceeding. The volunteer GAL makes independent recommendations to the court by focusing on the needs of each child. The GAL advocates for the best interests of the child they represent.
A Volunteer GAL is an individual who is appointed by the court to advocate for children who come into the court system primarily as a result of alleged abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Volunteer GAL's are:
Individuals who respect a child's inherent right to grow up with dignity in a safe environment that meets that child's best interests.
Individuals who assure that the child's best interests are represented in the court at every stage of the case.
HIGHLIGHTS
LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE
CIRCUIT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW (February 2011)
National Adoption Day 2010
National Adoption Day is one of the best days in the child welfare system. Palm Beach County celebrated it on Friday, November 19th. Judge Baker opened up the festivities and did a great job thanking all who are involved in the system....including our child protective investigators and our attorneys in Childrens Legal Services.
The following link will take you to pictures that capture the spirit and emotion of the day. It along with the video below were shot by one of the photographers from the Heart Gallery.
The Guardian Ad Litem Program has just completed training for more than 140 new volunteer GALs. Welcome! We have another class forming now. Please see if you qualify by going to the "Contact" Page to help advocate for a child who has been abused, neglected, or abandoned.
