The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program Guardian

The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program

Guardian ad Litem Mission The mission of the NC Guardian ad Litem program is to provide trained, independent advocates to represent and promote the best interests of abused, neglected and dependent children in the state court system and to work expediently toward a plan that ensures that these children are in a safe, permanent home.

Program statistics 59, 972 child abuse and neglect hearings 16, 281 abused and neglected children received legal representation 195 juvenile appellate cases filed 4, 824 GAL volunteers 15, 251 abused and neglected children received legal representation 53, 389 child abuse and neglect hearings 463, 104 hours of service from volunteers 1, 700 kids currently do not have GAL volunteers Volunteers 4, 770 volunteer advocates 457, 920 hours of service $10. 3 million saved due to volunteer efforts Volunteers donate on average 8 hours of service monthly. Independent Sector valued volunteer time during 2013 at $22. 55 per hour

Core Values and Ethics • The Guardian ad Litem Program makes sure that the volunteer advocates and program staff are dedicated to the child-client when taking on a case. Each case that is represented until the case is closed. • The Guardian ad Litem volunteer advocates and program staff understand that integrity (honest behavior) is being displayed at all times. This behavior is done even if the volunteer advocate or program staff does not agree with the other party. • The Guardian ad Litem volunteer advocates show accountability to the child-client and program when turning in their court report to the judge on the date that the case is scheduled. They also show accountability by seeing the child-client at least once a month. • The Guardian ad Litem volunteer advocates and program staff show collaboration when working on a child-client case. They collaborate with DSS, mental health agencies, school system, and others to make sure that they understand the whole picture for what’s in the best interest for the child-client.

History In 1983, the North Carolina General Assembly, pursuant to G. S. 7 B-1200, established the Office of the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Services as a division of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). Pursuant to G. S. 7 B-601, when a petition alleging abuse or neglect of a juvenile is filed in district court, the judge appoints a volunteer GAL advocate and an attorney advocate to provide team representation to the child. Throughout North Carolina, the GAL program seeks to serve the best interests of thousands of children who find themselves the subjects of court cases by assigning them GAL volunteers. 1983 GAL is established within the AOC by the N. C. General Assembly. 1994 GAL becomes a statewide program with an office in every judicial district. 2010 GAL volunteers are 5, 000 strong across the state of North Carolina. 2013 GAL celebrated 30 years of advocating for children 2014 4, 824 GAL volunteers serve 15, 251 children with nearly 470, 000 hours a year.

Need & future direction for the Guardian ad Litem Program • More than 1, 700 children in North Carolina currently do not have a Guardian ad Litem volunteer to advocate for them in court. The need & future direction for the Guardian ad Litem is to recruit more volunteer advocates. This is to close the gap of having so many children that do not have a Guardian ad Litem volunteer to advocate for them in court.

If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a Guardian ad Litem volunteer advocate or would just like to support our program, visit us online or on our social media sites. www. ncgal. org You can also contact your local GAL office at: Michelle Ivey 910 -671 -3077 lisa. m. ivey@nccourts. org