Guardian ad Litem Rockingham County NC

d, Interviewing parents, caretakers, social workers, teachers, service providers
Reading records related to the child and family

Collaborating
Seek cooperative solutions with other participants in the child’s case
Communicate with the GAL Attorney Advocate to develop legal strategies and prepare for court
Attend court hearings and other meetings

Recommending the Best
Write child focused reports for court hearings
Make recommendations in the child’s best interest
Testify, when needed, to support recommendations or inform the court of changes in the child’s situation

Empowering the Child’s Voice
Ensure that the court knows the child’s wishes
Keep the child informed about the court proceedings
Facilitate the child’s participation in court hearings as appropriate

Staying Vigilant
Monitor the situation on an on‐going basis
Consult with local program staff for support and guidance
Confidentiality is Key
Keep all records and information confidential

QUALIFICATIONS
A Guardian ad Litem possesses:
A sincere concern for the well‐being of children
A commitment to advocate for a child until a safe and permanent home is established and court involvement is no longer required
The ability to be objective and non‐judgmental
The ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse economic, educational, and ethnic backgrounds
Good verbal and written communication skills

REQUIREMENTS
Guardian ad Litem advocates commit to at least four hours per month on a case, and they are encouraged to serve until the case is completed, which usually takes at least a year. In order to become a GAL, you will need to complete:

• an application
• a screening interview with program staff
• a criminal record check

TRAINING & SUPERVISION
Guardians ad Litem are supervised by program staff.