Agency Overview

Agency Mission

The mission statement for the guardian ad litem program is to ensure

that abused or neglected children are properly advocated for in court
regardless of race, religion, age or sex.

Core Ethics and Values

Professionalism: Ethics, accountability, confidentiality, resourcefulness,

critical thinking and good judgement.

Interpersonal Competence: Open-mindedness, respect, collaboration,

self- awareness and assertiveness. Working with children can be
different from working with adults, especially children that have
suffered from trauma. Therefore maintaining a respectful attitude is
very important.

Cultural Competence: Respect, flexibility, knowledge, self- awareness

an empathy. Understanding ones own culture and the differences
between cultures will allow one to best serve children and their
families.

History

In 1983 Guardian AD Litem is established in North Carolina Assembly

office by the courts.

In 1994 completes the mandate to have a guardian ad litem program in

each judicial district.

In 2000, the staff at guardian ad litem created an manual to provide the

best serves for the program.

In 2003, the program reached 3,800 volunteers serving more than

15,700 children.

In 2010, Guardian ad litem reached 5,000 volunteers.

Need and Future Direction for

Agency

The Agency is in need of volunteers because without the appropriate

number of volunteers, the higher the caseload is for the supervisor and
the children will not receive the full benefits of the program. It is hard to
visit and develop a growing relationship with a child when there are so
many children per volunteer.

If the agency receives the adequate amount of volunteers per child,

then the agency will be able to grow and prosper.