AGENCY OVERVIEW OF

GUARDIAN AD LITEM
 MISSION STATEMENT

North Carolina Guardian ad Litem equips community

volunteers to serve abused and neglected children
by advocating for their best interests in court.
 CORE VALUES
• Outstanding representation with what’s best for a child

• The time put in will show how effective a volunteer could advocate for what is
best for their child based off needs and wishes.
 ETHICS
1. Focus on the best interest of the child-client by keeping personal issues and
biases aside.
2. Carry out GAL duties with professionalism by exercising sound judgment,
maintaining professional boundaries, protecting the confidentiality of the
child-client to include the case information, and preserving the credibility
of the Program.
3. Have direct and enough contact with the child-client to conduct an
investigation that is valid and independent of the circumstance that the
child-client is facing, allowing for the child-client to express their wishes and
representing their best interest in comprehensive, in-depth and factual
recommendations.
4. Maintain the highest level of respect and courtesy with the child-client’s
family
 CONTINUED
5. Discuss the child-client’s case with the judge only during the official judicial
proceeding for that case.
6. Maintain respectful contact with the social worker assigned to the case to
include providing the social worker with relevant and new information on
the case.
7. Respect the communication with the foster placement by maintaining all
contact with the purpose of it being in the child’s best interest.
8. Remain respectful with all service providers and following all of the
guidelines set forth by the Program.
9. Avoid actions that may create conflict of interest impacting the
confidence of the court, community agencies, and/or the public.
 HISTORY
• In 1960’s national movement began with a goal of assuring that child victims would
have an independent voice in court.
• Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) enacted in 1973
• CAPTA required states to provide juveniles with a legal representation in child welfare
proceedings
• The first time NC appointed a GAL attorney as part of the CAPTA requirement was in
1977. However, the appointment of a GAL attorney was not mandatory for all cases.
• In 1979, statue was amended so all abuse and neglect cases has an appointed GAL
attorney.
• Over the following 5 years, the state evaluated the cost and effectives and decided that
trained citizen volunteers could perform the non-legal duties.
• In 1983, The office of GAL services launched the program to be operated with
volunteers.
• By 1994, GAL programs had been established locally throughout all of NC judicial
districts.
 NEEDS/ FUTURE DIRECTION AT
LOCAL DISTRICT
• Needs:
• Recruitment of volunteers
• Coverage of cases in all counties
• Future Direction:
• Have enough volunteers to cover cases

Miller, Sonya, personal communication, January 23, 2019

 REFERENCES
• Miller, Sonya, personal communication, January 23, 2019
• North Carolina Guardian Ad Litem. (2016.) Guardian ad litem guide