Over 4500 volunteers provide their services as guardians ad litem in Florida. The mission of the State of Florida Guardian Ad Litem program is to advocate for the best interest of children who are alleged to be abused, neglected, or abandoned and who are involved in court proceedings. Best interests include the child's physical safety and emotional well-being and permanent placement in a stable and nurturing home environment that fosters the child's healthy growth and development.

Guardians ad litem function in many roles, including:

1. Information Gatherer: The Program collects all relevant facts about the circumstances which brought the matter before the court. Information is collected through personal interviews, observing the child's interactions with others and a review of all records and documents.
2. Reporter: The Program files written reports with the court summarizing the information gathered. The report may include the Program's recommendation regarding the child and a statement of the child's wishes, as required by the court and Florida Statutes.
3. Monitor/Intercessor: The Program verifies that court orders are carried out and that the families receive the assistance and intervention that have been mandated. This often includes assistance in identifying resources and programs that may address the needs of the child and the child's family. The Program monitors the child's well-being and the family's progress in reaching the goals of the case plan, while striving to expedite the proceedings.
4. Spokesperson/Special Advocate: The Program is a party to the case and serves as a spokesperson for the best interests of the child.

The volunteer guardian ad litem acts as the child's advocate. He or she does not replace legal counsel or the social worker, nor do guardians ad litem assume the role of surrogate parent. Program personnel have the authority to assign individual volunteers to perform specific duties in cases and to remove volunteers from a case whenever such action is deemed appropriate.

To become a GAL, a person must go through several steps.

• The potential volunteer must complete a detailed application form.
• All applicants are screened for criminal records and a background investigation is conducted.
• Each potential volunteer is required to provide two positive character references in writing.
• A volunteer must complete thirty hours of training that includes topics such as dynamics of child abuse and neglect, social services, and the court system.

Florida has twenty judicial circuits, and GAL Programs have been organized in each of them. If you are interested in volunteering your time as a guardian ad litem, please contact the program director.