Alamance County Guardian ad Litem

Guardian ad Litem (GAL) volunteers are adults who come from diverse communities, cultures, and life and work experiences who hare a sincere concern for the well-being of children. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 7B-601, when a petition alleging abuse or neglect of a juvenile is filed in district court, the judge appoints a volunteer Guardian ad Litem advocate and an attorney advocate

to provide team representation to the child—and this team has full party status in trial and appellate proceedings. All Guardian ad Litem advocates are trained, supervised, and supported by program staff in each county of the state. The collaborative model of GAL attorney advocates, volunteers, and staff ensures that all North Carolina children who are alleged by the Division of Social Services to have been abused or neglected receive GAL legal advocacy services.

“Why use volunteers?” Answering that question for North Carolina entails an evolving history spanning nearly a decade, but the short answer is that volunteers are effective. The model of co-appointing volunteers and attorneys to speak for abused and neglected children in court provides strong, competent advocacy to the children who need it. The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem program is a services division of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, and a member of the National CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate) Association. General Information
To find out more about how to become a child's voice, click the "Become a Volunteer" tab on our Timeline. Fill out the form, and we'll send some information your way! MISSION: Be A Voice For The Children In Our Community
Our mission to serve children has grown through the decades, but volunteers have been central to North Carolina Guardian ad Litem from the start. Read a brief history of our mission below, as well as why volunteers are so essential to our mission today.