The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem program, established in 1983 by the North Carolina General Assembly, equips community volunteers to serve abused and neglected children by advocating for their best interests in court. When a petition alleging abuse or neglect of a juvenile is filed in district court, a volunteer GAL advocate and an attorney advocate are appointed to provide team representation to the child, ensuring full party status in trial and appellate proceedings.
All GAL advocates in North Carolina are trained, supervised, and supported by program staff in each county of the state, following a collaborative model that guarantees legal advocacy services to children alleged to have been abused or neglected by the Department of Social Services. The program aims to make a difference in the lives of people, especially abused and neglected children, by providing a unique volunteer opportunity for individuals with a sincere concern for the well-being of children.
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