Will You Help a Child?

 Each year, thousands of children in North Carolina are thrust into the Court System through no fault of their own.  Some are victims of violence, psychological torment or sexual abuse.  Others have been neglected or abandoned by their own parents.  All of these children are frightened and confused.  Often these children become re-victimized by an overburdened child welfare system....a complex legal network of lawyers, social workers, and judges who frequently do not have the time to give thorough, detailed attention to each child who comes before them.

The North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program was created in 1983 under the Administrative Office of the Courts to make sure that the abuse and neglect these children originally suffered would not be compounded by the system created to serve them.  

Our mission is to provide trained independent advocates to represent and promote the best interests of abused, neglected, and dependent children in the state court system and to work towards a plan that ensures that these children are in a safe permanent home.

A Guardian ad Litem is a trained community volunteer who is paired with an Attorney Advocate to ensure that the child's rights and best interests are before the Court.  Ad Litem means "this litigation" or "for this case".  The GAL is appointed to represent the child only for the duration of the Court's involvement and does not serve as the child's legal guardian.

The GAL serves as the child's voice in court.  Duties include exploring all the facts relevant to the case, making recommendations to the Court, and monitoring the case so that it will move through the Court and Social Service systems without needless delays.  The GAL is the only person whose sole task is to focus on the best interests of the child.                                                

                                    There is a child in the system that needs you!  

                                        For more information about the Guardian ad Litem Program in Rowan County,

please call our Salisbury office at (704) 639-7517 

For more information about the Guardian ad Litem Program in Cabarrus County,

please contact the Concord office at (704) 784-4151

You may also email us in Rowan County at rowanguardian@yahoo.com and in Cabarrus County at jeanne.a.dixon@nccourts.org