Volunteer Guardian ad Litem

The Asotin & Garfield Child Advocate Program is seeking volunteer child advocates!

A Child Advocate or volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is a specially trained citizen appointed by the Juvenile Court judge to represent a child victim in cases of abuse and neglect. Cases can last anywhere from a few months to a few years, and a child advocate is meant to be a stable, safe adult whom the child can rely on through the whole process.

Duties:

• Meet with assigned child at least once a month, explain to the child the meaning of the events and the role of all the involved parties, encourage the child to express his or her own opinions, feelings, and hopes
• Communicate with anyone and everyone involved in the child's life and care (parents, social workers, teachers, coaches, extended family, foster placements, etc.)
• Gather information about the child's unique needs and wishes and advocate for those needs in sometimes complex government and community systems
• Write and submit a report for the judge prior to court dates with "best-interest" recommendations for the child's safety, wellbeing and permanency
• Keep detailed logs and notes of all advocacy efforts for program and court records

Experience/Qualifications:

• No special skills are required–only the desire and commitment to make a difference. Advocates must be 21 years old, and are asked for a minimum commitment of two years in order to ensure stability and consistency for the children we serve.
• The primary requirements for being a Child Advocate/GAL volunteer are that you have a genuine interest in the well being of children, are a proactive communicator and successfully complete a thorough screening, background check and training process.
• Child Advocates/GAL volunteers are objective, responsible, committed, and persistent and understand the important role they have in a child’s life.

For more information, visit wachildadvocates.org or email asotin_garfield@wachildadvocates.org