Volunteers needed to become guardians ad litem

MONTPELIER—When the Department for Children and Families seeks to take a child into custody, Vermont law requires the court to appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL). GALs are volunteer, court appointed special advocates who protect a child’s best interests in these juvenile court cases, which usually involve allegations of abuse or neglect.
A GAL works closely with the child’s attorney, meets with the child regularly, and gathers information from people involved in the child’s life to understand the child’s needs and advocate for the best interests in court. The GAL’s goal is to ensure the child has a safe, stable, and permanent home as quickly as possible.
GALs come from all walks of life, and no prior experience in the courts,  the child welfare system or specialized education is required. Successful applicants must be compassionate, have a flexible schedule, pass a background check, and have reliable transportation and internet access. All GALs must complete 32 hours of training, which is provided by the judiciary, and a mentorship with an experienced GAL prior to being appointed to cases.
Right now, there is an urgent need for volunteers and too many children risk not having this essential support. The need is especially great in underserved communities such as Orleans, Franklin, Grand Isle, Caledonia, Lamoille, Bennington and Essex counties.
For more information go to VermontJudiciary.org/GAL, email Jud.VermontGAL@vtcourts.gov or call (800) 622-6359. The Judiciary welcomes volunteer candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.
The program’s next hybrid training will be on the following Mondays: January 12, 19, and 26, and February 2. The trainings on January 12 and February 2 will be in-person trainings in Berlin; the trainings on January 19 and 26 will be held over Zoom.