Page 16 - Harnett Life Fall 2021

Be a Voice for Children in Our Community

Become a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer

By Crissy Neville

resident who oversees 116 GAL volunteers and works to ad-
dress the legal needs of some 455 kids on the current roster —
a daily changing number — 92 of whom are awaiting a GAL
assignment.

DeLong expressed her view of GAL’s importance. “Our pro-
gram has the opportunity to support citizen volunteers who
give up their time to ensure these children’s voices are heard
in the court system. These wonderful citizen volunteers give of
their time to go out and have contact with the kids, their fami-
lies and other professionals involved in this work to make sure
that, when a court is deciding what needs to happen in the best
interest of the child, the court has the child’s perspective to use
in making that decision.”

GAL volunteers are adults that come from diverse communi-
ties, cultures, life and work experiences. While no particular
experience is required, all GALs share a sincere concern for
the well-being of children. The application process includes a
criminal background check, screening interview and 30 hours
of intensive, standardized training, currently offered virtually
with a blend of virtual classroom training and online modules
— in-service follow-up courses.

Once approved, trained, sworn in at an official ceremony and
Michelle Kase stands with Harnett County Attorney Char- appointed for specific actions pending in the Department of
lene Edwards who sponsored the awards for 2020 and 2021 Social Services court, most volunteers, according to DeLong,
spend approximately eight hours per month performing statu-
If you seek to make a real difference in this world through torily mandated duties. She noted that most volunteers work
meaningful volunteer work, the North Carolina Guardian ad full-time and coordinate the time off they need to volunteer
Litem Program (GAL) offers the chance for you to do just with their employers.
that — in service to the state’s abused and neglected children.
Established by statute in 1983, the GAL program’s staff and “Some companies offer community service hours for when a
participants have advocated and been the voice of such youth, volunteer misses for GAL duties or to attend court,” Delong
ages birth until turning 18, for more than 30 years. said. “Our office can provide a note from the court if asked,
and even a subpoena if needed for court attendance, depending
North Carolina GAL program is part of the North Carolina on the nature of the work and whatever requirements the em-
Courts. It is appointed to represent the best interest of children ployer has. I have found folks who work full-time know how
involved in Juvenile Court due to allegations of abuse and ne- much time they have to do what they need to do and manage
glect. their time well to achieve that. Others who volunteer may have
flexible time but still work full-time in other capacities.”
District 11, comprised of Harnett, Johnston and Lee counties,
is the local connection for a collaborative model of GAL made Every county in the state has GAL volunteers, currently num-
up of attorney advocates, volunteers and staff that work to en- bering about 5,300 persons who help 18,000 children a year.
sure the best outcomes for these children who find themselves These individuals advocate nearly half a million hours of vol-
in court through no fault of their own. Heading the program unteer service a year, amounting to some $11 million in sav-
is District Administrator Allison S. DeLong, a Harnett County ings for the state. More volunteers are needed in every county,
Page 16 Harnett Life ~ Fall 2021