Frequently Asked Questions
The Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs is a private, 501(c)3 organization that provides support and services to the 35 Child Advocate programs in the state. These programs recruit, screen, train and supervise community volunteers who assist the court in protecting the best interests of abused abandoned and neglected children in Washington State.
What is a Child Advocate/GAL Volunteer?
- 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.
What is the role of a Child Advocate/GAL Volunteer?
- A Child Advocate/GAL’s role in abuse and neglect proceedings is to present the court with an informed and objective perspective regarding what is in the best interest of the child.
What does a Child Advocate/GAL Volunteer do?
- Once appointed by a juvenile court judge, our Child Advocate/GAL volunteers begin a process of information gathering with the goal of guiding abused children out of the foster care system, identifying the child’s needs and ensuring they receive services ranging from psychological treatment, to educational assistance, to parent/family education. Volunteers act as a communications link between the complicated pieces of the child welfare system. Child Advocate/GALs gather all the pertinent information about the child’s case and make recommendations to the judge based on that information.
How long does a Child Advocate/GAL Volunteer remain involved on a case?
- Child Advocate/GAL volunteers are asked to make a commitment to stay with each case they assume until the case closes through reunification with the family, adoption, or “aging out” of the system. In most counties in Washington State, Child Advocate/GALs are not assigned to children 12 years old and over.
What training does a Child Advocate/GAL Volunteer receive?
- Each Child Advocate/GAL volunteer must complete a comprehensive 30 hour pre-service training. Trainees learn about the child welfare system, how to work with children involved in the system, cultural competence, court report writing and effective advocacy techniques. Professionals from social service agencies, attorneys and judges participate with the Child Advocate/GAL staff to share their expertise.
- Once trained and assigned to a case, volunteers can choose from a range of options to satisfy the 12 hours of continuing education training that are required of advocates annually.
Is there a “typical” Child Advocate/GAL Volunteer?
- Child Advocate/GAL volunteers come from all walks of life with a variety of professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. Across Washington state, volunteers include working professionals, retirees, writers and editors, students and educators, realtors, health care professionals, mothers, fathers, and grandparents.
Who can be a Child Advocate/GAL Volunteer?
- 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.
How much time is required?
- In the same amount of time you spend each week doing something ordinary, such as going out to dinner or watching a movie, you can do something extraordinary—change the life of an abused and neglected child.
- Volunteers average 15-20 hours on their case per month. However, cases that are more complex may require more time researching and conducting interviews with involved parities.
How does a Child Advocate/GAL research the case?
- To prepare their recommendations for the court, Child Advocate/GAL volunteers meet with the parents and other family members, social workers, school officials, healthcare professionals, and all others involved in the child’s life. Most importantly, Child Advocate/GALs visit with the child(ren) at least once each month in order to gain a full understanding of the situation.
How does a Child Advocate/GAL Volunteer relate to the child(ren) to whom they are assigned?
- Child Advocate/GAL offer children a source of stability and trust during complex legal proceedings. They often explain to the child the meaning of the events and the role of all the involved parties. Our Advocates also encourage the child to express his or her own opinions, feelings, and hopes, while remaining objective observers.
Why is a Child Advocate/GAL Volunteer needed?
- A Child Advocate/GAL volunteer, being assigned to just one or two cases at a time, can focus on gathering all of the pertinent information, meet regularly with the children and report their findings to the judge so that the Court can make an informed decision regarding a child’s future. Child Advocate/GALs are trained to investigate the facts, facilitate communication and cooperation, advocate for the child’s best interest and monitor the court orders on the case. The driving philosophy behind Child Advocate/GAL is that a child has the right to a permanent, safe home, and volunteers work to challenge the system to formulate a long term permanent plan for each child in a timely manner.