Empower a Child's Future: Volunteer as a Guardian ad Litem Advocate in the Waterbury Region and Nort
Description
The main responsibility of a GAL volunteer is to serve as a friend of the court, acting on behalf of children in protective state custody, with the ultimate goal being the reduction in the time that these children await permanent placement. When assigned a case, the GAL advocate is tasked with providing a thorough investigation to determine what is best for the child(ren), and this is completed by interviewing the child, parents and other family members, social workers, therapists, doctors, and educators. It is important that the GAL has a complete understanding of the situation to make the appropriate recommendations to the court.
Requirements
- Extensive training, supervision, and support provided by the Children in Placement team
- Completion of 40 hours of intensive training, with a 12-hour follow-up annually
- Assigned one case and remain with the case until it is closed, and final placement is successfully found for the child(ren)
Qualifications
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to conduct thorough investigations
- Experience or willingness to learn about child welfare systems
- Passionate about advocating for children's rights
Benefits
- Support from a dedicated team of professionals
- A chance to make a significant impact on a child's life
- A sense of fulfillment from helping children find safety and stability
Pay
N/A
Schedule
On average, volunteers spend approximately 2-5 hours per month working on a case, with most cases lasting between 3-6 months.