About

The Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office’s mission is to provide the most vulnerable children in Florida with an adult from their community who will be a consistent, positive presence in the child’s life, providing the highest quality community advocacy and legal representation to protect each child’s legal interests. The mission also ensures that children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected are represented by advocates who work tirelessly to protect their rights and well-being.

The vision of the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is to provide dependency judges with thorough and accurate information regarding the children under the court’s jurisdiction so that the best possible decisions can be made on their behalf. The office works diligently to ensure that each child’s voice is heard and that their individual needs are considered throughout the legal process.

To achieve this mission and vision, the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office uses a multi-disciplinary team approach. This team includes a Guardian ad Litem Attorney, a child welfare professional, and, whenever possible, a trained volunteer or pro bono attorney. Together, this team advocates for the child in court and in the community, ensuring that the child receives the care, resources, and opportunities they deserve.

Volunteers are an essential part of this process. Trained volunteers serve as consistent, positive adults in the lives of vulnerable children, often becoming the one stable presence during a difficult time. Volunteers work alongside professionals to provide critical information to the court, including details about the child’s educational, medical, emotional, and social needs. Those interested in becoming a part of the volunteer team are encouraged to visit the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office’s volunteer webpage for more information on how to apply and make a difference in the lives of children.