Guardian Ad Litem Program

The Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office provides legal representation for abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Florida's dependency court system. The organization focuses on advocating for the legal interests and social needs of children caught in the complex foster care system. Its approach involves a multi-disciplinary team, which typically includes a Guardian ad Litem Attorney, a child welfare professional, and a trained volunteer or pro bono attorney. This team model has been recognized as a best practice in child representation since 1993.

The office's mission is to offer high-quality community advocacy and legal representation to protect each child's legal interests, ensuring they have a consistent, positive adult presence. It also aims to provide dependency judges with thorough and accurate information to make decisions in the child's best interest. With over 180 attorneys on staff and thousands of volunteers, the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office works to support the whole child, addressing their physical, educational, mental, emotional, social, and legal needs. The organization strives to ensure every child finds a safe, loving, and permanent home where they can thrive.