What is a Guardian Ad Litem or friends, teachers, doctors and others are working together. The volunteer Appointed Special who know the child. will check that the parents are talking Advocate? to the school, the social workers, and Monitor – The GAL/CASA doctors, and that all these people are In Indiana, when children are volunteer works as the “eyes and the also talking to one another so the child involved in court cases, the may ears” of the judge by checking up on gets the best care possible. The choose someone to look out for the the parents and agencies involved in GAL/CASA volunteer may also ask the child’s welfare. These people are the case to make sure everyone is judge to order more services for the called Guardian Ad Litem/Court following the orders of the judge. If child. the judge’s orders are not being Appointed Special Advocates (or Is a GAL/CASA volunteer a “GAL/CASA volunteers” for short). followed, the volunteer can tell the ? In Indiana, there are almost 2000 judge. GAL/CASA volunteers representing Sometimes the GAL/CASA children involved with the court Speak for the child – The GAL/CASA volunteers speaks for volunteers are or social because they are juvenile delinquents, workers, but many times they are just have been abused or neglected, have the child to the , at case conferences and to other agencies regular people who have other full mental problems, or because of time jobs. Even though they are not custody fights between parents. (like child welfare) to tell them what is best for the child. lawyers, they receive training about These volunteers act for the child in the and how to deal with children the courtroom, deal with social Report to the court – After and families in trouble. The services, and help in cases of family investigating the child’s situation, the GAL/CASA volunteer speaks to the crisis. Their goal is to protect the GAL/CASA volunteer forms an court about what is best for the child, child’s safety and feelings, and make opinion about what the court or child not what the child wants. The sure the child lives in a good home welfare agency should do and makes a volunteer may recommend things to where he or she will not be abused. written report for the judge. In the the judge that the child does not like. The GAL/CASA may recommend What do GAL/CASA volunteers report, the volunteer offers the judge advice on how he should rule. The things the parents do not like either. do? judge does not have to follow this advice, but he will pay attention to When are GAL/CASA Investigate – The GAL/CASA what the GAL/CASA volunteer volunteers used? volunteer gathers information about reports. the child’s situation by talking to the 1. The child is threatening to hurt child and people who know him or Find needed services – The himself or others; her and by collecting any reports or GAL/CASA volunteer may find written records. The volunteer may other needed services for the child 2. The child has been abused or interview parents, family members, and make sure the agencies involved neglected, the judge must take the child away from the parents The services of a GAL/CASA volunteer forever and the parents do not are not free; but when the law requires the Guardians Ad want this to happen; judge to get a GAL/CASA volunteer for the case, they are usually free to the Litem 3. The child is born with drugs or parents. However, in cases like divorce, alcohol in his body; the parents must pay for the volunteer’s services. The amount may be around 4. The child is not getting needed $50.00 per hour. medical care; or Last Revised 11/2002 Special Code: 1330000 5. The court cannot find the child’s

parents.

The judge may order a GAL/CASA ILS Office Contact Numbers

volunteer to speak for the child in Prepared by: other kinds of cases, like: Bloomington: Hammond: (812) 339-7668 (219) 853-2360 Indiana Legal Services, Inc. 1. The child is a juvenile delinquent; 1-800-822-4774 Indianapolis: 2. The child is abused or neglected; Columbus: (317) 631-9410 (812) 372-6918 1-800-869-0212 3. The parents are fighting for 1-866-644-6407 custody during a divorce; or Lafayette: The production of this pamphlet is made possible by a grant Evansville: (765) 423-5327 from the Indiana Foundation and the assistance of Ice (812) 426-1295 1-800-382-7581 Miller. 4. In an adoption or paternity case. 1-800-852-3477 New Albany: This pamphlet is for information only. It is NOT . How can I get a GAL/CASA Fort Wayne: (812) 945-4123 For legal advice, contact a private attorney or a lawyer at the volunteer? (260) 424-9155 1-800-892-2776 nearest Legal Services Office. 1-888-442-8600 Parents cannot get a GAL/CASA South Bend: and Policies change. Please look at the last revised date Gary: to make sure the information is still current. volunteer for their child’s case. Only (574) 234-8121 (219) 886-3161 1-800-288-8121 the judge can appoint a GAL/CASA 1-888-255-5104 Information Available on the web volunteer. The parents, a lawyer, or a www.indianajustice.org social worker can ask the judge to do this.

Do I have to pay for a GAL/CASA?