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Guardians Ad Litem Give Children A Voice

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By SHERRI LONON

In The Loop

Published: January 24, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - At any given time, there are hundreds of Pasco County children who find themselves stuck in the legal system because of abuse, neglect or abandonment. Removed from their homes through no fault of their own, they must navigate unsure territory without an advocate of their own.

Thanks to the Guardian ad Litem program, many of Pasco's youngsters do have a voice. The program matches trained volunteers with children in the system. Once matched, volunteers work on the child's behalf to make sure their needs are met and their best interests are represented.

Volunteers advocate on the child's behalf, not the state's or the parents', said Marco Sandusky, Pasco area coordinator for the program.

In abuse and neglect situations, "the state is represented, the parents are represented, but there is the child - left to navigate a system that is very" cumbersome.

This is where the Guardian ad Litem program comes in. The nonprofit organization and its team of volunteers, lawyers and counselors often are assigned by the courts to work with children in the system. The No. 1 mission of a volunteer is to give a youngster a voice in the system, Sandusky said.

Although Pasco's program has about 140 active volunteers, roughly 400 children assigned to the program do not have a volunteer to work on their side. Guardian ad Litem's staff picks up the slack, but children often fare better when they have a dedicated adult to monitor their situations and speak on their behalf, Sandusky said.

Volunteers have the advantage of working with a single child if they so choose. This means they can dedicate their full attention to that youngster's needs and still receive support from the program's legal advisers and other trained professionals.

Considering the numbers of youngsters who do not have a volunteer, Sandusky said the need for more people is "huge." To bolster its numbers, Guardian ad Litem will hold a training program starting Jan. 31 at First United Methodist Church of Land O' Lakes, 6209 Land O' Lakes Blvd.

The five-week program runs on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. During training, volunteers are taught the basics they need to represent children and to work with state agencies and the court system to advocate on behalf of their charges.

First United member Sally Semple has been a volunteer with the program for nearly two years. She said it is challenging but very rewarding.

"I just felt called to do it," Semple said. "I believe very strongly that our children must be protected. It's the responsibility of every adult to do that. Children don't have a voice."

Semple has taken on several cases since she completed her training. She even has a success story in the making, having managed to get a toddler moved from one temporary home into a situation where her chances for permanent adoption are greater.

Making sure children are in safe, loving and stable environments is the aim of the program, Sandusky said. Giving youngsters a shot at finding a permanent home also is a priority if parental ties have been severed.

"There is nothing more important for a child than to have the security of a family," said Sandusky. "Finding the right situation for the child to be in" is essential.

Anne Worthley also is a church member and program volunteer. She and her husband, Gary, represent seven children. They work with youngsters of all ages.

Working with teens is a little different than advocating on behalf of infants and toddlers, Worthley explained.

"They have a different set of problems than the other kids do," she said. "They've got to trust you. If they don't, they're not going to respond to you."

Even though the Worthleys work and travel for their jobs, Anne said finding the time for the program has been worth the effort.

"We're lucky we have been exposed to" the children, she said. "It does make you feel like you're making a difference."

Program volunteers spend about four to six hours a month working on cases. They are expected to visit their assigned child monthly. In addition, they file reports with the court system about the child's needs and offer recommendations on placement.

Volunteers who work with teens and older children also advocate on behalf of their educational needs and try to offer assistance in making sure they are prepared for adult decisions regarding their education, employment and more, Sandusky said.

"I've seen volunteers make a very big difference," he said. "This is for folks who are looking to be challenged."

For program information, call (352) 521-5178 or visit www.guardianadlitem6.org.

In addition to training, volunteers must pass a background check. The age requirement is 19. Legal professionals interested in earning continuing education credits and pro bono hours also may volunteer. The training provided and work involved is different for lawyers, Sandusky said.

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