By Erin Smith
If you have a heart for children and are seeking a volunteer opportunity, you may want to consider becoming a Guardian ad Litem volunteer. These volunteers represent the interests and speak on behalf of children in North Carolina’s court system.
Scott Herrera, who serves as the Guardian ad Litem Program Supervisor for the 13th Prosecutorial District, of which Bladen County is a member, said Bladen County is in need of volunteers to serve as Guardian ad Litems. He said becoming a volunteer is simple and does not require a special college degree or any type of special skills, just a desire to be an advocate for children.
He said many of the Guardian ad Litem volunteers are retirees but they do have some members of the program who are professionals.
Herrera said currently there are five Guardian ad Litem volunteers in Bladen County. Ideally, there should be 12 to 15 volunteers, said Herrera.
“This program is so important. It is so crucial to have a Guardian ad Litem for every case,” said Herrera.
The role of the Guardian ad Litem is to protect and advocate for the best interests of children and to provide a record of their findings to the court. The Guardian ad Litem is the voice for the child throughout the court proceedings.
Herrera said each new Guardian ad Litem volunteer is given a 15-hour training class and is supported by a mentor. The next training class for Guardian ad Litem volunteers is scheduled for February 6th in Whiteville and a second class is scheduled for April in Brunswick County.
Herrera said, during the class, the volunteers will learn the basic requirements of the program and the Guardian ad Litem statutes in North Carolina. Once the training class is completed, each new volunteer is then sworn in by Judge Fairley.
Herrera said once a volunteer is sworn-in and receives their first case, they will be paired with a veteran Guardian ad Litem volunteer to assist them. He said every attempt is made to pair volunteers with cases which are suited to their strengths.
He said one of the Guardian ad Litem’s duties is to prepare a report for the court. Herrera said the Guardian ad Litem’s report is different from the report prepared by the social worker or the attorney. The report prepared by the Guardian ad Litem for the court is in depth and focused on the child. It addresses issues which may be occurring with school, issues which may happening in the foster home, any issues the child may have which the Judge needs to know, and any issues which may require the court to expedite the judicial process.
The program is part of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Court. Herrera said the program was established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1983.
Herrera shared his own experience as a Guardian ad Litem.
“I was a Guardian ad Litem volunteer when I was in college at Western Carolina University,” said Herrera.
He said after completing his military service, he was informed all he could do was work in law enforcement. Herrera said he enrolled in Criminal Justice courses and began his volunteer career with the Guardian ad Litem program at the same time. Herrera said it was while he was volunteering with the Asheville/Buncombe County Guardian ad Litem program he realized child advocacy or juvenile justice was where his interests lay.
“That was what led me to juvenile justice (as a career),” said Herrera. In October 2017, he transitioned to his current position with the Guardian ad Litem program for the 13th Prosecutorial District which consists of Bladen, Brunswick, and Columbus counties.
Herrera said, each time the Guardian ad Litem goes to court, and the Judge reads the Guardian’s report, it can make a difference for a child.
To become a volunteer with the Guardian ad Litem program, go to the website volunteerforGAL.org and click on the link to volunteer, and complete the form. For questions regarding the Bladen County Guardian ad Litem program, contact Herrera at 910-269-9107.
About Author
