Representing Children in Court-Ordered Cases
GAL provides advocacy for children of Brown County affected by litigation involving potential or actual abuse and/or neglect and/or whose needs and circumstances need to be heard in the proceeding.
Court-ordered GAL involvement may include, but is not limited to:
- Children in Need of Services (CHINS)
- Termination of parental rights
- Adoption proceedings
- Juvenile delinquent proceedings
- Juvenile status proceedings
- Guardianship proceedings
- Paternity proceedings
- Dissolution of marriage involving child custody and parenting time issues
- Victim representative for child victims of crime
Guardians ad litem serve the critical role of making sure that the Court has the necessary information to insure that the interests of each child are not ignored or forgotten, but are considered separately from the interest of any other person, so that a decision can be made based upon the best interest for each child.
The Honorable Frank M. Nardi Magistrate, Brown Circuit Court
More to Know
Who Enters Our Program
The Brown County GAL represents only those children who have been court-ordered into the GAL program.
What Ages are Represented
In most cases, children assigned to the program range from infancy to 18 years of age.
How Long We are Involved
The GAL volunteer remains with the child or children throughout the litigation process, until the court has closed the case.
Numbers That Tell the Story
The Scope of Abuse and Neglect
At least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year in the U.S.
The Extent of the Need
In 2021, the Indiana Department of Child Services received 231,091 referrals. The number continues to grow.
The Direct Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect
The 2021 direct costs of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States (the Child Welfare system, medical care, mental health services, the judicial system, law enforcement) add up to a staggering $78,405,740,013.
The Indirect Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect
The 2021 indirect costs (early intervention, emergency housing, special education, mental health and health care, adult criminality, lost productivity) cost the U.S. taxpayer an additional $1,854,671,074 per year.
The Work of Volunteers
In 2020, an estimated 242,236 children were served by some 93,225 Guardian Ad Litem volunteers and Court Appointed Special Advocates nationwide.
The Commitment of Volunteers
In 2021, Guardian Ad Litem and Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers donated more than 4.3 million hours to make a difference in the lives of more than 240,000 children in the U.S.
The Outcome of Representation
Research shows that a child with a GAL/CASA volunteer is 50% less likely to re-enter the system. Cases involving a GAL volunteer also are more likely to be “permanently closed”. Just 9% of GAL children reenter the system - in contrast to 16% of children not served by an advocate.
The Impact on Foster Care
Children with a GAL volunteer are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care: 13.3% of cases versus 27% of all children in care.
Some of the most difficult cases we decide as judicial officers are those cases involving children. The thorough, independent, and objective recommendations of the Guardian ad Litem are essential to the Court having the information it needs to make a decision that serves the best interests of the child.
The Honorable Mary H. Wertz Judge, Brown Circuit Court
Let's Have a Conversation
If you believe being a volunteer is a good fit or if you simply have questions about Brown County Guardian ad Litem, let's set up a call with our director, Sallyann.