Chief Justice Cheri Beasley Declares April as North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Child Advocate Month
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Chief Justice Cheri Beasley has declared the month of April as North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Child Advocate Month in the Judicial Branch by way of a judicial order. April is also National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the JudicIal Branch and Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program would like to recognize the more than 5,500 GAL volunteers who help improve the lives of North Carolina children.
"We appreciate the thousands of volunteers who devote their time, energy and hearts to North Carolina children who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in court as a result of abuse and neglect," said Chief Justice Cheri Beasley. "We thank them for their service not only during this month, but year after year."
North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Child Advocate Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to advocate and provide support for children while preventing child abuse and neglect. During the month of April, communities come together to promote prevention of abuse and neglect across the country and to encourage the social and emotional well-being of children and families.
"Our GAL volunteer child advocates have been changing lives by providing children a voice in court for more than 35 years," said Cindy Bizzell, administrator of the Guardian ad Litem program. "Our volunteers generally work behind the scenes, so we want to take this time to publicly recognize their vital role in advocating for abused and neglected children."
Last year, GAL child advocate volunteers were appointed with attorney advocates to represent more than 18,000 children in 72,369 child abuse and neglect hearings. A child with a GAL volunteer is more likely to find a safe, permanent home, is half as likely to re-enter the foster care system and is more likely to succeed in school.
Under normal circumstances, events are planned and held throughout the state to recognize and celebrate the volunteers who advocate and provide support for our children every day. This year's events have been canceled out of an abundance of concern for the safety of volunteers and staff and to comply with the statewide stay-at-home order. Follow North Carolina Guardian ad Litem on Facebook (@ncGuardianAdLitem) throughout the month as they celebrate safely.