Guardian Ad Litem Office - 11th Judicial Circuit

The mission of the State of Florida Guardian Ad Litem Program is to advocate for the best interest of children who are alleged to be abused, neglected or abandoned and who are involved in court proceedings. Best interests include preservation of the child's physical safety and emotional well-being; permanent placement in a stable and nurturing home environment that fosters the child's healthy growth and development; and protection form futher harm during the child's envolvement in the court system.

Guardians Ad Litem are apppointed to cases by the program to be the "eyes and ears" of the court as well as the "voice" for a child in court. They investigate allegations of abuse, abandonment and neglect; and make recommendations to the court in behalf of what they feel is in a child's best interest. Guardians visit the child once a month and gather information so they can learn what the child's needs and issues are.