Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem

A Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem performs five separate functions: 1. A fact finder or investigator whose task it is to seek out all the relevant facts surrounding a child's abuse/neglect case; 2. A reporter whose task it is to ensure that all relevant facts are before the court in writing at all dispositional hearings; 3. An advocate for the child whose task it is to ensure that the court has before it at the dispositional hearing all available options which are in the child's best interests; 4. A guardian or protector in the broadest sense of the word whose task it is to ensure that the child's interests are fully protected; and 5. A monitor who ensures that court orders are carried out, all services are provided, and brings to the cvourt's attention any new developments or changes.