By The Chronicle staff
The Lewis County Juvenile Court Guardian ad Litem program is looking for volunteers to advocate on behalf of children whose futures are to be determined in dependency hearings. The children involved in dependency hearings are often affected by alleged abuse, neglect, substance abuse or mental health issues in their homes.
“These children in our community need hope, they need to know that they matter, they need to know that they are loved,” said Susan Wickert, the program manager.
According to a news release from the county, there are 125 Lewis County children who currently require dependency hearings. While children 8 years and older have their stated interest represented by an attorney, every child from birth until the age of 18 receives a court-appointed advocate to investigate and present solutions in the child’s best interest.
“It’s purposeful work and can change the life of a child and their family,” said Christine Dickinson, the Guardian ad Litem program coordinator.
Volunteers are currently needed for 31 Lewis County children who do not have a courtroom advocate.
“Abuse and neglect of children happens right here in our communities,” said Shad Hail, Lewis County Juvenile Court administrator. “Our guardians ad litem can be a caring and stable voice in a child’s life throughout their case, and sometimes may be the only stability they experience in what can feel like a very difficult and chaotic process.”
According to Hail, the role of the guardian ad litem is to advocate for a child’s interest rather than their stated interest.
“Especially for young children, what they want may not be in their best interest,” Hail said. “It’s a really critical role.”
Hail told The Chronicle the program works with volunteers from different backgrounds and trains and supports volunteers to help them advocate for the children they work with.
According to Hail, “no one specific kind of person” is wanted for the program, which looks for people who “care about kids” and can make the time commitment.
Volunteers are required to be of “upstanding” character and must pass background checks. Initial training for volunteers is 30 hours, followed by ongoing training throughout their service. Required time commitments for volunteers are generally for two years with a minimum commitment of 18 months. The amount of time a volunteer will spend on a case varies from month to month and depends on the stage of a case.
Hail said the program tries to match people to cases based on their availability and the type of cases available.
“Working for what’s in the best interest of the child is so worth it,” said Nichole Davis, the program coordinator.
For more information on the Guardian ad Litem program and to learn how to assist, visit https://lewiscountygal.org/ or call 360-740-2625 or 360-740-2683.
