A guardian ad litem (GAL) is an official representative in a Child Protective Services case. The GAL appointment entitles our volunteer advocates to access information about the child's situation from medical, educational, and professional providers, and requires our volunteers to report to the court in the child's best interest, placing CASA on equal footing with other child advocates on the case. Legally, a child in CPS care must have a GAL, and we’re filling that official role. Not all CASA programs are appointed as GAL.

Learn more about this official role in our blog post, Understanding Guardian Ad Litem.