Guardian Ad Litem Training to BeginCLEARWATER - Nearly 100 children in Pinellas County need a caring person to stand up and be their voice in the courtroom and to advocate for them in the child welfare system. The final training this year to become a certified guardian ad litem will begin Tuesday, October 16, at the Criminal Justice Center in Clearwater. Guardians ad litem advocate for abused, abandoned or neglected children and teens in the family courts and the child welfare system. The average time needed is four to six hours a month. As a child's advocate, a guardian ad litem visits the child every month, becomes familiar with the child's case and makes recommendations to the court to help ensure the child has a safe, caring and stable environment. Guardians receive ongoing assistance. To volunteer and arrange to attend a brief orientation, call (727) 464-6528. For more information and an application, go to www.guardianadlitem6.org.
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