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Fact Sheet
What is Speak Up! For Kids of Palm Beach County, Inc.?
Speak Up! For Kids of PBC raises funds to support the 15th Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program. Additionally, Speak Up! For Kids raises funds to meet the social, educational, and medical needs of Palm Beach County’s abused, abandoned, and neglected children.
What is the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Program?
The 15th Judicial Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Program recruits, trains, supports, and supervises court-appointed adults to represent the best interests of Palm Beach County’s abused, abandoned, and neglected children in dependency court proceedings. Guardians ad Litem Speak Up! for the abused, abandoned, or neglected children in juvenile court.
Begun as a grassroots organization in 1983, Palm Beach County’s Guardian ad Litem Program is currently one of the most nationally respected GAL Programs. It is part of a nationwide network of advocacy organizations under the umbrella of the National Court-Appointed Special Advocates Association (NCASAA).
Why Speak Up! For Kids?
Speak Up! For Kids exists to fill a big gap. The State of Florida requires that the interests of every abused, abandoned, and neglected child be represented by a GAL. However, the GAL Program does not receive adequate public funding. That’s where Speak Up! For Kids helps.
How many children does the GAL Program represent?
Although the number fluctuates, in December 2010 there were approximately 1,100 children in Palm Beach County’s foster care system. That month, the GAL Program achieved a landmark of 1095 or 99.5% representation of children and youth in our county.
How can I get involved?
Everybody can Speak Up! by making a financial contribution, volunteering their time or becoming a Guardian Ad Litem.
What do Gals do?
- Speak up for the best interests of the child
- Gather information through regular visits with the child
- Conduct interviews with people associated with the child, such as parents, caregivers and all social and medical service providers
- Attend hearings on the child’s behalf
- Make recommendations to the judge
Anyone who:
- Possesses a strong desire to help children
- Demonstrates good judgment and common sense
- Exhibits good communication skills
- Provides favorable references and consents to a background check
- Completes 30 hours of training
- Is at least 21 years old
How can I Speak Up?
- If you would like to make a financial contribution, please go to the donate or contact pages on this site.
- To become a Guardian ad Litem volunteer, call (561) 355-2773.