Four years in foster care: I know the value of Guardian ad Litem | Opinion

Rayla James
Your Turn
The Guardian ad Litem office is in the Leon County Courthouse Annex building on Thomasville Road.

I am a former foster youth who spent four years in care and aged out of the Florida foster system at 18. My experiences fueled my passion for the advocacy work I am involved in local and statewide today. Thus, I am writing in response to an opinion in the Tallahassee Democrat about attorneys for children, as it hits on a topic close to my heart.

As a youth who experienced the turbulence of dependency court, I believe Gov. DeSantis was correct in vetoing the $2.4 million Child Representation Pilot Project. This would have granted Palm Beach and Broward counties funding to shift from Guardian ad Litem (GAL) legal representation to child-directed attorney representation.

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I agree that children in care need appropriate support in court to amplify their voices, but I do not think funding a new project would ensure children have their interests heard. I think GAL volunteers, such as those I had throughout my time in care, are better suited for this role for two important reasons.

From my experience, it takes time for youth to establish the trust and respect needed to disclose the issues that need to be addressed. Meeting with a child for 15 minutes before a judicial review will not cut it when building a solid relationship needed for vulnerable discussions to occur. On the other hand, volunteers have the time that attorneys do not have outside of a courtroom when it comes to getting to know a child and fully understanding their perspective on their case.

When I was in care, my first GAL helped me recover my original birth certificate, taught me how to drive, and met with me at least once every two weeks. She was there for me in more ways than any foster parent or group home staff I knew at the time.

Second, GALs provide ongoing support after turning 18. I am fortunate to remain in contact with the GALs I had. These individuals played pivotal roles in my life and taught me how to stand up for others and myself during critical points.

For example, the second GAL I had before ageing out helped me understand and complete high school graduation requirements, enroll in college, and set timelines for my personal and professional goals. At 21, I have two mentors with whom I am closer than any of my biological family. Without their support, I would not be on the unwavering path to success that I am today despite all the challenges I have faced.

As a youth who knows the profound impact GAL volunteers make in a person’s life, I implore readers to show more support for a best-practice model already in place that changes hundreds of lives across the state daily.

Changing representation for children in the system from GAL legal representation to child-directed attorney representation would cause considerable upheaval and woefully deny youth support available to help transform the trajectory of their lives.

Rayla James

Rayla James is a former foster youth using her experiences in care to advocate for Florida child welfare policy and practice changes. She is a student at the University of Central Florida, working towards her goals with the support of many mentors.

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