Friends of Wake County Guardian ad Litem Program

1. Friends of Wake County Guardian ad Litem Program www.friendsofWakeGAL.org

2. Mission To enhance the lives of at-risk children and their caregivers through programs which promote their physical, educational, and emotional well-being, and to provide support for the Wake County GAL program. 

3. Children we serve • More than 600 children in Wake County who have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care. • More than 1,300 children who are a part of the WCHS Family Support program and on the tipping point of coming into foster care.

4. 3 reasons children come into foster care • Dependent: parents are not functioning at the level that they need to raise a healthy child or are in jail. (6.8%)* • Neglect: more often than not, parents have substance abuse issues. (59.2%)* • Abuse: frequently there are mental health issues with the family. (28.2%)* Sexual abuse (9.6%) Physical Abuse (18.6%) * casaforchildren.org

6. Foster children are impacted Socially Physically May only have the clothing on their backs, limited items may be carried in a garbage bag. Abuse and neglect is common, sometimes causing brain damage. Medical and dental care is often missing or substandard. • Frequently change homes and change schools. • For each change in school, a child may drop a letter grade, failing after 4 moves. • There is no funding for scouting, sports, school field trips and other “extras.”

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8. Psychological Impact • 40% of foster children are diagnosed with ADHD, approximately 50% also have PTSD. • Feel unloved, setting them up for sexual abuse. • Feel embarrassed to let people know they are in foster care. • Feel guilty that they did something to cause them to be separated from their family.

9. Future social impact… if we do nothing • 60% of young men who age out of foster care commit a crime that leads to imprisonment. (liftingtheveil.org) • 75% of young women who age out of foster care are on public assistance by age 24. (Liftingtheveil.org) • 26,000 youth who age out x $300,000 in social costs over lifetime = • $7.8 billion absorbed community costs (jimcaseyyouth.org)

10. Guardians ad Litem are… • Court appointed by a judge to serve as a child’s advocate. • Volunteers. • Trained – 36 hours in classroom and courtroom, plus ongoing workshops. • Investigators who have firsthand understanding of the needs and situations of a child.

11. Guardians ad Litem CAN NOT … • Give things to children. • Transport children. • Serve as surrogate parents. • Supervise visits with child and biological family. • Leave the premises alone with a child. • Do it all for a child in their care.

12. Friends of GAL Efforts • Special Needs Grants: one time assistance including medical and dental, bedding, and clothing as well as support for foster children who have aged out. • Computers for Kids. • Back to School with Pride. • Guardian Angel Holiday Project. • College Scholarships.

13. How YOU can help the Friends Protect and Provide for abused and neglected children. • Volunteer your time and skills to help with our mission. • Request your civic or social group to sponsor one of our projects. • Donate to our 501 (c) 3 non-profit that is all volunteer and encourage your employer to match your donation. • Become a Guardian ad Litem.

14. Friends of Wake County Guardian ad Litem Program info@friendsofWakeGAL.org www.friendsofWakeGAL.org www.twitter.com/friendsofgal https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfWakeCountyGuardianAdLitem http://www.linkedin.com/company/friends-of-the-wake-county-guardian-ad-litem Make checks payable to: Friends of Wake County GAL Program Mail to: P.O. Box 4941 Cary, NC 27519 (919) 886-KIDS