The history of Guardian ad Litem is based on the Seattle, Wash. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program.  David Soukup, was a juvenile court judge in Seattle.  Children and their families who walked into his courtroom were complex and Soukup wanted to make sure he was getting the best possible information in order to make sound decisions for the people under his watch. So, with special funding he began the CASA program, trained volunteers that would represent the children in his courtroom.  Florida GAL sprang from the 1974 Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act that provided states with federal dollars to begin programs aimed at preventing and treating child maltreatment. GAL began as a pilot program in 1980 in a handful of counties and began to provide GAL representation for children involved in dependency cases — non-criminal proceedings, although parents are “charged” with abusing, neglecting or abandoning their children. By 1990, GAL was established in all 67 Florida counties and providing children with this unique form of advocacy.  Guardian ad Litem (GAL) began in Sarasota County in 1980. By 1982 GAL branched into Manatee County and moved into DeSoto County in 1986.

Funding and support  The Justice Administration Commission provides the main source of funding for GAL with additional support provided by all three counties. Additionally, GAL is supported by a non-profit organization, The Children’s Guardian ad Litem Fund, which provides funds to meet the special needs of GAL children and continuing education and recognition for GAL volunteers.