Become A Guardian!

Hi! My name is Tami Dodd, I am the Volunteer Training Coordinator for the Guardian ad Litem program in Hillsborough County. We need your help. The children of Hillsborough County need your help. Can you imagine being taken from your home, separated from your family and placed in a strangers care? Never knowing when you will see a familiar face again and wondering what you did wrong? If you answered Yes, then you understand the essential need for GAL volunteers. Wouldn't you want someone to talk to, someone that listens to you, someone that will SPEAK on your behalf? These children feel lost and alone and need someone who will be there just for them. I can promise you that becoming a GAL volunteer will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

If you think that you are not qualified, or simply do not have enough time - please reconsider. The Guardian ad Litem Program provides training, support and someone who will be ready to help you at a moments notice. Our GAL volunteers are just regular people doing extraordinary things!

For additional information on being a Guardian, go to our frequently asked questions page, call our office at 272-5505 or stop by at 655 North Franklin Street, Suite 1300 Tampa, FL 33602.

To read more about the duties and responsibilities of a volunteer, please click here to view in Word format, or here in PDF.

Fill out our On-Line Application to become a Guardian! Click here to begin.

To read our frequently asked questions, click here.

Guardian ad Litem Do’s and Don’ts

Guardians Do the Following:

  • Visit the child on a regular basis (at least every 30 days)
  • Attend Court when can and submit written reports
  • Attend meetings and staffings regarding the child/family
  • Advocate for the child’s Best Interests

Guardians Do Not:

  • Provide direct services
  • Transport children
  • Allow the child to come to your home
  • Disclose information or documents except to the Court or parties
  • Contact the Judge outside the presence of other parties
  • Act as caretaker, counselor, mediator or visitation supervisor

Visiting the GAL Office

We now have two options for you to park! You can still park at the Twiggs Street Garage and get your ticket signed by one of our program attorneys. Twiggs St. Garage is located at the 900 block of Twiggs Street, just before Nebraska Ave. Our office is located approximately 5 blocks east of the garage, on the corner of Twiggs and Franklin. You can also park at the Curtis Hixon garage located at 600 N. Ashley St. The procedure is the same as the Twiggs garage. You will need to make sure you bring your ticket stub to be signed by an attorney or Charlie or Suzanne.

If you do not want to park in a garage, there are metered parking spaces near the vicinity of our building. The meters will only accept quarters and have a 2 hour time limit.

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Training Sessions


Contact Tami Dodd, Volunteer Training Coordinator, to join the next raining session and become a Voice for a child.

Guardian ad Litem Training Sessions are conducted every other month, 2 nights a week, for approximately 5 weeks. Training classes are at Christ the King Church, which is located at 821 S. Dale Mabry Hwy.

Orientation is held in conference rooms B and C. The physical address for the building is 721 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, which is located on the corner of Inman St. and Dale Mabry.

Our training facility is located behind the Youth Center building.

The next training session begins May 1, 2007, with Orientation.

If you have not RSVP'd that is okay. You can still attend our Orientation ad receive information at that time. We always have room for more!
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