Bamberg, Barnwell residents can train to advocate for abused children

A trained guardian ad litem can be the steady adult in a child abuse or neglect case, carrying that child’s best interests into Family Court, reviewing records and helping a judge reach a safer decision. In Bamberg and Barnwell counties, the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program is again recruiting residents who are willing to take on that work for children who need a voice.

The next free online training begins Monday, June 22, 2026, and the program says it will offer both morning and evening sessions. That virtual format matters in Bamberg County and Barnwell County, where many potential volunteers work irregular hours or live far from larger population centers. Applications are due June 9, 2026, and people who want more information can contact Richard Fowler.

The program says applicants must be at least 21 years old, have a clean background and have no prior Department of Social Services history. The application process also includes screening that allows DSS to check criminal history and review whether an applicant has ever been reported for child abuse or neglect or has a founded case against them. The required training takes about 30 hours to complete, and volunteers typically spend an average of 4 to 6 hours a month on a case once they are serving.

South Carolina DSS says the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program recruits, trains and supervises volunteers who advocate for children in abuse and neglect cases in Family Court. The department says volunteer non-attorney guardians ad litem are mandated reporters, which gives the role legal weight as well as civic value. DSS also says its child-welfare training is built around the GPS practice model, which centers on safety, stability, permanency and well-being.

For Bamberg and Barnwell, the local connection runs through the Midlands Regional Permanency Office in Orangeburg, which serves both counties. That office sits inside a broader state system that also relies on citizen review panels, Foster Care Review Board members and routine trainings for guardian ad litem staff and circuit judges. In practice, the June 22 class is not just a training date on a calendar. It is one more way for local residents to help ensure that abused and neglected children are heard when Family Court makes decisions that shape their futures.