Minn. Guardian ad Litem Board seeks $16.4 million to raise pay, expand volunteers and cover operating costs

The Minnesota Legislature's Judiciary, Finance and Civil Law Committee heard from Tammy Baker Olsen, state program administrator for the Guardian ad Litem Board, about the board's statewide work, staffing shortages and a budget request totaling $16,365,000 intended primarily to raise compensation and cover unavoidable health insurance premium increases.

The request comes as the program, which serves children in both child protection and family court proceedings, reported 243 staff statewide, limited volunteers in parts of the state and service to more than 12,000 Minnesota children in 2024. "Each year, thousands of children depend on the expertise and dedication of Minnesota guardians ad litem to provide the court with objective child-focused recommendations," Baker Olsen told the committee.

The budget and why it matters

The board described a current biennial base budget of $45,630,000, of which payroll makes up roughly 84 percent and operating expenses 16 percent. The board asked for $16,365,000 to increase compensation and cover health insurance premium increases, an additional $1,000,000 per year in operating funds for rising transportation and inflation costs, and $476,000 to expand and strengthen the volunteer program. "We do a lot of driving, a lot," Baker Olsen said when explaining the operating request.

Program scope and workloads

Baker Olsen told the committee the Guardian ad Litem program operates in all 87 counties, attended more than 30,000 court proceedings in 2024, and filed court reports in over 16,000 hearings. The board said guardians advocated for more…