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Guardian ad Litem board requests $16.8 million to raise pay, shore up volunteer program
Summary
The state Guardian ad Litem program told senators it needs higher compensation to retain staff and to expand volunteer supervision; the board requested $16,365,000 for compensation and insurance increases plus $476,000 for volunteer program capacity.
Tammy Baker Olsen, State Program Administrator for the Minnesota Guardian ad Litem Board, told the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on Jan. 22 that the program needs increased compensation to retain staff who advocate for children in child‑protection and family court proceedings.
"Guardians of Litem are an independent voice representing the best interest of children," Baker Olsen said in testimony describing the program’s duties, which include interviewing children and caregivers, reviewing case records, and submitting written and oral recommendations to the court.
She told senators the program advocated for more than 12,000 children in the last year and appeared in over 30,000 court proceedings. The program currently manages statewide supervision and regionalized ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act) advocacy and has centralized some district management to create efficiencies. Baker Olsen said low wages are the leading cause of staff departures and that the program commissioned a compensation study showing starting Guardian ad Litem pay is out of alignment with comparable court roles.
Baker Olsen said the board’s FY2026–27 request asks for $16,365,000 to address compensation and employer health insurance premium increases and $476,000 to strengthen the volunteer Guardian ad Litem program (including two supervisors to support volunteers). She told the committee starting wage for appointed Guardians is currently about $23.12 per hour (roughly $48,000 annually) and that wage equalization would improve retention and reduce recruiting and training costs.
Committee members asked whether the request would allow expansion of family‑court FTEs; Baker Olsen replied the main focus is compensation, with limited expansion (two supervisors) specifically for volunteer program growth. Senators emphasized the program’s importance and urged efforts to expand and better supervise volunteers where feasible. The hearing was informational; no appropriation votes were taken.
Ending: The board said it will provide additional detail on proposed wage targets and implementation once negotiations with unions and budget analysts proceed.
