The GAL Project's focus throughout the years has remained constant: to provide the best representation for children and others in the Juvenile Court.

The philosophy of how to provide this representation is constantly being debated. Since 1980 there have been attempts to implement a volunteer or Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program to assist GALs with their functions. There has been an ongoing debate as to whether Guardian ad Litem work is pro bono work or paid legal work. Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court requires that attorney GALs handle the cases. The GALs are paid a maximum of $250 at the end of a case, despite the time and expertise involved in handling the case and a mere $50 per case per year thereafter if the case remains open and is reviewed by the Court.