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January 13, 2000
Dittrich enjoyed working for childrenRetiring after 15 years as guardian ad litem for Brown CountyBy SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- When Pat Dittrich worked as a court administrator for Watonwan County more than 15 years or so ago, she could tell the courts needed more Guardians ad Litem for children who were going through the court systems. A Guardian ad Litem is responsible for representing and advocating for the best interest of the children in the court system. A child may need representation in cases of divorce, abuse/neglect, truancy or delinquency, or in criminal cases. When Brown County started a Guardian ad Litem program in 1985, Dittrich was one of the first to jump at the opportunity to work for the children. This week as Dittrich retires as one of Brown County's independently contracted Guardians ad Litem, and she will take years of experience and memories with her. "It's interesting work. I just love the children. For the most part, I've really enjoyed working with the children," said Dittrich, "It's heart wrenching to see some of the children in certain situations." Dittrich said the Guardian ad Litem program is definitely a needed program in the county and having it more uniform from county to county would be a good thing to do. A Guardian ad Litem must have a dedication to the children, Dittrich said. She said it was also of great importance to her to know what resources were available to her clients so she could do her best to help them get what they needed. "The Guardian ad Litem is the eyes and the ears of the judge," said Dittrich. When Dittrich accepted a case, she would then be given access to information on the child. It was her job then to go out and gather as much information as she could about the child's situation from family members, teachers, or any other reliable source who knows something about the child. After she had Dittrich would make her recommendation about the child to the judge. Dittrich said her job was not a usual office job. In the early years, she worked mostly from her home, and later on office space was available. She said some her clients were given placements as far as Bemidji and Duluth and it was part of her responsibility to visit the child wherever the child was located. Dittrich's retirement plans include keeping active with her family and the family businesses, she said. Gardening, watching sporting events and traveling are pastimes Dittrich makes time to enjoy. This summer she has plans to travel to Belgium and Holland to see her son Adam play on an international baseball team.
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