Florida Guardian Ad Litem Office

We invite you to help us recognize Outstanding Pro Bono Defending Best Interests Attorneys from 12:30 to 1 PM on Wednesday, June 19th during the 2024 Annual Florida Bar Convention at Signa by Hilton Bonnet Creek, 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL 32821. Every day pro bono attorneys throughout the state use their skills and time to assist the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office in representing children in appeals. They write answer briefs to tell the children’s story and represent their legal interest during the appeals process. These briefs help move the children one step closer to finding a permanent and safe home. The Office and the children the Office represents thank all of our Defending Best Interests attorneys for their service and want to take the opportunity to recognize those who go above and beyond to defend the children’s best interests. The ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and Pro Bono Committee of The Florida Bar’s Appellate Practice Section annual free CLE series, being held from 10 AM to 2:30 PM on Wednesday, June 19 at the Signa by Hilton Bonnet Creek, 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Ln, Orlando, FL 32821. During this year’s series, The Power of Pro Bono: Demystifying Dependency Pro Bono Appeals, dependency and appellate experts will share their knowledge, experience, and skills regarding dependency, pro bono service, and working in the appellate courts. Topics and speakers include: Demystifying Dependency Presented by Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Director of Legal Services Alicia Guerra, Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Regional Council Paul Krasick and Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Regional Council Brittany Rutan. Strategize Your Appeal: Factors for Formulating Winning Tactics Presented by Jared Krukar from Tampa. Things I Wish I Knew About Pro Bono with Panelists Jamie Billotte Moses from Orlando, Kristie Hatcher-Bolin from Tampa and Thomasina F. Moore from Tallahassee. ACIS: Appellate Case Information at Your Fingertips Presented by 2DCA Clerk of Court Mary Beth Kuenzel from Tampa. Ins and Outs of DBI Presented by Director of Appeals and Pro Bono Operations Sara Goldfarb and Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Assistant Director of Appeals Laura Lee. Each course is pending individual CLE certification. You can attend the whole series or portion of it. Lunch is included. To register, please visit The Power of Pro Bono: Demystifying Dependency Pro Bono Appeals. We hope to see you at both this informative and exciting CLE Series and the recognition reception. For more information, or to RSVP for the recognition reception, please contact Sara Goldfarb, Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Director of Appeals and Pro Bono Operations, at Sara.Goldfarb@gal.fl.gov

Attention Attorneys: Ever thought about starting your pro bono journey? Don’t miss this live, informative, and engaging CLE Series. Join the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and the Pro Bono Committee of The Florida Bar’s Appellate Practice Section (APS) for the Free CLE series The Power of Pro Bono: Demystifying Dependency Pro Bono Appeals at the 2024 Annual Florida Bar Convention on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 10 AM to 2:30 PM, including a recognition ceremony for Defending Best Interests Pro Bono Attorneys at 12:30 PM. In this training, learn from experts about the dependency process and Defending Best Interests, the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office’s pro bono appeals initiative. Dependency experts provide a glimpse into dependency law. Appellate all-stars will share tips about pro bono appeals and appellate practice, including working with the emerging technology. Attorneys will also share their own pro bono journeys, providing guidance and tips for taking on pro bono cases. Topics and speakers include: Demystifying Dependency Presented by Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Director of Legal Services Alicia Guerra, Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Regional Counsel Paul Krasick and Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Regional Counsel Brittany Rutan. Strategize Your Appeal: Factors for Formulating Winning Tactics Presented by Jared Krukar from Tampa. Things I Wish I Knew About Pro Bono with Panelists Jamie Billotte Moses from Orlando, Kristie Hatcher-Bolin from Tampa, and Thomasina F. Moore from Tallahassee. ACIIS: Appellate Case Information at Your Fingertips Presented by 2DCA Clerk of Court Mary Beth Kuenzel from Tampa. Ins and Outs of DBI Presented by Director of Appeals and Pro Bono Operations Sara Goldfarb and Assistant Director of Appeals Laura Lee. After lunch, the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and APS will honor Defending Best Interests pro bono attorneys. Sixth District Court of Appeal Judge Carrie Wozniak will present awards to some of our Outstanding DBI Attorneys, all of whom dedicate their time and expertise to help improve the lives of Florida’s most vulnerable children. You can attend the complete session or a single course, as each course is pending individual approval for CLE accreditation with board certification in Appellate Practice and Juvenile Law by The Florida Bar. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited. To learn more or register, please visit https://lnkd.in/eP2kXgGQ

The Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office CHAMPIONS are messengers in child welfare. They contribute and inform on policy, while acting as ambassadors and leaders in child advocacy efforts within their local and state child welfare communities. The CHAMPIONS share their lived experience in the Florida foster care system to better focus on child advocacy practices, offer suggestions, and help shape the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office priorities, training opportunities, practices, and effectiveness. As previous foster children, CHAMPIONS speak from their hearts about their lived experiences in the Florida foster care system. Last Sunday evening, CHAMPION Derrick Perez attended a church event at Community of Hope Church in West Palm Beach, featuring the “NOMORE Orphans Experience.” Derrick shared his faith and heartfelt story of his time in foster care and his interactions and experiences with the Guardian ad Litem Office and how he used those experiences for good working as a child welfare professional with the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office. He showed attendees the difference community members can make in the life of an abused, abandoned, and neglected child. Learn how you can become a volunteer or mentor with the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and help represent a child in need in your community by visiting www.guardianadlitem.org

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office represents abused, abandoned and neglected children in the court and in the community. Many times, children who come into care struggle in school. The Guardian ad Litem multi-disciplinary team works alongside the school system to help foster educational success for the children represented. When needed the Guardian ad Litem volunteer will serve as the child's educational surrogate. Recently, a 10-year-old girl came into the child welfare system who had never been to school. Her Guardian ad Litem team jumped into action. Her Guardian ad Litem Volunteer was there to help her navigate this new world. The team worked together to make sure the child received all the services she needed to help her adjust and catch up. Now, she is working at her appropriate grade level and is flourishing. Learn more about the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and how you can get involved and make a difference in your local community at www.guardianadlitem.org.

Congratulations to Guardian ad Litem Volunteer and mentor Harlan Newton who was recently recognized by the Department of Juvenile Justice for his extraordinary work as mentor. Harlan, who has been a volunteer with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office since 2013, always goes above and beyond with the children he works with. This is especially true with children who may have involvement with the juvenile justice system, as one youth he is mentoring does. Harlan signed on to help represent this youth as part of the Office’s multidisciplinary team. He cultivated a relationship with the youth and, as part of Hope Florida - A Pathway to Promise that matches youth in the child welfare system with mentors, committed to being his mentor. Besides learning all about the juvenile justice system so that he could assist the youth as he navigated the process, Harlan continues to be there for the youth, visiting and letting him know he is not alone. He teaches him the importance of respect and accountability and helps him see that there are better paths to choose. For all of his work, he was recognized by Department of Juvenile Justice during their annual volunteer appreciation event in Tallahassee. The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office recognizes the difference Harlan continues to make for the most Florida’s most vulnerable children and we thank him. To learn more about the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office and Hope Florida – A Pathways to Promise, visit www.guardianadlitem.org

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office was honored to join the Department of Juvenile Justice last week at their annual volunteer appreciation event. Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Executive Director Dennis Moore, Volunteer Florida Chief Executive Officer Josefina Tamayo and Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall praised the impact volunteers, especially mentors, make throughout the state. Two Guardian ad Litem Volunteers were recognized for going above and beyond, specifically assisting youth involved with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice system. Harlan Newton from Hernando County and Margaret “Margie” Gubert from Levy County are Guardian ad Litem Volunteers who have become their youths’ mentors as part of Hope Florida – A Pathway to Promise. Both Harlan and Margie committed to remain with their youths even after they become adults and leave the dependency system. They have not shied away from being there for the youths, even when they face challenges. Harlan and his youth have created such a bond that the youth refers to him as Grandpa. Margie has been instrumental in assisting her youth in graduating from high school, knowing that an education will provide him opportunities in the future. The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office thanks Harlan and Margie for their dedication and unwavering support for their youth. We also would like to acknowledge the more than 10,000 volunteers with the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office who show up daily for Florida's abused, abandoned, and neglected children, including the more that 435 who have committed to remaining with youth as mentors as part of Hope Florida - A Pathway to Promise. These volunteers work closely with our more than 800 employees representing children in Florida's dependency system. Our volunteers provide an invaluable service to the State of Florida. Every day they volunteer their time to make an impact on the life of youth in the child welfare system. You can make an impact too. Learn more at www.guardianadlitem.org

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office thanks the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) for the opportunity to speak to FAWL members at its spring conference Building Bridges. Mentors build bridges to brighter futures for youth in the child welfare system. Through FAWL In Love with GAL, created in partnership between the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office and FAWL, pro bono attorneys mentor older youth represented by the Office. These mentors help youth throughout the state as they cross the bridge into independence. To learn more about how to make a difference in a foster child’s life in your community, fill out the volunteer inquiry form here - https://lnkd.in/gdFTdJ5F To learn more about the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office, visit www.guardianadlitem.org #mentors #FloridaAssociationforWomenLawyers #makingadifference

Mentor Needed – Jacksonville, FL Hope Florida - A Pathway to Promise expands the Hope Florida initiative with Mentors in conjunction with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office, which assists Florida foster youth transitioning from foster care to independence. Many of these youth have nobody to ask a question to or someone who can provide guidance. This initiative provides youth with a mentor who will serve as a committed, caring adult as they enter adulthood. The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office has volunteer and mentor opportunities throughout Florida. To learn more about how to make a difference in a foster child’s life in your community, fill out the volunteer inquiry form here - https://lnkd.in/gdFTdJ5F To learn more about the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office, visit www.guardianadlitem.org

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office recognizes the importance of sibling relationships for our children. Sibling relationships are often the longest lasting relationship, and it is one that we want to help our children maintain when they come into the system of care. Unfortunately, sometimes siblings are not able to be placed together when they are removed. In one instance, Lori Roberts and Penny Taylor, Guardian ad Litem Volunteers, have ensured that the three children they represent maintain their relationships despite their separate placements. Since October of 2023, Lori and Penny facilitate siblings visits every week for these children, helping them stay connected and make memories with each other. One of their favorite places to go is the local park, where they can run around and just be kids. If you are interested in learning more about the volunteer opportunities, we have available, please fill out the volunteer inquiry form, and someone from our local Office will contact you: https://lnkd.in/gdFTdJ5F. To learn more about the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office, visit www.guardianadlitem.org. #nationalsiblingday

We have expanded the volunteer opportunities available at the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office in your community. If you are interested in learning more about the volunteer opportunities we have available, please fill out the volunteer inquiry form, and someone from our local Office will contact you: https://lnkd.in/gdFTdJ5F. To learn more about the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office, visit www.guardianadlitem.org.