13th Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Program June 2016 Volume 5 The Guardian Globe I am sure that many of you have heard on the news and read in the newspaper about the difficulties that Eckerd is having finding place- ment for some of our kids in the foster care system. I want to thank each of you for continuing to advocate for our kids and thank you for attending our recent meeting with Eckerd to discuss this important issue. During this meeting, Lorita Shirley, Chief Operating Officer of Eckerd, explained that the number of children coming into the system is problematic and that there are not enough high-end placements that can meet the needs of some of our more challenging children who need a placement. During the month of May, there were 196 children removed from their homes, which is much higher than normal. One way that we, as Guardians ad Litem, can help is to assist Eckerd in identifying particular cases that need assistance. Examples may be those cases where the child or parents need services and the referral has not happened; cases where a staffing is needed to discuss the case; cases where it seems as the child is languishing in the system. We need your help so that we can find kids a permanent home faster! If you have a case that may fit in one of those categories, please let your CAM know so we may pass on the info and get things done. Right now, we have the benefit of Eckerd reaching out to the GAL Program to help in identifying these issues and we should take advantage! If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I know we are all working hard and are concerned about our kids. Let’s continue to advocate and help as many children as we can. Thank you for your continued advocacy and your dedication to our children! INSIDE THIS ISSUE: GAL Spotlights 2 Upcoming Events 3 Featured Legal Lesson 4 Anniversaries 4 Team Tibet 5 Meet our Senior CAMs 6 Voices for Children 7 Find us! 7 A Letter From Our Director 13 Points to Ponder from the 13 th Circuit “I am for the child.” W ELCOME NEW GALS ! Congratulations to our new Volunteers! Helen Rogers Nichole Ryan Hannah Terry Joanne Tremont Shea Lakin Joie Lopes Maria McKenzie-Williams Rada McKinnon Isaias Mejia Roberta Mejia Dana Pate Priscilla Perez Mona Remy Yuliya Babichuk Mariana Beristain-Mayol Amnanda Gore Jordan Howell Chris Knight
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13th Circuit Guardian Ad Litem Program June 2016
Volume 5
The Guardian Globe
I am sure that many of you have heard on the news and read in the
newspaper about the difficulties that Eckerd is having finding place-
ment for some of our kids in the foster care system. I want to thank
each of you for continuing to advocate for our kids and thank you for
attending our recent meeting with Eckerd to discuss this important
issue. During this meeting, Lorita Shirley, Chief Operating Officer of
Eckerd, explained that the number of children coming into the system
is problematic and that there are not enough high-end placements
that can meet the needs of some of our more challenging children who
need a placement. During the month of May, there were 196 children
removed from their homes, which is much higher than normal.
One way that we, as Guardians ad Litem, can help is to assist Eckerd
in identifying particular cases that need assistance. Examples may be
those cases where the child or parents need services and the referral
has not happened; cases where a staffing is needed to discuss the case; cases where it seems as the child is languishing in
the system. We need your help so that we can find kids a permanent home faster! If you have a case that may fit in one of
those categories, please let your CAM know so we may pass on the info and get things done. Right now, we have the benefit
of Eckerd reaching out to the GAL Program to help in identifying these issues and we should take advantage! If you have
any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I know we are all working hard and are concerned about our
kids. Let’s continue to advocate and help as many children as we can. Thank you for your continued advocacy and your
dedication to our children!
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :
GAL Spotlights 2
Upcoming Events 3
Featured Legal Lesson 4
Anniversaries 4
Team Tibet 5
Meet our Senior CAMs 6
Voices for Children 7
Find us! 7
A Letter From Our Director
13 Points to Ponder from the 13th Circuit “I am for the
child.”
WELCOME NEW GALS!
Congratulations to
our new
Volunteers!
Helen Rogers
Nichole Ryan
Hannah Terry
Joanne Tremont
Shea Lakin
Joie Lopes
Maria McKenzie-Williams
Rada McKinnon
Isaias Mejia
Roberta Mejia
Dana Pate
Priscilla Perez
Mona Remy
Yuliya Babichuk
Mariana Beristain-Mayol
Amnanda Gore
Jordan Howell
Chris Knight
The Guardian Globe Page 2
Juanita “Nita” Serrano has been a Guardian ad Litem for approximately a year and half, and has recently been recommended and agreed to become a Master Guardian ad Litem. Juanita is currently working two separate cases and advocating for 4 children. Juanita also always offers to complete one time visits to children in need. Juanita was born in New Jersey and her family moved to Tampa when she was
a child, so she has grown up in Tampa. Juanita is married with three adult children herself, as well as three fur babies. When not busy advocating for children Juanita enjoys tak-ing pictures. She is a family photographer. She and her husband enjoy going to parks just to take photos and Juanita is currently taking more classes about photography. Juanita also volunteers her time as the Vice President and Director of Paralegal Certification on the Board of Direc-tors for the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. On top of all that priceless time advocating and volunteer-ing, Juanita works as a full time civil litigation paralegal with La Cava & Jacobson, P.A. where she works in the area of general casualty insurance defense. Juanita states as a litigation paralegal, her work revolves around deadlines and she works her Guardian ad Litem cases the same way. Juanita is detail oriented and uses her paralegal skills in her Guardian ad Litem cases for research and investigating facts. Juanita advocates strongly for her children by taking the time to ensure she has gathered evidence based facts by collecting every medical, therapeutic, and educational rec-ords needed for the children to ensure they are receiving the
best and safest care while in the system. Juanita suggests that what makes an effective Guardian ad Litem is some-one who is compassionate and not afraid to disagree with others. Her suggestion to other Guardian ad Litem volun-teers is to not be afraid to ask questions. Juanita’s favorite holiday is Christmas, because it is the one holiday where all of her three adult children are home. Christmas time has also been her most favorite moment as a Guardian ad Litem by participating in the Guardian ad Litem Toy Drive and astonishing the chil-dren with surprising Christmas gifts and seeing the spar-kle in their eyes. Juanita is always very generous and tries to bring something small to her children for each holiday. Juanita’s favorite quote matches her lively personality, “Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often!”. For some people volunteering is about giving, but for people like Juanita, it is a way of living. It is only with the assistance of volunteers such as Juanita that the Guardian ad Litem Program accepts the challenge of en-suring a child has a voice and receives what they need while in the dependency system. ~ Maria Cuevas, Child Advocate Manager
GUARDIAN SPOTLIGHTS
Anita Spofford has been a GAL for approximately 5 years. Anita heard about the GAL Program from a close friend that is a GAL. Anita’s friend was so passionate about it that it sparked Anita’s inter-est. Anita decided to become
a GAL when her children were grown and leaving the nest. This allowed Anita to have the time to fully devote to the GAL Program.
During Anita’s 5 years with the GAL Program, she has advocated for 20 children and is currently the GAL for 11 children spread over 4 cases. Anita generally likes to ac-cept cases that need a lot of work quickly, such as the up front TPR cases because she has the time and flexibility to devote to trials. She also loves to see children be adopted and get a fresh start, when appropriate.
When asked about her favorite part of being a GAL volun-teer, Anita described a recent occurrence that was very touching. Anita received an invitation to the baptism of a little girl that was adopted last year! Anita was very touched that she made such an impact on this family’s life that they wanted to include her on this family’s celebra-tion. Anita further stated that she enjoys receiving Christmas cards and seeing how the kids that she once advocated for are growing in a safe environment. Seeing these pictures makes being a GAL worth-while!
~ Alicia Green, Child Advocate Manager
Page 3
UPCOMING TRAININGS & EVENTS IN SERVICE TRAININGS!!
Tuesday, 7/12, 6-8pm
Early Childhood Court Project
A Family Place,
9391 N Florida Ave, Tampa
GAL Office:
Thursday, 7/14, 6-9pm
JR Bootcamp
Presented by Liza Ricci, Supervising
Attorney
Tuesday, 7/19, 6-8pm
Psychotropic Medication
Presented by Valentina Villalobos, Attorney
Have a suggestion for a training? Let us know!!
Brown Bag Lunch! Come have lunch with some fellow GAL Volunteers to talk
about your cases and mingle. Bring your lunch!
It will be on Friday, 7/15 from 12-1pm at the GAL Office.