On Monday, December 12, 2011, Alan Abramowitz sent a letter by way of the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation discussing Governor Scott's budget recommendations for fiscal year 2012-2013.
He also recently filmed a segment of The Florida Channel's Point of View interview show wherein he discusses the program, its mission, his role and how people can help.
You can read the text of his letter and watch the video below.
Dear Guardian ad Litem Volunteers, staff and supporters,
The Governor's Budget Recommendations were published on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 and the Guardian ad Litem Program did not have any budget cuts. The Governor's Office has been very supportive and has kept me informed every step of the way. I appreciate this relationship.
We have a Legislative Budget Request of $3.9 million and I will continue to advocate for these funds with the Legislature. It is great news we were not cut. The Governor's Representative that presented the budget in Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee stated that if the dollars are found, the Governor supports it. This means a great deal to the children who our volunteers give a voice.
We need to continue to reach maximum capacity by recruiting more volunteers and retaining the ones that are already dedicated to children. This puts our Program in a better position to advocate for additional dollars. Today we are not at that capacity. We are moving in that direction and need to keep up that pace as we continue to make the business case for a fully funded program that ensures EVERY child has a volunteer child advocate.
The Governor has also recommended the evidence-based prevention program, Healthy Families, have $2 million dollars restored. Investment in prevention is important to our Program because there will be less children in foster care that need Guardian ad Litem's if parents were given the tools to give their children a healthy environment.
I want to make it clear that the Governor and the First Lady are friends of our Program. The Governor's Office offers us technical assistance and support as we continue to make our business case.
Thank you for your support and we will continue to provide more information as we go through the legislative session.
Feel free to call me if you want to discuss or share your comments.
Alan F. Abramowitz
Executive Director
Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office
[email protected]
Main line: 850.922.7213
Personal cell: 850.241.3232
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