Thank you to Tally Connection for recently featuring the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program in their Giveaways For Good program.

Tally Connection is a public service of FSU Credit Union created "to help strengthen ties in our community" as well as "give residents and business owners alike a convenient way to stay connected."

Lucky winner Chelsy Ray received two tickets to the Tallahassee Ballet's rendition of Beauty and the Beast today at FSU's Nancy Smith Fichter Dance Theatre.

For every entry that made for this giveaway, one dollar will be donated by FSU Credit Union in support of our program.

Congratulations to Chelsy and thank you to Tally Connection and the Tallahassee Ballet for highlighting our important mission.

A reminder to volunteers as we approach the end of the 2013-2014 fiscal year, all twelve (12) hours of continuing education credit must be logged with our office by June 30, 2013. Remember, you can report your hours online quickly and easily.

In addition to this year's prescribed reading, additional opportunities have been added for you to learn and earn credit.

• Visit our continuing education articles to access and read all of the available documents.

Please email christine.gornikgal.fl.gov or call (850) 606-1228 with questions regarding continuing education.

We regularly host a variety of events to provide community outreach, raise awareness of our program, recruit new volunteers, fund raise and furnish training to our volunteer guardians ad litem. The following continuing education training events were recently added to our calendar.

• Fostering Futures Curriculum — Supporting Youth Transitions into Adulthood
• Monday, May 20, 2013 and Wednesday, May 22, 2013

• Florida's Civil Injunctions for Protection
• Thursday, May 30, 2013

On Monday, April 29, 2013, Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program Volunteer Trainer Christine Gornik provided information to staff and volunteer guardians ad litem about new statewide guidelines on educational advocacy, designed to provide advanced and action level tools and information.

The information provided is the most current, updated since the implementation of the statewide guidelines and changes in Florida Department of Education policies. Even if you are not considering an educational advocacy certification, the materials are a good resource to familiarize you on the changes.

The new guidelines include a three-step process for current staff and volunteer guardians ad litem, detailed below. The curriculum was first presented during Volunteer Training P in April 2013 and will continue to be provided at future pre-service training sessions.

Step 1 — Review Presentation and Documents
These materials will provide staff and volunteers with a basic understanding on how to work within the school system to advocate for school stability, needed educational services and the participation of the child in school activities, helping lead to a feeling of normalcy and well-being.

• Educational Advocacy Document Library

Step 2 — Become an Educational Surrogate
If you already an educational surrogate, this step is complete for you. Otherwise, the next training to become an educational surrogate is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and Wednesday, May 29, 2013 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS). Participants may earn two (2) hours of continuing education credit.

• Contact Chris Heron at heroncleonschools.net for more information

Step 3 — Complete the Advanced Educational Advocacy Certification Program
The next Educational Advocacy Certification Program training is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 and Tuesday, May 21, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Leon County Court Annex. Participants may earn four (4) hours of continuing education credit for attending both sessions.

• Visit the event flyer for more information

Please contact Christine Gornik at christine.gornikgal.fl.gov or (850) 606-1228 with any questions.