Blog Archive

The hub of information for the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program, our blog contains posts with announcements, news and events, articles, periodicals and additions or updates to our website.

This page contains published posts from the May 2015 archive sorted chronologically with the newest at the top.

In Print: WFSU News on Legislation and Budget

by David July
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Blog, In Print

Florida Guardian ad Litem Program Executive Director Alan Abramowitz recently shared a story presented by WFSU News. The article is presented below in case you missed it.

Advocates Optimistic Scott Will Sign Bill Aimed At Helping Florida's Disabled Foster Kids
by Sascha Cordner

Thursday, May 28, 2015
WFSU News

More bills are now awaiting Governor Rick Scott's approval, including a measure aimed at helping kids aging out of foster care with developmental disabilities.

The Regis Little Act

Florida Guardian ad Litem Program Executive Director Alan Abramowitz says he's sure the governor is on board with signing the "The Regis Little Act to Protect Children with Special Needs."

"That is the bill that says children as they're about to turn eighteen in foster care that do not have the capacity to be on their own. There's now going to be a process in statute to ensure the right things are done so they can get a guardian or a guardian advocate prior to turning eighteen," said Abramowitz during a recent Florida children and youth cabinet meeting.

The bill is named after Regis Little, a young man with mental illness and developmental disabilities who was stabbed to death in Orlando, just after he became an adult in 2009. At eighteen, he left foster care and refused state assistance. Abramowitz says had this bill been law at the time, it would have saved his life. The governor has until June 10, 2015 to take action on the bill.

Hopes for Special Session

With the special session just around the corner, Abramowitz says he's hopeful his priorities will get into the budget.

"We're real hopeful," said Abramowitz. "We have over 10,000 volunteers. Over eighty-two percent of the children under court supervision have the Guardian ad Litem Program and this year it was a $4.5 million ask, and the Governor supports it wholeheartedly. The House has supported the money also."

Lawmakers never passed a state budget during this year's legislative session over an impasse between the House and Senate on healthcare funding. They'll be back in Tallahassee Monday to start the twenty-day special session.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

New Continuing Education Library Item, New Link and a Statewide Press Release

by David July
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Blog

Continuing Education Library

One new library item has been added to our Continuing Education resource center.

  • Effects of Separation On Young Children: Implications for Family Court Decision Making
    A short paper by Peter Ernest Haiman, PhD on the effects of separation on young children: developing a secure bond, the pain of separation and how family courts need to be more responsive.
    filed under Families and Article

Links

One new external link has been added to our Links page.

  • City of Tallahassee Family First Initiative
    Video of the 2015 Mayor's Summit on Children launching the Family First Initiative
    filed under Government

Press Release

On Wednesday, May 20, 2015, the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation hosted a charity golf tournament in Orlando, Florida. Following the event, the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program reported on its success. Their press release is reproduced below.

Statewide GAL Foundation's Inaugural Charity Golf Tournament a Huge Success
by Thomasina Moore

Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Press Release

The inaugural Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation's charity golf tournament was a huge success! This golf tournament was held in conjunction with the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program's annual Disabilities Training Conference and was presented by Akerman LLP.

It was a beautiful day at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando at Grande Lakes with weather that was ideal for the nearly full field. Golfers were greeted with gift bags and enjoyed breakfast while being matched with their caddies. During the round, the golfers were treated to beverages by Orange Blossom Brewing Company, contests from Dixon Golf and each foursome had their photo taken by 4Generations.

After golf, everyone moved to the clubhouse for an awards luncheon where the winning team, Community Based Care of Central Florida, was presented with prizes from SeaWorld. At the luncheon, the Program's Executive Director, Alan Abramowitz, praised the advocacy efforts of both volunteers and pro bono attorneys on behalf of dependent children.

Before and during lunch there was significant interest in the raffle baskets with prizes donated by Total Wine & More, Corona Cigar Company, Jacksonville Jaguars, Harley-Davidson, the crowd favorite Orlando City Soccer Club and more.

In total, the tournament raised over $20,000 in sponsorships, with Akerman being joined by Sunshine Health, the Law Offices of Moore and Moore and the Law Offices of Mary K. Wimsett. In addition, there was a generous $12,500 worth of in-kind donations made.

Special thanks to Kelly Razzano, the volunteers from the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office and the Legal Aid Society of Orange County Bar Association for their invaluable support.

Announcing the CAII Great Southern BBQ Fundraiser and Eight Continuing Education Events

by David July
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Blog, Continuing Education

We regularly host, sponsor and support a variety of events that provide community outreach, increase awareness of our program, help recruit new volunteers, raise funds and furnish training to our volunteer guardians ad litem. The following events were recently added to our calendar.

Two New Events and a New Continuing Education Library Item

by David July
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Blog, Continuing Education

New Events

We regularly host, sponsor and support a variety of events that provide community outreach, increase awareness of our program, help recruit new volunteers, raise funds and furnish training to our volunteer guardians ad litem. The following events were recently added to our calendar.

Continuing Education Library

One new library item has been added to our Continuing Education resource center.

  • Power of High-Quality Early Education, The
    A TED Talks presentation by Kathleen (Kate) Gallagher about the amazing children who were part of the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute's Abecedarian Project and the transformative power of high-quality early care and education.
    filed under Early Childhood, Educational Advocacy, Video and Website

Special Event and Three New Continuing Education Events

by David July
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Blog, Continuing Education

We regularly host, sponsor and support a variety of events that provide community outreach, increase awareness of our program, help recruit new volunteers, raise funds and furnish training to our volunteer guardians ad litem. The following events were recently added to our calendar.