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 added to our calendar.

• Foster Fest
  Special Event
  Saturday, April 29, 2017

• Optima Refresher
  Continuing Education
  Tuesday, May 23, 2017

You can also browse and access events on our calendar grid.

Staff Directory and eForm Updates

Our staff directory on the Contact page and our Report to the Court eForm have been updated to reflect recent personnel changes.

Child Advocate Manager Zachary Lang has departed. We thank Zach for his service and wish him the best with his future endeavors.

In Print: Tallahassee Democrat

Two pieces about our program recently appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat. The articles are reproduced below.

Thank you to the Tallahassee Democrat for sharing our program with their readers.

Letter: Join volunteers to help protect children
by Deborah Moore

Tallahassee Democrat
Wednesday, April 26, 2017

April is National Child Abuse and Prevention month and National Volunteer Week is April 23-29. The Guardian ad Litem Program supports the national effort to raise awareness about child abuse and the impact a volunteer can make in our community. By working with volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children in Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, Jefferson, Franklin and Liberty counties, we have a role in giving every child the best chance of a permanent caring and loving family.

As we observe these two national events, we hope readers will join the Guardian ad Litem Program as volunteers to protect children and strengthen families. For details, visit www.GAL2.org or call 1-850-606-1213.

Deborah Moore, Circuit Director, Guardian ad Litem Program, [email protected]

IMA Golf Driving Range Fundraiser
Special to the Chronicle

Tallahassee Democrat
Thursday, April 27, 2017

Recently locals gathered to hit some golf balls while helping the Guardian ad Litem Program. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Florida State University Student Chapter and Sundberg, P.A. held its second annual Golf Driving Range Fundraiser on April 2nd in support of the program. Participants contributed gift cards. The Guardian ad Litem Program is a volunteer based program that advocates for abused and neglected children. IMA collected $450 worth of gift cards, including cards from Chick-Fil-A, Subway and AMC.

"Our volunteers appreciate the opportunity to use a gift card to take their Guardian ad Litem child out for a special treat and spend quality time together," said Guardian ad Litem Circuit Director Deborah Moore.

Partner organization Child Advocates II, Inc. (CAII) is hosting a fundraiser benefiting our program in time for outdoor barbecuing season.

The third annual CAII Great Southern BBQ Fundraiser is a delicious way to join CAII on its mission to provide for the needs of local abused and neglected children. CAII is the charitable, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit volunteer organization founded to support our program.

For this fundraiser, CAII partnered with Johnston's Meat Market to offer their slowly cooked, hickory smoked meats. Originally founded in 1926, Johnston's Meat Market of Monticello, Florida offers shoulder cut smoked meats, country cooking spices, syrups and sauces.

Participating in the fundraiser is easy.

   ❶   Place an order for Boston butt, picnic ham, sausage, ribs or bacon by Friday, May 19, 2017

   ❷   Pickup your order on Friday, May 26, 2017

   ❸   Enjoy tender, farm fresh pork with your family and friends while helping local children

You can place your order online or order by telephone. Visit the event page for complete details and contact information.

Perfect for your spring or summer cookout, the CAII Great Southern BBQ Fundraiser is an easy way to make a difference in the life of a child and let someone else do some of the cooking.

Please browse the menu and place your orders today. Thank you for your support!

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 added to our calendar.

• Fostering Futures
  Continuing Education
  Wednesday, April 26, 2017

• Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Reception
  Special Event
  Thursday, May 18, 2017

• CAII Great Southern BBQ Fundraiser
  Fundraising
  Order by Friday, May 19, 2017
  Pickup on Friday, May 26, 2017

You can also browse and access events on our calendar grid.

Event Update

The sixth day of our Volunteer Training: May 2017 pre-service class has been rescheduled. It will now take place on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, one day earlier than originally scheduled. The event page, calendar and print flyer have been updated accordingly.

The air around Cascades Park in Tallahassee was a little sweeter last weekend as wonderful people donned chef hats to bake goods in support of local children.

On Saturday, March 25, 2017, Child Advocates II, Inc. (CAII) hosted the fourth annual CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids fundraiser at the Florida Department of Transportation auditorium.

With proceeds benefiting the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program, CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids is a friendly competition for amateur and professional bakers and an opportunity for the public to raise money for our program by sampling the goods.

view CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids 2017 photographs on Facebook

CAII volunteers first arrived in the morning to receive and set up the contestant entries. Two competition judges then went to work sampling each of the cupcakes and cookies. Finally, guests were able to visit for two hours, walk around to see all of the entries and use tasting cards to purchase items.

This year's event raised over $2,600 for our program!

CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids would not have been possible without the support of the community and the guests who came to sample the treats. Special thanks to all of our participants, winning contestants, sponsors, donors, judges, volunteers and guests.

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 added to our calendar.

• Empowered to Connect Conference: Bringing Hope and Healing to Families
  Continuing Education
  Friday, April 7 and
  Saturday, April 8, 2017

• Brown Bag Training: The Long Term Effects of Child Abuse
  Continuing Education
  Friday, April 14, 2017

• Optima Refresher
  Continuing Education
  Tuesday, April 25, 2017

• The Implications of Early Adversity in Advocating for Maltreated Children
  Continuing Education
  Thursday, April 27, 2017

• The Implications of Early Adversity in Advocating for Maltreated Children
  Continuing Education
  Thursday, May 11, 2017

You can also browse and access events on our calendar grid.

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 added to our calendar.

• March Madness Watch Party and 50/50 Raffle
  Fundraising
  Thursday, March 16, 2017

• IMA Golf Driving Range Fundraiser
  Fundraising
  Sunday, April 2, 2017

You can also browse and access events on our calendar grid.

Event Update

This year's CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids event is just two weeks away on Saturday, March 25, 2017 near Cascades Park in downtown Tallahassee. As such, registration for contestants and sponsorships closed on Friday, March 10, 2017. The tasting card pre-sale is also closed.

CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids is a friendly annual competition for amateur and professional bakers, as well as an opportunity for the public to raise money for our program by sampling the various goods.

Tasting cards will be available to purchase at the event. You can also help us promote by sharing gal2.org/cupcake with your friends, colleagues and social media.

In addition, thank you to Barnaby's Family Inn, Chuy's and 4 Rivers Smokehouse for contributing prizes to the event.

Training Update

Our pre-service Training program page has been updated. New training content and quizzes are now featured in the Phase 1: Independent Study section.

A new Sign Language Interpreters and Closed Captioning section was also added with information about pre-service training videos available to the hearing impaired community.

Statewide Annual Report

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office's annual report for this year was recently published. The report — Making the Impossible Possible: Stories of Advocacy — is accessible from the Annual Reports and Long-Range Program Plans page on the statewide office website.

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 added to our calendar.

• Optima Refresher
  Continuing Education
  Tuesday, March 28, 2017

• Moving the Margins with LGBTQ Youth In Out-of-Home Care
  Continuing Education
  Thursday, March 30, 2017

You can also browse and access events on our calendar grid.

Event Update

Several new sponsors have been confirmed for CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids, taking place on Saturday, March 25, 2017 in downtown Tallahassee.

Thank you to Keith Baxter, Joey Gans, Tallahassee State Bank and Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church for their contributions. The Event Sponsors section of the event page was updated to reflect their sponsorships.

CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids is a friendly annual competition for amateur and professional bakers, as well as an opportunity for the public to raise money for our program by sampling the various goods.

Registration for contestants is open through Friday, March 10, 2017, so you still have time to enter the baking competition. You can also help us promote the event by sharing gal2.org/cupcake with your friends, colleagues and social media.

Continuing Education

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

• Students in the Juvenile Justice System
  A packet of four articles discussing the topic of students who are in the juvenile justice system.
  filed under Educational Advocacy, Older Youth and Article

Five new sponsors have been confirmed for CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids, taking place on Saturday, March 25, 2017 in downtown Tallahassee.

Thank you to Trak Engineering, Inc., Computer Tutors USA, Inc., Law, Redd, Crona and Munroe, P.A., Clothesline and The MacLeod Family for their contributions. The Event Sponsors section of the event page was updated to reflect these sponsorships.

CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids is a friendly annual competition for amateur and professional bakers, as well as an opportunity for the public to raise money for our program by sampling the various goods.

Registration for contestants is open through Friday, March 10, 2017, so you still have time to enter the baking competition. You can also help us promote the event by sharing gal2.org/cupcake with your friends, colleagues and social media.

Event Update

Another new sponsor has been confirmed for CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids, taking place on Saturday, March 25, 2017 in downtown Tallahassee.

Thank you to Prime Meridian Bank for their contribution. The Event Sponsors section of the event page was updated to reflect their sponsorship.

CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids is a friendly annual competition for amateur and professional bakers, as well as an opportunity for the public to raise money for our program by sampling the various goods.

Registration for contestants is open through Friday, March 10, 2017, so you still have time to enter the baking competition. You can also help us promote the event by sharing gal2.org/cupcake with your friends, colleagues and social media.

Continuing Education

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

• Trauma In Early Childhood
  A newspaper article, a paper by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and a map of Florida's Early Childhood Court.
  filed under Early Childhood, Victimization of Children and Article

The beginning of a new year is frequently a time of reflection and change. As such, this article is a wintertime compilation of recent website updates covering seven topics.

1. eForm Replacements
2. Page Updates
3. Staff Directory and eForm Update
4. Training Event Update
5. Fundraising Event Update
6. GAL Community Update
7. Join Us On Instagram

eForm Replacements

We have retired three of our eForms in favor of replacements within Optima, our web-based case management system.

The Child Visitation Report eForm (CVR), Continuing Education eForm (CEF) and Volunteer Application eForm (VAP) are discontinued and no longer available for use. Shortlinks previously in place for the CVR and CEF eForms now redirect to Optima for backward compatibility. The VAP shortlink now redirects to the Optima-based online volunteer application.

• Child Visitation Report
  gal2.org/cvr

• Continuing Education Form
  gal2.org/cef

• Volunteer Application Form
  gal2.org/vap

The discontinued eForms were extremely valuable to our program. While they were in service, the Child Visitation Report eForm processed 1,729 submissions, the Continuing Education eForm processed 699 submissions and the Volunteer Application eForm processed ninety-one submissions.

Page Updates

As a result of the aforementioned eForm discontinuations, the following updates were made to the Form and Document Library on the Current Volunteers page.

• Removed links from the "eForm" section

• Removed links and downloads from the "Forms and Documents" section

In addition, a new resource was also added to the "Forms and Documents" section of the Form and Document Library. "Dependency Acronyms" is a three-page list featuring common abbreviations and their meanings. It is available in the "Essentials" sub-section for download in PDF and Word format.

Finally, several further updates were made to other pages.

• Continuing Education

• Replaced links in "Annual Requirements" and "Complete Your Hours Now" sections

• Updated "Report Your Hours" sidebar button link

• Updated dates in "Annual Requirements" section for 2017

• Prospective Volunteers

• Replaced link in "Apply to Volunteer" section

Staff Directory and eForm Update

Our staff directory on the Contact page and our Report to the Court eForm have been updated to reflect a recent personnel change.

Please join us in welcoming Child Advocate Manager Carmen Edge to our team!

Training Event Update

One of our upcoming training classes for new volunteers has been rescheduled.

Volunteer Training: April 2017 takes place over six evenings. The second session in the series was moved up one day to Wednesday, April 5, 2017. The event page, event calendar and print flyer have been updated accordingly.

Fundraising Event Update

Seven sponsors have been confirmed for CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids, which is taking place this year on Saturday, March 25, 2017 in downtown Tallahassee.

CAII Cupcakes and Cookies for Kids is a friendly annual competition for amateur and professional bakers, as well as an opportunity for the public to raise money for our program by sampling the various goods.

The Event Sponsors section of the event page is updated to reflect the new sponsorships. Thank you to the Lamont Family, Capital City Bank, Florida Department of Transportation, Alsco, Inc., Hopkins' Eatery, Newk's Eatery and WTXL Sunrise on ABC 27 for their various contributions.

Registration for contestants is open through Friday, March 10, 2017, so you still have time to enter the baking competition. You can also help us promote the event by sharing gal2.org/cupcake with your friends, colleagues and social media.

GAL Community Update

Modifications have been made to the GAL Community, a private and moderated discussion forum for volunteers and staff.

Several of the main topic boards have been renamed or had their descriptions updated. Numerous other updates were also applied behind-the-scenes. This restructuring was done in response to feedback and enhancement requests from our volunteers.

Join Us On Instagram

As part of an upcoming social media outreach campaign, the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program is now on mobile photo-sharing site Instagram.

We have not yet made our first post on the social media site, but you can follow us at instagram.com/flguardian2 to discover when we do.

Additional related updates include adding an entry in the Social Media section of the Community page; adding a social icon to the website sidebar; and updating the Connect with Us and Website Shortlinks sections of the Links page.