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Brown Bag Lunches:
Friday January 11
12:00 PM
Dade City Office BBL
Keys to Independence
Attorney, Racquell Perry
Friday, January 18
Friday, February 15
11:30 AM
Pinellas BBL
Icot Office, Clearwater
Friday, January 18
12:00 PM
New Port Richey BBL
Road to Independence
West Pasco Govt. Center
8731 Citizens Drive
NPR 34654
Friday, February 15
12:00 PM
New Port Richey BBL
NPR office
8324 Corporate Way
Pinellas In Services
Monday January 28
6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Therapeutic Trauma Parenting
by Dr. Anna Weaver
Icot Office,
Clearwater
Monday February 11
6:00-8:00 PM
How to Support Your Recommendations-Reports & Court Hearings
Icot Office, Clearwater
Please register on the on-line events calendar under the Pinellas tab for the training
HERE
Pasco In Services:
Thursday January 17
6:00-8:00 PM
Stories from Experienced GALS
West Pasco Government Center
8731 Citizens Dr
NPR Fl 34654
County Commissioner Boardroom
West Pasco Government Center
Thursday February 28
Post TPR/Adoptions
6:00-8:00 PM
Jason Zandecki, Esq
West Pasco Government Center
County Commissioners Board Room
Please register on the on-line events calendar under the Pasco Tab for the trainings HERE
Thanks to your continued advocacy more than 3000 individual children's needs request were met so far this year! Due to our end of the year accounting and our holiday gift giving program, we will be closing our Normalcy and Educational Request process through January 4th. Basic needs will remain open as always. If you do have a normalcy or education request that can't wait until January, you can still reach out to us with questions or a very specific need.
Are you interested in receiving news and resources directly from the Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay?
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October Stars
Erika Johnson
Linda Zolper
Carol Allen
Lisa Zawistowski
Patrcia Smith-Johnson
Bob & Sandy Amon
Mike Walsh
Kim Drake
Rebecca Butler
Ellen Moore
Madison Lovell
Marge Bennet
Dulcee Loehn
Carolyn McNulty
Donna Gaffney
Rose McVicker
June O'Bryon
Gaby Gramling
Antoni Gerodimos
Marci Gleicher
Davina Eads
Chuck Blumenkamp
Cory Wilkinson
Teresa Hair
Trish Dekok
Rita Burdick
Jeannie Foxworth
Joanne Lindauer
December Stars
Dave Elmer
Ashley Valenzuela
Rhonda Blum
Karen Surplus
Thomas Serian
Mike Sadowsky
Rita Yezzi
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Welcome New Staff
Welcome our new assistant CAM, Frances Serrano-Lux. Frances will be doing courtesy visits and working out of the ICOT office. She has a MSW and experience in human services. She is also bilingual in English and Spanish. Welcome to our program Frances!
Welcome new CAM, Montoya Walker. She has a BS in ESE K-12 with ESOL Endorsement and M.S. in Educational Leadership. She has worked in the Pinellas school system teaching since 2008. She has a lot of experience working with kids and their families. Welcome to the team, Montoya!
Welcome to our newest attorney addition to the 6th Circuit, Dave Gould in the Dade City GAL office. Dave comes to us from the 13th Circuit GAL Program (Hillsborough County). He is a very experienced Senior Best Interest Attorney who has been with the GAL Program approximately 14 years and is certified in Juvenile Law. His legal practice also includes working at the Office of the Attorney General (Children's Legal Services, Tampa) and the Florida Department of Transportation. His extensive knowledge in child protection and courtroom practice is a wonderful addition to our team. He also has a talent for rap, but I'll let him tell you about it! Welcome Aboard Dave!
Welcome New GALS
Latrece Afre
Patricia Alicea
Gerald Allen
Mary-Linda Armacost
Rhonda Blum
Melanie Bradley
Kristine Brown
Sarah Cibula
Mackenzie Comey
Cynthia Conley
Craig Davide
Kristy Davide
Robin Davidov
Madeline Davis
Renita Dean
Barbara Finney
Jeffrey Ford
Laura Gould
Margaret Grigsby
Dianne Grimes
Douglas Harr
Barbara Hoffman
Susan Kahn
Rebecca Kurzner-Tremblay
Jeannine Kwasnik
Tami LaBrant
Shelby Lasley
Jennifer Lee
Bernadette Lewis
Thomas Luhn
Sarah Marsicek
Maria McCurdie
Margaret McLaughlin
Veronica Melendez
Rosemary Mendiola
Lindsay Mochko
Erica Moore
Mary Moosbrugger
Brooke Oster
Debbie Parks
Alissa Phillipoff
Joan Puls
Angela Raytchev
Chris Ryan
Michael Sadowsky
Melissa Samuelson
Nancy Sanders
Catherine Schwartz
Lisa Sjobeck
Karen Surplus
LuVerne Taylor
Victoria Tomlinson
Tatina Tugbaeva
James Wilkinson
Aja Willette
Christina Wyckoff
November classes above
A note from Trainer Laurie Rosati: Welcome to the graduating classes from November. You are a great group of people who I thoroughly enjoyed. I know you will do a great job advocating for your assigned children. Thank you for your invested time and energy in helping.
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Great Peeps To Tweet
Thank you
George Mc Dermott
for his help in getting an ad for GALs to go into the Suncoast Signal (newsletter for the bay area members of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers).
Thank you
Bob Amon for your patience during very lengthy court hearings.
Kudos to
DC White for her ongoing assistance, especially her Surrogate Parent representation. Great Job DC!
Thank you to
Kay Brulo for her outstanding and ongoing contact with the parents on her case.
Great job to
Andrew Maurin, Esq., for a successful outcome on a particularly difficult case. Adoption was achieved in spite of the obstacles.
Thanks to
Jean and Bill Cooley for their ongoing diligence on their cases.
Kudos to
Tina Hohlfeld who never hesitates to assist her CAM.
Thanks to Sam Harris, for his excellent representation on so many cases!
Thanks Elyse, for your help in advance.
Kudos to GAL Tandra Patterson for a successful adoption of the child she was appointed to.
Kudos to the Pasco West Assessment Team (AT) volunteers and to Fran Scerbo for being the lead AT assessor for so many years. Kudos to Shari Silk for doing 2 last minute Assessment visits, at quite a distance away. Thank you Pascal Fruge' for helping so much in Hernando for Assessment visits. Kudos to Kim Anderson for all her help covering the Wesley Chapel/Lutz/Land-O-Lakes area. Many thanks to Hope Bond for so many AT visits in the Zephyrhills area. Kudos to Mary Kolts for returning after her husband's illness to help with visits for the AT. Thanks to Vince Rieger for always helping in any way he can doing AT visits. Also to Jean McNary for offering so much help and doing visits for the AT. Kudos to Tracy Hanson for doing valuable AT visits in the DC/Zephyrhills area. Thank you Peggy Miller for your willingness to always do visits for the AT.
Kudos to
Jeannie
who has two cases and one has 6 kids! Thank you to Hugo Rodriguez and Courtney Condon, for helping a teen celebrate his 18th birthday.
Also, thank you to Jennifer Bravick for advocating for her very challenging teen.
Kudos to Mia Sidlasky who has two cases and is on top of it all! Kudos to Connie Galbarith and Andrew Maurin, for going over and beyond to ensure that an EFC child has someone cheering for her at her graduation.
Kudos to Roz Fenton for doing courtesy visits in Hudson.
Thank you
Shari Silk
for everything you do, and for completing a last minute courtesy visit.
Kudos to
Courtney Condon
for doing a last minute visit in St. Pete for me.
To
Greg Cardinal
- welcome back to Florida and taking on new courtesy cases.
Thank you Greg Lauren for taking on a courtesy case. To Karyn Moses, thank you for always taking on courtesy cases placed in home(s) you visit and always being so accommodating!
Kudos to Dianne Grimes for taking on a courtesy case and communicating so well!
Thank you from Kristi Anson to all Pasco & Dade City CAMS for keeping the ball rolling during my medical leave. My colleagues are amazing!
Kudos to James Rowe for spending time with a child who is dealing with a lot right now.
Kudos to:
Greg Lauren, Roz Fenton, Kermit Thatcher, Polly Eskew, Shari Silk, Jody Hansen-Walker, Venessa Clark, Darlene Brower, Jeanne Morgan, Aleacia Guy
and
Michele Regan,
for helping Pasco County on National Adoption day! Thank you Mark Weinkrantz, for thinking of our staff and the wonderful cookies you bring in.
Thank you to the
amazing staff in Pinellas and Pasco for everything each of you do everyday! Kudos to our
Volunteer Task Force who are so generous with their time and talents and to Karen for always bringing us cookies! Thank you to
Andrew Maurin and
Rebecca Dilley for taking a case out of county with several kids when asked and doing an amazing job!
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Street Beat
Thank you to Pasco's newest Mentors, pictured above!
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GAL sponsors kids craft table at adoption day in Pasco
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Self Care Tips
Holidays are without a doubt a busy time for all of us and with all of the activities sometimes self-care is at the bottom of our to do list. However, there are simple things that can all contribute to helping ourselves in the midst of a busy season. So here are some simple things we can all do during the holidays to practice self-care:
Sip on a cup of hot cocoa or tea while watching your favorite Holiday special.
Call a friend just to say hello and reconnect.
Disconnect from Social Media for a day or the weekend
Sit by a campfire or fireplace with friends or family.
See a movie you have been wanting to see (preferably a comedy or feel good movie).
Listen to music.
Take a walk at a local park or around the neighborhood to look at all of the lights.
Go for a bike ride, do yoga or just sit quietly for 15 minutes.
Light a candle or diffuse essential oils.
Start planning a fun vacation or weekend getaway.
What is your favorite thing to do during the holiday season to pamper yourself? Whatever it is that helps you to rest and rejuvenate your spirit, I hope you can give yourself a holiday gift by scheduling some down time even if it's just for part of the day.
Karen Malo,
Community Outreach Coordinator
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October/November/December
Anniversaries
Twenty Nine
Fran Naumann
Twenty One
Belinda Schultz
Sixteen
Susan Neville
Rita Burdick
Barbara Heck
Fourteen
Mario Rendina
Florence Bell
Thirteen
Terry Stoermer
James Blaney
Denise Lipsey
Twelve
Jane Greene
Hope Bond
George Sherman
Sharon Marshall
Joyce Supple
Eleven Years
Ten Years
Gina Thiemann
Linda Grandinetti
Mark Welsh
Patricia Harris
Amelia "Jo" Nichols
Richard Nichols
Norma Stalions
Mike Bailey
John Tarrant
Nine Years
Deborah Warren
Karen Secor
Kathi Konkle
Mary Kolts
Cynthia Faulhaber
Makitia Dillard
Joe Incorvia
Cynthia Rudd
Beverly Finn
Vaughn Haight
Susan Huff
Jayshree "Jay" Pathak
Kevin Sobat
Eight Years
Caprice Johnson
Margaret Smith
Maria Costa
Seven Years
Margaret Lambis
Paul Lambis
Kimsy Brown
Joanne Bryan
Jennifer Parker
Virginia Nourie
Six Years
William (Bill) Smith
Linda Poulette
Kimberly Melick
Carolyn McNulty
Guadalupe Mayorga
Polly Eskew
Dout Dupuis
Nancy Dupuis
Jill Albury
Dennis Fagan
Joanne Gonzales
Travis McNulty
John Mione
Steve Rosenkranz
Five Years
Polly Leibe
Viktoryia Johnson, Esq.
Nick Griffin
Norman Andina
Debra Brown-Adamo
Paul Cavonis Esq.
Dione Chandler
Judith
Emmons
Ronald Haddad
Tandra Patterson
Brenda Smith-Jones LCSW
Michelle Beard
Craig Mousseau
Four Years
Russell McLeod
Kelly McCan
Jennifer Kilmurray
Robert Hale
Michele Gibson
Lorna Cook
Peggy Chase
Krista Bledsoe
Mitchel Aydlette
Brittany Brochard
Teresa Ceresani
Deborah Hoover
Peggy Jasper
Nicole Johnson
Steven Tonnesen
Tracy Wilhelm
Samuel Dulberg
Danielle Jenkins
Three Years
Sarah Wilkins
Juanita Sparks
Carol
Schmidt
Lydia Santana
Lisa Palladino-Holland
Shannon Mills
Christine Malpartida
Suzanne Lanza
Karen Karinja
Aleacia Guy
Beverly Garofalo
Pascal Fruge
Daphne Days
Yvonne Crandall
Kathryn Carter
Catherine Beardsley
Meaghan Begonis
Elizabeth Gisondi
Allyson Holca
Nancy Keyser
Sally Maier
Clare McCarroll
Arlene Nolke
Nancy Pettygrove
Eda Reyes
David Staruch
Lisa Tellone
Robert Tellone
Britney Whitaker
Susan White
Kimberly Drake
Judy Warrick
Two Years
Cynthia Webb
Charlene Tomas
Caroline Svatek
Judith Ormsby
Dale Lindberg
Clay Kent
Tara Kelly
Kristine Johnson
Kelly Hawk
Samuel Harris
Teresa Hair, Esq.
Michele Frost
Jeannie Foxworth
Mary Field
Jay Dusek
Kermit Dunn
Ruth Dobkin
Karen Crowe
Steve Burns
Claire Brueck
Jennifer Boggess
Nataly Azcurra
Richard Gnatowsky
Susan Gorham
George McDermott
Kathleen Minidis
Caroline Neidert
Suzanne Pileggi, Esq.
Austin Sigl
Charlton Simmons
Dianne Smith
Phyllis Vitale
Audra Ames
Anne Glover
Susan Swenson
One Year
Rebecca Weiss
Patricia Smith-Johnson
Shawlet Rose
Elizabeth Ronzo
Beth Ogborn
Constance McCarty
Katherine Lange
Kimberly Hudgell
Rosslyn Holland
Colleen Adams
Johnny Boria
Rebecca Butler
Aanthony Cademartori
Claudia Clark
Jordan Faza
Deborah Fusek
Kasiara Gopaul
Suzie Griffith
James Kannard
Winn Krafton
Dorothy Lawton
Julie Mahr
Kari Martin
Lauren Mikus
Doris O'Neill-Dibble
Debra Orenic
Karen Peters
Brad Schlosser
David Schmueck
Martin Shapiro
Claudia Smith
Joel Smith
Wesley Thorp
Seth Tilow
Charles Webster
HeatherWilliams
Rebecca Avrin
Jeidy Beltran
Heather Burnett
Amanda DeLeon
Virginia Denike
Patrice Joyce
Mary Love
Julie McHaffie
Joshua Nwajei
June O'Bryon
Susan Rowley
Jesse Wagner
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Circuit Director
I would like to thank everyone who helped make the Holiday Gift Drive such a success. Thank you to the Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay and
all the generous supporters. A special thanks to
all our hardworking volunteers and staff, who played "Santa" and helped make the holidays brighter for the children.
As 2018, comes to an end, I reflect on the partnerships with all of you, who help us advocate for children throughout the year. Thank you for giving so generously of your time and talent. While this last year brought many amazing outcomes, there were also
challenges, which provide
opportunities to learn and grow. With your support, we will continue to be a powerful voice for children in 2019.
A special acknowledgment to Kurt Browning, Pasco County School
Superintendent
, our 6th Circuit Community Advocate of the Year. He has been a strong partner in assisting the program with promotion of the need for volunteers in Pasco.
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| Larnelle Scott presents award to Superintendent Browning |
I would like to congratulate
Nancy and Doug Dupuis, our Sixth Circuit Guardians ad Litem of the Year.
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Left to right is Evelien Still, Nancy and Doug Dupuis and Andrea Watson
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Nancy and Doug have been volunteers since October 2012, having worked 21 cases. They are always working on multiple cases at a time, and work as a close team and share in making decisions. They are kind and loyal volunteers, who faithfully visit their appointed children each month, even when placed out of county. Nancy and Doug are
amazing advocates always in constant communication with the family, making sure the children are receiving the appropriate services. The families know the Dupuis represent the children's best interest and maintain good communication. Nancy and Doug always seek to improve their knowledge base by attending training and Brown Bag lunches.
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Go The Extra Mile!
There is a great new opportunity for volunteers who drive at least 25 miles round trip to visit a child, or other specific purposes, to apply for travel reimbursement! Details of this program, forms and a brochure can be located on the Fl. Guardian ad Litem website.
http://guardianadlitem.org/ To go directly to the program click
HERE.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your Child Advocacy Manager.
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Sixth Circuit Vital Statistics:
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Of those without a GAL
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Case Volunteers
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Transportation Approved Volunteers
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GAL Best Practices
EDUCATION: Volunteers, please remember to obtain e
ducational records and let your CAM know that
you have done so. It is always critical to obtain any
Exceptional Student Education records.
EMAILS: There are frequent emails sent out from the GAL
Program. Please be kind enough to check your email
account frequently for updated information on your
case, in-service announcements, webinars, Brown
Bag Lunches and ongoing correspondence.
PARENTS: A gentle reminder to contact your parents, engage with the
parents and document every attempt, and every
time you have been able to speak and/or visit your parents. Please observe parental visits and document
your observations. This information is critical as the case moves along.
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Extended Foster Care
Extended Foster Care (EFC) extends court jurisdiction and allows young adults to remain in foster care from age 18 until their 21st birthday, or 22nd birthday if they have a documented disability. On their 18th birthday, the young adult must be in the legal custody of the Department of Children and Families, which may include a foster home, a residential facility, a juvenile detention facility, or even on runaway status in certain situations. There is no requirement for how long a child was in care prior to turning 18. To maintain eligibility for EFC, the young adult must participate in a qualifying activity. One qualifying activity is that the young adult is enrolled and attending high school, a GED program, a vocational program, or a college. Another qualifying activity is that the young adult is working at least 80 hours per month. Depending on the type of employment, the Department may look over an aggregate time period of the previous 90 days to determine eligibility. Although attending school and working are the most common qualifying activities, a young adult can still be eligible for EFC if participating in a program or activity designed to promote or
eliminate barriers to employment. The primary activity under this category is being enrolled in a job training program; however, the statute is written broadly and there are arguably other activities that could be a basis for eligibility. The young adult can also be eligible for EFC if they are unable to participate full-time in the above qualifying activities due to a physical, intellectual, emotional, or psychiatric condition that limits participation. The case manager must assist the young adult in obtaining documentation of the condition. This category can be used, for example, if a young adult's mental health condition is interfering with job stability or education. Services to address the condition should be included in the case plan. Changing qualifying activities does not affect EFC eligibility. To maintain eligibility, the young adult must sign releases and/or provide documentation to case management in order to verify the qualifying activity.
A young adult must live in a supervised living environment that is approved by a Camelot case manager (Eckerd subcontractor for Independent Living services), with whom they will meet every month. The case manager should ensure that the young adult is receiving the necessary services and independent living support. An allowance will also be provided. Judicial reviews continue every 6 months, and additional hearings can be set if requested. The Guardian ad Litem Program can remain appointed to the young adult if the young adult consents.
The court cannot terminate jurisdiction over a young adult unless the court finds that the young adult is opting out and has signed a form acknowledging their rights and options, or that the young adult has voluntarily left the program and refuses to participate. Young adults can apply for re-admission to EFC if they either opted out or were previously terminated from the EFC program. There are no limits on the number of times a young adult may opt in or out. If the young adult is deemed no longer eligible for EFC or is denied re-admission to EFC, there are certain due process requirements that Camelot, Eckerd, and the
Department of Children and Families must provide, including proper notice and an opportunity for an administrative hearing. If you have any questions or concerns regarding youth who are aging out, young adults in Extended Foster Care, or young adults seeking to return to Extended Foster Care, please reach out to your assigned Child Advocacy Manager or Child's Best Interest Attorney.
Submitted by,
Melissa Jagger, Esquire
Senior Child's Best Interest Attorney
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Year in Review
It seems that this year has flown by and it has certainly been a busy one in the Recruitment Department! We have met so many great people who are interested in helping children. It can be easy to forget all that we have accomplished when the need for child advocates is still so great. Oftentimes when we are out in the community we are also planting the seeds for future advocates. I am reminded of this so often when I ask people how they heard of GAL and many say they have known about us for years and were just waiting for the right time to volunteer. Because of this, we are always striving to find new ways to continue to both educate and remind the community that their voice is still so desperately needed by so many children. Highlighted below are some of our more noteworthy
activities of 2018.
In the past year we:
Established an Interview Team of experienced GALs in Pinellas who help with interviewing prospective volunteers.
Started our program Facebook page in April and currently we are at 220 Followers and 213 page likes. Please continue to like, react to and share our posts via the link below as we have been seeing people come to information sessions who learned about us through Facebook.
Participated in Child Abuse Awareness and Foster Care Awareness activities throughout the community were we placed Pinwheels to heighten awareness at libraries and other places of business.
Started our Facebook Tuesday Talks interviews to
further educate people about what we do.
Were guests on Fox 13's Good Day Tampa Bay with Laura Moody as well as Spirit FM, So Local Pasco and WeBeam TV.
Responded to an outpouring of inquiries from the community following the Jordan Belliveau case.
Established a connection with a large retirement community, Top of the World, in Clearwater.
Put our recruitment message on School marquees across Pasco County.
Worked with Pasco Schools, Libraries and Pasco Kids First to collect hundreds of self-decorated hands from children all over the county in support of Children's Week.
Participated in a Career Fair, where middle and high school students were able to visit various organizations to learn about educational and experience required for jobs in those fields. (Planting seeds for the future).
Submitted by,
Karen Malo
Community Outreach Coordinator
6th Circuit - Pinellas County
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October Pinellas GAL of the Month
Vicki Williams
Vicki Williams is a very dedicated guardian. When she began to volunteer for the program, she requested a baby or young child for her first case. At the time, I had a case with three sibling teen girls. Vicki agreed to take the challenge. She visited the girls at their placement with their older sister and had strong reservations right from the get-go. She began to visit more often and also began to visit them at school. She discovered the girls were not going to school (after being straight A students at the beginning of the year). She also learned there were many inappropriate incidences taking place in their placement. I talked to our CBIA and he agreed that we needed to have a status hearing ASAP, resulting in the girl's removal from the home. The girls were very unhappy with this and when she began visiting them in their new placements, they were very resistant, telling her they didn't want to see her and using abusive language. At this point, Vicki wanted to give up. She didn't feel like she was making a difference. After we talked, Vicki decided to continue with the case. She realized that so many people had given up on the girls, they expected her to do the same. Vicki began visiting even more often and making sure their needs were being met. She assured the girls over and over that all she cared about was their best interest despite everything that was going on with their family. After another placement change, the girls finally began to realize their Guardian was not going to go away quietly. She continued to be strong for them and advocate for them. At the most recent hearing, the girls proudly showed us their
grades: they are back to straight A's. Vicki has gone above and beyond time and again for these girls. Needless to say, the girls now trust her. They are back on track. The girls are headed towards reunification with their mother but they know if anything bad happens or they are struggling, they can call their Guardian and she will be there for them.
Child Advocacy Manager,
Kim Auito
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November Pinellas GALS of the Month: K
aren and Fred Twilla
Our Guardians are exceptional people everywhere you look! Karen and Fred Twilla, who reside outside of Pinellas County stepped in and accepted the responsibility of visiting one of our children placed out of county. Fred and Karen were new
volunteers, very eager to expand on
the knowledge they received
 during the volunteer training process. Their role soon shifted. Fred and Karen began to actively work this case, representing their child. In fact, this couple made the trip to Pinellas County to observe parental visits and attend staffings, both by phone and in person. These
Guardians worked very hard to be the voice of the child. The goal of the case changed to Adoption. Fred and Karen were both present at the mediation. The parents eventually decided to sign surrenders. These volunteers were once again back in Pinellas County to present Manifest Best Interest testimony. Thank you Fred and Karen. With your dedication and diligence, this case is now able to move forward so that permanency can be achieved!
Moving Forward
Fred and Karen are really the true reason why
There will soon be a forever home by and by.
We thank you for your expert representation.
We thank you for your ongoing dedication!
Child Advocacy Manager Two,
Paulette White
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November Pasco GAL of the Month
Alice Delgardo
Alice Delgardo became a volunteer in July 2017 and I have had the pleasure of working with her since April 2018 as her CAM. She is the former President / CEO of the United Way of Pasco County. We are so privileged to have her as one of our amazing volunteers.
Alice has gone above and beyond in advocating for the child on her case. She is dedicated to achieving permanency for this little girl that she represents. She provides guidance to both the child and the foster family as needed. She exhibits direction and leadership skills, is excellent with children, and really cares about our community and the well-being of others.
Additionally, Alice makes sure to attend Brown Bag lunches as well as In-Service programs to ensure she is up to date on the latest training and information to improve her knowledge base. Ms. Delgardo has spoken at an in-service and provided information to volunteers regarding the resources the United way has to offer the community.
Valerie Mooney,
Child Advocacy Manager
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December Pasco GAL of the Month
Jeannie Foxworth
Jeannie has been a dedicated and steadfast advocate for our children. She has worked with a variety of ages and does a great job with all of them! We are very fortunate to have her as a volunteer. In her own words, Jeannie says, "Working with children has been my passion most of my adult life. Throughout the years I have taught children of all ages through church ministry, mentored with a non-profit organization for abused and orphaned children, and worked at a local middle school for five years. It was while working at the middle school that I became burdened by the struggles some of the foster children were facing and I found the Guardian ad Litem program. I just completed my second year as a GAL and recently resigned from my job so I could focus more on volunteering. Being a GAL has been challenging and eye opening, but incredibly rewarding. I consider it a privilege to be able to invest in and advocate for these children." Thank you for your time, commitment and enthusiasm!
Child Advocacy Manager,
Alyssa Bambard
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SUPERHERO PARTY
Saturday, February 9th: SuperHero Party!
ICOT Office: 14102 58th St. N, Clearwater 10:30am - 1pm
Register
Here
Children ages 4-10 are invited to participate in this fun SuperHero Party led by members of GFWC!There will be SuperHero cape making, games and yummy food and drink. There are two time slots available -- 10am - 11:30am and 12:00pm - 1:30pm, so please specify which location when you sign up!
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Saturday, March 9th: I Am For The Child: Taste of Pasco 1pm - 4pm
Join us for a fun filled evening with food, music and fine wine. Delight in the gourmet tastes from many amazing restaurants. Hear inspiring stories from families involved in the Guardian ad Litem Program. Help lift up the voice of a child-learn more about the work volunteer advocates do every day to protect abused, abandoned or neglected children in Pasco County.
Pre-registration is preferred but walk-ins will be accommodated. Tickets are $25/ person. Sponsorships are also available. All proceeds go to support children in foster care in Pasco County. Learn More Here
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Nominated by YFA 
We congratulate
Patty and Steve Maclauchlan!
Patty and Steve are great supports for the parents on their case. They were able to think outside the box on one of their current cases in regards to a no contact order. They show great partnership with YFA. They are able to identify family strengths.
Case Managers of the Month
In the spirit of partnership, the Guardian ad Litem Program nominates a Case Manager of the Month from the case management agencies serving under Eckerd Community Alternatives. The Case Manager from Pinellas for November is
Erin Jennings from Directions for Living and
Devon Ruiz from Pasco Youth and Family Alternatives. The Case Manager for December is
Dafina Naciadis from Lutheran Services and
Adam Childs from Youth and Family Alternatives. Thank you all for your partnership, diligence, communication and collaboration for the children and families we serve.
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Poets Corner
SANTA CLAUS AND GALS
Santa comes with his bag of toys, his joy, and so much cheer.
GALS come with their knowledge, skill, holding children so dear.
GALS you are our bag of
representation, we cherish your care.
You go forward day after day while others would not even dare.
Thank you always GALS! May every blessing be bestowed on you.
Children are in your hearts, we know, and Santa knows that too.
We wish you the very best holiday season, with a HO, HO, HO!
Thank you GALS for all of the dedication, and devotion you show.
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Submitted by
Diana Aboussir
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Commitment to Children- The children for whom we advocate are our most important priority.
Communication Built on Trust- The Program has a culture of open communication, active listening, teamwork, and regard for the views of others. This includes being honest and straightforward with the children we represent in keeping with their level of age and maturity.
Collective Empowerment- Each circuit has the authority and responsibility to make and implement the best decisions to meet the children's needs. This empowerment must be passed on to volunteers, staff and attorneys.
Collaboration- The Program proactively seeks to develop relationships that promote the well-being of the whole child.
Courtesy- The Program values all who engage in this challenging work and ensures they are treated with respect and dignity.
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