E-Advocator
 
  Insider News for the
6th Circuit
Guardian ad Litem
May 2016
In This Issue
Save These Dates!
In Service Events 

Independent & O bjective Investigation- The First 6 Weeks

Wednesday
May 25, 2016
6-8PM
BOCC 8731 Citizens Drive
New Port Richey 34654

Dade City Inservice
Heart Gallery of Pinellas/Pasco
Date: June 23, 2016
Time: 4-6pm
Location: St. Mary's Episcopal Church 
**GALS receive 2 hours towards recertification for attendance**

Optima Training

Are you ready to be the first to be trained on the new GAL internet
based case management system?
 
 Did you know that under this system you can submit your visit notes and other important information electronically and you will be able to view other case information directly? 
 
This is an exciting new program is based on a National CASA model and is designed to help us improve our outcomes for children.
 
 Space is limited so please RSVP for your training, by calling Suzzette at 727-464-7171               or e-mail her at Suzzette.Bernardo@gal.fl.gov

The trainings will be at the
 ICOT office, 14102 58th St. N, Clearwater 33760
You should bring a laptop, or tablet for this training.  There is wireless network in the training room.

Time options are:

June 13 11:15am -5pm
June 14 9:00am - 3:00pm
June 15 10:00am - 4pm
June 16 10:30am - 430pm


Other Fun Events 

The Guardian ad Litem Foundation has established a Meetup page to keep track of our fun social events! Please check it out and join us for an event close to you. http://www.meetup.com/Guardian-ad-Litem-Volunteers-of-Pinellas-Pasco/
If you have ideas for a social event and are willing to organize it, please email Linda Zolper at LindaZ@galf6.org.
 
Brown Bag Lunches

Pinellas

Friday, June 17th at 11.30am. ICOT Center, 14102 58th St, Clearwater 
Pasco
NPR: Friday, June 17th at noon. Health Department, 10841
Little Rd, Bldg B, NPR
Dade City: Friday, June 10th at noon. Dade City GAL office 
For the Children

Scholarships

Please be aware of this opportunity for our children/teens and advocate for their educational options: 

Click here for information on scholarships available through the state of FL for students with special needs and IEPs.

~  

Stars of the Month 
Volunteer Stars are sponsored by the Guardian ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay
  
Pinellas
Lynn Romano
Cheryl Schwartz
Barbara Henderson
Shirley Morrison
Shannon Mills
Valarie Hanson
Paul Alcocer
Russell Gordon
Judy Warrick
Christine Malpartida
Pamela Young
Robert Lee
Catherine Beardsley
Alex Nicodemi
 
Pasco  
Susan Kristensen 
Dena Ashworth 
 Jessica Peeples
Mitchell Shanks 
Kimberly Thursby
Pamela Young
Gene Goldberg
Lisa Nelson
Pat McArdle
 

Like us on Facebook
Great Peeps to Tweet! 
LeAnn Kahl for successfully completing her first trial and testifying in court.
Marleen Struys for always being available to her child and being such a fierce advocate for him.
Donna Richey for completing her first case which closed in Permanent Guardianship.
Jennifer Quinn for arranging free family counseling for her child and mother. And for offering to pick up the child and drive her from Tampa to St. Pete and back every Wednesday.
Abby Nusbaum for requesting cases and never saying "No" to TPR cases.
Nancy Keyser for accepting a reunification case that is in Tampa, then not only doing monthly visits, but adding visits to the school and unannounced visits on the weekend.
George Pavlidakey for connecting with a difficult child and then continuing to visit when he moved to Tampa.
Kathi Konkle who never says "No" to me.
Francie Nelson who has had a very difficult case and has been working the case through TPR after 4 yrs.  Now the adoption phase which should be smooth has lumps and bumps too!
Rhonda Alvarez who has facilitated the sibling visits no matter how far she has to travel.
   Dione Chandler who accepted her first case with three children in 2013.  Another child was born into the case. Dione is still on this case, as it appears to be heading to TPR. 
Jennifer Kilmurray for taking on a challenging new case that appears to be already heading toward TPR. Jennifer attends every court date and staffing on her cases and always has a pulse on everything that is happening. 
Russ Cowper for volunteering for accepting an additional complicated case.  Russ was paramount in having the child removed from a placement that was abusive.  His tenacity in working with the case manager made this happen.  He spent hours with the AAL and CPI the night the child was moved to a safe placement. Unfortunately, the child has been moved once again but Russ' continued visits with the child have been just about the only consistency in the child's life.
Maribel Chavez for accepting her first case.  Maribel accepted an out of county case which was much appreciated.
Sam Dulberg for his continued dedication on his case with many challenges.  A special thanks to Sam for helping with courtesy visits.
Mariela Tassone for her continued dedication to two young children that she has continued to visit out of county and ensure that their many needs are being met.  Mariela's first case closed with a happy ending.
Meaghan Begonis for volunteering for her first case. Meaghan immediately was in the middle of a change in  placement staffing and a mediation. 
Lori Cook's case was quite difficult and frustrating.  Lori never gave up for the girls.  She always provided them guidance.  The girls looked to Lori for reassurance, advice and a friend.  The case went for TPR and was successful.  The trial lasted four days but Lori made sure she was there. She was instrumental in the outcome.  The girls said they could never thank her enough.
  CAM Two Andrea Watson for being such a strong part of the New Port Richey Team

James Rowe - in light of a potential placement disruption, James agreed to continue visiting and advocating for the child when placed out of county
Mitchell Shanks for completing OOC visits and taking on a new case. 
Kimberly Thursby for taking on a new case...glad to have you back!  
Pamela Young for always being there to help with the OOC visits!
 Joyce Sickler for always being on top of her visits/OOC cases and having thorough reports!
Greg Cardinal for always lending a helping hand!
Angelynn Baxter-Weeks for being an outstanding advocate on her new OOC cases!
Roger DePauw- as one case was closing, requesting appointment to another new case. Regular, detailed visits and notes and attends all staffing and court.
Judith Perkins connected with a child and caregiver on an initial assessment visit, requested appointment to the case and stayed with them through adoption, attending every staffing and court date.
Arlene Nolke for a successful end to her first case and for having the courage to ask for another one!
Joanne Bryan for the help that she gives me every week in the office, as I could not survive without her, and also for taking another case and being a field coach!
Ann and Gary Worthley for being field coaches!
Linda Grandinetti for her testimony at trial!
Susan Saenen for putting so much into her first case and even traveling to east Hillsborough County for reunification purposes!
Shari Silk for helping out at the last minute with child visits!
Johnathan White for doing an awesome job on his first case of 2 months!
Welcome to my newest volunteer, Diane Gilroy!
 
Anniversaries
ONE Christi Mills Gene Goldberg
Jody Hansen - Walker Khedjia Nottingham Ruth Smith
Roberta Small Julie Paver EIGHT
TWO Geri Rotter Donald Carter
Stephany Sanchez Esq. Elizabeth Samuelson Peggy Carter
Maurice Acuna Cheryl Schwartz NINE
Diane Adams Diane Sharp Sarah Beth Van
Molly Camp Jo Streitmatter Schoyck Esq.
Sarun Chhoeung Lindsey Wilson Nita Leanza
Faith Del Percio THREE TEN
Patricia Ford Gretchen Ackerson Shirley Morrison
Roestta Jastrem Randi Callahan ELEVEN
Kate Kohler Kathie Jackson Peggy Miller
Jill Long Kathy Robinson SIXTEEN
Jane Mccroary FOUR June Mcfadden
Elva Mcphee Daniel Sieggreen Linda Attardo
Marcia Merrifield FIVE SEVENTEEN
Mim Merta Linda Barbera Donna Gaffney

Welcome New GALS
Dena Ashworth Tracey Fitzpatrick Diana Matt
Brittney "Paige" Baker Donald Golliher Jennifer Matthews
Suzzette Bernardo  Jillmarie Guarino Mary Mcmannis
Ramita Buckley Valarie Hanson Jennifer Munro
Tara Caney Barbara Healey Marcie Novis-Levine
Michael Chambers Amy Jo Jones Jessica Peeples
Sandra Crabtree Erica Jozwiak Zachariah "Zach" Rayburn
Linda Dodson Susan Kristensen Dawn Schwirtz
Linda Eaton Anthony Martinjak Robert Shearer

Case Manager of the Month

As part of the Children's Action Team Staff Support/Morale Committee, the Guardian ad Litem Program nominates a Case Manager of the Month from ECA each month.  This staff member is being recognized for their outstanding service and their work with community partners.
 
Our ECA Case Manager for the month is Daniel Rumeau from Youth and Family Alternatives
 
A few nominations are written below: 
  
"Daniel Rumeau does a great job! He appears very dedicated to helping the families he's working with and is very professional in his demeanor, too. "
  
"He has been presenting at our GAL trainings for over a year now. He never misses one and comes on Saturdays. He is also a great case manager. He's always promptly returning phone calls and emails."
  
"Daniel Rumeau is dedicated, reliable and tries to see all sides on his cases. He is great at maintaining communication too. He is consistently a very good case manager on all the cases we have had together."
 
Congratulations and THANK YOU for your work on behalf of dependent children and their families!!  Enjoy your parking space.
Director's Directions
By 6th Circuit Director,
Donna Rasmussen

The Sixth Judicial Circuit hosted the  2nd Annual Pro bono Ceremony on April 15, that is an event through the Sixth Circuit Pro Bono Committee, chaired by the Honorable Kimberly Todd, in conjunction with the  Circuit Judges, Legal Aid Organizations that serve our Circuit, the Clerk of Court, the Guardian ad Litem Program, the local Bar Associations, and Young Lawyers Division of the Florida Supreme Court.    This annual ceremony honor attorneys, law students, last firms and paralegals who provide pro bono work to the needy in our community through various community legal aid organizations, the Court, or the GAL Program. Of particular note, honored at the event were two attorneys who have provided over 100 hours in 2015 for the 6th Circuit GAL Program were Thomas Biniak and Melissa Jagger.   Also recognized for 20 hours or more of service from 2015 were  the following attorneys:  William Backer, Mariela Ollsen, Rebecca Brodeur, David Neiser, Stephany Sanchez, Jennifer Perez. John Gohl,   Christina Glaser, Constance Coleman,  Erica Smith, Steve Russell, Chelsea Hardy, Sarah van Schoyck,    Andrew Maurin, Elyse McGuire,  Regina Kardash and Paul Cavonis. In addition, several of our Stetson Law Students received Honorable Mention for their great work.  They are: Rachel Curran, Michele Goodman, Kaitlyn Macomber and Adam Campbell. Also honored for nominations for pro bono service and also the Chair award was Wanda Davis, our Dade City Senior Best Interest Attorney.  I am especially pleased to share that Regina Melore, won an overall award for outstanding service by a Paralegal. This above list is not inclusive of all of the attorneys or law students currently serving as through our program, so we would like to thank all of you attorneys and law students who help our most needy citizens, by engaging in this challenging and rewarding work.  We currently have about 30 Stetson Law students serving as guardians ad litem. We recognized you have busy lives, and from our heart to yours, thank you for sharing your time and skills helping children and families through the Guardian ad Litem Program.

The 6th
Circuit Vital Statistics:
As of March 2016  
 
Children in Dependency   
2410 (>) 
Of those without a GAL
1142 (<)
Case Volunteers
757 (>)
Transportation Approved Volunteers
292 (=)
GAL Best Practice
 

RECORDS: Please make every effort to obtain independent verification in regard to needed parental records.   Remember parents need to sign a release and those releases

are available in the GAL office. As to children's records, these may be obtained upon presentation of the GAL Court Order and the GAL Notice of Acceptance.
Copies of Individual Education Plans (IEP) should be on file in the GAL office, as well as any needed medical records.

VISITATION:Visits to our children regularly every thirty (30) days continue to be veryimportant so that any issues that develop may be addressed. Thank you for your visitation notes GALS. They are invaluable!

JR REPORTS:Please calendar your Judicial Review Court Date in advance to allow time for you to prepare your report and submit to your CAM so that your report may be filed within the legal timeframe.  

Again and again, thank you GALS!

Legal Forum
Department Protocol when a Missing or Runaway Child Returns 
 
When a child in the Dependency system is missing or runs away, the Department has an operating procedure that dictates the actions to be taken upon the return of the child. According to the Department's procedure, the child must hear and see statements of concern regarding the child's safety and well being from adults who have significant relations with the child, upon the child's return. Caregivers shall be instructed to take care of the child's immediate needs before addressing appropriate discipline or consequences. Examples of these immediate needs include food, bathing, medical attention, rest, and even psychotherapeutic and behavioral interventions. Furthermore, the Department's operating procedure describes appropriate discipline or consequences, in this situation, as child and caregiver proceeding with calmly discussing the incident and clarifying behavioral expectations. Additionally, upon the location of the child, the case manager is required to immediately notify the child's parents, legal custodians, relatives, caregivers, Guardian ad Litem, law enforcement, the court, the Missing Children Information Clearing House, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The child should be interviewed privately by the case manager to determine if further services or a change of placement is needed. A referral for a mental health evaluation must be made in cases of a child runaway. The case manager and supervisor are required to consult to determine whether a staffing should be held. If the staffing is held, it should include caregivers, the Legal Representation for the Department, clinical staff, and the Guardian ad Litem. The case manager is to ensure that the necessary databases are updated to reflect the return of the child. If a child who has run away expresses a desire to live in an alternate placement, a home study and background check shall be conducted to determine appropriateness. The case manager is to update the case plan to include appropriate services and tasks, and update the court. If necessary, additional training or consultation will be identified and provided for the caregivers. All of these intervention actions upon return of the child must be recorded in the HomeSafenet chronological notes. If you have questions about your child who has run away or recently returned from running away, contact your Child Advocacy Manager or Child's Best Interest Attorney for more information.
 
~ Kari Marsland-Pettit, Esquire
Child's Best Interest Attorney
Recruitment Corner
We find that there are many wonderful people who would like to make a difference and help children who have been abused or neglected. While they may have the heart to help, some people are just not able to take on a full case. So while our main goal is to recruit Guardians to represent the thousands of children in dependency, at the same time we realize that this role is not for everyone. We are in the process of looking at other options for those who may wish to contribute in other ways. We also recognize that some of our long term volunteers who are currently on inactive status that have already advocated for so many children, may have found themselves in a situation where they are unable to take on the responsibility of carrying a full case. Rather than lose that volunteer - someone who has invested their own time, talents and energy and who we have invested so much time in training and has a great deal of experience - we can help them to find other ways to continue to help us with our mission.
So while we will not be actively seeking out people to fulfill these roles just yet, we would like to be able to offer those individuals other volunteer options that would still allow us to serve children. So if your situation changes and you find that you are not able to carry a full case there are other options.   Some of these might include things such as:
  • Visiting a child who has moved from another county
  • Assessments
  • Field Coach or Mentor a new volunteer
Recruitment Activities including:
  • Represent GAL at festivals and events
  • Distribute recruitment materials at public places
  • Assist with Prescreening Volunteer Applicants
  • Make phone calls to potential leads
For more information, or if this is something that you feel you would be interested in please let your CAM know.  If you have a question specific to recruitment you can send an email to karen.malo@gal.fl.gov.
~ Karen Malo, 
Pinellas County Community 
Outreach Coordinator
GAL Media Corner

It's hard to believe it but May is already here! We are over a quarter of the way through 2016. Spring time is often associated with "rebirth" and "renewal". At the GAL program, we often see transformations and new beginnings with our children and families in dependency.  
   
This Month's online training recommendation comes f rom the award winning PBS series, FRONTLINE. The series has published an extensive and interactive experience online that addresses the system of care, child welfare policy changes and stories from the field. Engage with this web series, "Failure to Protect" , for 1 hour of in-service credit.
   
Would you like to see your recommendation here on the Media Corner? Tell me what you have last seen, heard or read that has helped you sharpen your advocacy skills! Submit your recommendations to Daniella.Saiz@gal.fl.gov.  And remember, please keep submitting all your GAL In service hours in Pinellas to Daniella.Saiz@gal.fl.gov, and in Pasco to your CAM.

~ Daniella Saiz-Calderon, B.A.
Senior Administrative Specialist II
Pasco GAL of the Month
Charles "Chuck" Magee
has only been with the Guardian ad Litem program since January of 2014 but he has long been a proactive volunteer in the community for over 25 years and still is with various organizations. When he applied to the Guardian ad Litem program, one letter of reference for him emphatically stated and highlighted the fact that they definitely recommended Chuck as a volunteer without reservation and "quite frankly you need more volunteers like Chuck" - quite an endorsement even before receiving his first case. With only eight months experience as a GAL Volunteer, Chuck accepted one of the most challenging cases I have ever encountered. The case involved six siblings ages 1 through 10, with significant medical and mental health issues, variously placed in medical foster care, therapeutic foster care and traditional foster care in two counties and three cities. Chuck was dedicated to doing what was in the best interest of the children from the very beginning. He gathered as much information about the children and reviewed mountainous facts of each child's medical and mental health issues as well as the regular piles of court documents he received. Chuck is a great communicator as well as listener which were important when establishing a working relationship with the attorney assigned to the case and the case manager as well as the various caregivers he contacted on a regular basis and the court. Ten months after receiving this case and as a result of a lot of hard work on Chuck's part, the children began transitioning to a prospective adoptive placement where they still remain, are thriving and making unbelievable progress. They will be adopted in the near future by this incredible couple and their family. This has not slowed Chuck down whatsoever, through his effort and the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, this past Christmas, the children received almost every gift that was on their "wish list", making it a Christmas to remember for them in their new home with their prospective parents. Chuck still visits regularly until adoption but he just doesn't check in or just visit the children however; he goes to the home and has breakfast with them, goes bowling with them and attends family functions with them. He enjoys seeing the children, he appreciates the progress they have made and the family like environment they now enjoy. The children love seeing Chuck and are very happy he came into their life. I believe the children will long remember their "GAL Chuck". Chuck's letter of reference couldn't have been more right "We need more volunteers like Chuck"!
 
~ Charlie Solano
Child Advocacy Manager
 
 
Pinellas GALs of the Month
Sheila Marie Russell has been a volunteer Guardian ad Litem since August 2014. She is totally dedicated to the children she is appointed to. She is a very cheerful lady and works very well with parents, foster parents, parents' service providers and case managers alike. She gathers records on her cases, attends all meetings, and does all the leg work that is needed.
Sheila was previously appointed to a child in a nursing home. The child was able to recognize her in the beginning, but then his health deteriorated. Sheila was there to visit the child on a frequent basis even when it seemed the child was not able to acknowledge visitors anymore. She continually cheered up the child and included the other children on the same floor with little celebrations. Sheila is able to be assertive with parents and caregivers, but keep them close at the same time.
Sheila is currently appointed to a case with 2 young children. She attends outings with the children when few other people do, and the children, even though they are small, know she is there for them at all times.
This Guardian gives of her time freely, and is happy to help wherever she is needed. She does not shy away from distance.
I am fortunate to have Sheila on my team! She has a huge heart. Thank You Sheila for all you do for the children and the Guardian ad Litem Program.
 
~ Evelien Still,
Child Advocacy Manager II
Self Care Tips
In last month's article we talked about taking care ourselves and why it is especially important to those of us in the helping/human services field. To continue on this same topic, we also need to look at why it can be so difficult to ask for help especially when it comes to our mental health. When we are sick we go to the doctor, when we need glasses we see an optometrist so why is it so difficult for many of us to seek out assistance with our own mental health? Most likely it's because mental health is not a tangible or visible thing. When someone has a broken arm or has the flu it is obvious because we can see it and we may even tell the person they need to go to the doctor. When someone is suffering from any type of mental health related issue such as depression or anxiety society tends to say "just get over it", "toughen up" or otherwise stigmatizes those who are truly suffering.  Unfortunately, this exacerbates the problem and those who could really benefit from a mental health check up may feel embarrassed or weak and are less likely to seek help from a professional.
The benefit of finding a professional who is good is that they can help us see things in a different way because they are a neutral person looking at the situation from a fresh perspective, much like we ask Guardians to do. A therapist is someone who can assess our current situation and help us to determine what is in our best interest. They can help us to set goals for our own mental health at any time in our lives when we are feeling overwhelmed by the many stressors that life can bring. To seek help does not mean we are weak; it means we have the strength to let others see inside us so that we may begin to help ourselves.

Employee Assistance
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a benefit offered to employees and also offers free services to volunteers in our program including counseling. So remember if you are ever feeling overwhelmed by your case or anything that is going on in your life, not only is the program staff here to help but we encourage you to use this free benefit. For more information visit www.myflorida.com/myeap or call 800-860-2058 to discuss your situation and they can provide you with referrals to professional counselors.  
~ Karen Malo, 
Pinellas Community Outreach 
Coordinator and Guardian ad Litem  
Thank-you Jeff!
Dade City Bay Area Legal Services Attorney and GAL, Jeff Grabel,   conducted a two hour training titled "Understanding Civil Injunctions for Protection: An Overview and Legal Strategies" on April 15. The Sunrise Domestic and Sexual Violence Center organized and promoted the training which was funded by a special grant through the Florida Medical Clinic Foundation of Caring. Jeff has been associated with the Guardian ad Litem Program since 2005. He has also assisted Sunrise and this year was their master of ceremonies at the awards luncheon last October. Though he did not know it ahead of time, Jeff was one of the award recipients for 2015. Some local Guardians attended the training and left with some valuable information. The GAL program in Dade City is proud of Jeff for his long association with the GALP and his very valuable work with Sunrise. We are fortunate we have so many talented knowledgeable people who are part of our organization.
 
~ Jean McNary
VTL Guardian ad Litem Program
Welcome Back Diana!!
We welcome back Diana Aboussir and wish her healing knee a very speedy recovery.  Below is an open letter to her GAL Team:

Dear GALS,
Thank you for your exceptionally outstanding efforts working so very diligently on your cases, as you always do, during my absence on medical leave. I am so very grateful to each and every one of you. The attorneys on your cases were quick to congratulate me on the effectiveness of my GAL team. Visit reports were submitted regularly, JR reports were filed, and the lines of communication were open. The children were well represented during my absence. Please be aware that I was able to focus on my recovery knowing that my GALS were on the job! You are an incredible group of people.
In addition, I extend my heartfelt thank you to Judy Tangney, Area Coordinator, who took on all of the hard work needed to oversee my case load. This is not an easy task, since there are so many other duties for which Judy is responsible. However, teamwork always pays off. The GALS, Judy, and the attorneys all worked together to contribute to maintaining everything needed on every case.
A big thank you to my colleagues as well, who were constant in their efforts to assist, not just with my cases, but on a personal level. Thank you for your well wishes, your cards, phone calls, text messages, and your deep concern for my well being. You are all extraordinary people!!!
 
With sincere gratitude,
Diana
News from Tallahassee
When the Governor was notified that the Program had surpassed the goal of 10,000 volunteers he wanted to take the time to reach out to volunteers with words of appreciation. Click here to read Governor Rick Scott's personal letter "Thank you for your service", to GAL volunteers  .

Poet's Corner
Will The Pain Ever Go Away?
 
 
As this writer continues to work through a painful medical recovery,
My thoughts turned frequently to our children and I made a discovery.
My pain will hopefully diminish; what about our children and their pain?
Thankfully, there are Guardians who work so hard and provide some gain.
 
Guardians ad Litem are exceptionally dedicated; of that there is no doubt.
Know that without you, the pain would be greater. You always go all out.
There are no words to express how grateful we are to each of you,
For all of your hard work, your reports, and every single breakthrough.
~ Diana Aboussir