In the Sixth Judicial Circuit we are fortunate to be part of a program know as the Early Childhood Court (Baby Court).   In Pinellas, it has been in effect a little over a year and it is run by the Honorable Judge Kimberly Todd and in Pasco (Dade City) it is run by the Honorable Judge Lynn Tepper. It is a completely voluntary program with wrap around services designed to fast track a family through the system due to the intensity of the services.   The focus of Early Childhood Baby Court is the CHILD.

There is a team that works with the family through the duration of the case.The team consists of an Assistant State Attorney, a case manager, a peer mentor who has been through some aspect of the dependency system (each parent is assigned one), a CPP counselor,a Guardian ad Litem, a Child's Best Interest Attorney, an Attorney for each parent and a Community Coordinator. Each of these people come to every hearing if at all possible, as well as the foster parent or the custodian, and the child.  There is a small group of people that work in Early Childhood Court so the players within the system remain as constant as possible.The goal is to try to keep as many people the same within this small group of cases so that there is a familiarity within the families that come through the program.　 There is one case manager assigned to Early Child Court and right now Project Hope provides the services so there is minimal turnover for the parents.  There are currently three therapist assigned to Project Hope to work with the program.　　 The peer mentors assist the parents tremendously with employment and housing searches, as well as providing emotional support and transportation.

In Pinellas, in order for a case to be selected for Early Childhood Court, the child 　removed must be from 0-3 years of age, Project Hope agrees to accept the case, the child must be placed in Pinellas to be able to work the services 　and the parents must voluntarily agree to work the program.　 In Pinellas, there are only 10 openings available.

In Pasco, in order for a case to be selected for Early Childhood Court, the child removed must be from 0-3 of age, but Pasco tries to select a child no more than 2 ½ years old (to prevent the child from ageing out too soon).it is preferred that the child be placed in Pasco County, but a Pasco child placed in another county does not prevent the child from being eligible for ECC services, and the parents must voluntarily agree to work the program. In Pasco, there are only 10 openings available. *

Another important part of Early Childhood Court is　 visitation and contact. The therapy provided in Early Childhood Court is called Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP). It is essential that there be consistent and frequent contact between the parent and the child for this therapy to be effective. The therapist will usually meet with the parent three times a week and eventually these will include the child to help the bonding process between the child and the parent.  This program encourages the placement, whether it is foster or relative/non - relative , to be involved with providing visits,　 phone calls, mentoring and providing a support to the parent. It encourages co-parenting so that the impact to the child from the removal is as little as possible.  Frequent visitation is ordered and daily contact is recommended. The contact can be telephonic in the form of facetime or even a video.　　 　In these cases, the first placement is intended to the only placement.

Along with the intensity of the services, at the beginning there are more frequent staffing's, to ensure that the case is progressing as expected.　 They should occur every 7 - 15 days. 　　Sometimes they may occur more frequently depending on whether there is something significant occurring.  At the very beginning of the case, there may be more frequent Court hearings. In Pinellas, Early Childhood Court cases are heardevery 2 weeks on a Friday Calendar. The case may be heard once a month or every other month. There may be times when it will be heard twice a month.　 The cases usually last about 30 minutes. The progress of the parents is reviewed at every hearing as well as the status of the child. The child is always discussed first because the focus of this Court is the child.

In Pasco, Early Childhood Court cases are scheduled to be heard once a month on a Wednesday afternoon Calendar.  However, when necessary, an ECC case may be heard twice a month.  Although cases are usually scheduled 30 minutes apart, no actual hearing time is limited to 30 minutes-the hearing will last for as long as is needed.  The progress of the parents is reviewed at every hearing as well as the status of the child.　 The child is always discussed first because the focus of this Court is the child.*

Although Early Childhood Court is still relatively new in Pinellas, the hope is that the intensity of the services provided to the family and the support system built for them as a result of taking part in this program will provide a foundation for them to raise their child. That the parent(s) build on that foundation once they successfully complete the program and avoid returning to the system.

(*Special thanks to Sr. CBIA Wanda Davis for the Pasco ECC information.)

 ~  Mariella Ollson, Esquire

Senior Child's Best Interest Attorney

Clearwater Office

With summer almost upon us, the weather is getting warmer and it will soon be time to think of activities for our children in dependency to take part in over the Summer. The city of Saint Petersburg has many recreational facilities with rec centers located central to neighborhoods. Check out the city of Saint Pete's Parks & Rec website to find out more information. Remember that many city funded scholarships & stipends are available for qualified youth on a first come, first serve basis. Now is the time to start planning with parents & caregivers!

This Month's online training recommendation comes  fr om the Quality Parenting Initiative online training archives.   The lect ure topic is Reactive Attachment Disorder . Child psychiatrist, Dr. Neil Boris, walks you through the symptoms, causes & treatments of this attachment based disorder that many children in care are challenged with. Dr. Boris explains the "circle of security" that developing children need to help them develop healthy attachments. Take the quiz at the end of this informative training for 1.5 in-service hours.   Click here to start . This recommendation comes from veteran GAL Dawn Freijo. If you like this RAD training, you can find more just like it on a variety of different topics on the QPI website! Take a look!

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

The first time I met Lorna "Lori" Cook I recognized inherent qualities that I thought would make her an extraordinary Guardian ad Litem.  A GAL since 2014, I can attest that my expectations were exceeded and she has become an excellent GAL.  Lori is currently advocating for five children, some of which are from different families.  She has dedicated herself unselfishly to advocate for the safety and well being of the children she has worked with.  Lori attends all staffings, court hearings, writes the Judicial Review reports, and maintains constant communication.  Lori is always accessible and responsive. Lori has shown skill in establishing relationships and rapports with children, caregivers, and parents.  She visits the children regularly and takes them into the community to further foster the bond between them and also to expose the children to experiences they have never had. Trips to the theater, zoo, and dinners out were some of the special times.  The reports that Lori submitted of these outings were as much full of joy in the fun that the children have had with Lori, but it was Lori's accounts that illustrated how much pleasure she has had in seeing how the children have been thriving.

Lori recently was instrumental in testifying in her first TPR Trial.  The trial lasted four days. Lori, using her vacation time so she would be at the trial as it kept being extended, was determined to be present, as her children knew she was their eyes, ears, and voice. The trial was successful. After the trial Lori has continued to advocate for the best outcome as the children proceed toward adoption. I believe that the children will remember the impact she has made on their lives forever.

 

Lori, thank you so much for your tireless work and the difference you have made for these children.  All that you have done is greatly appreciated and we are glad you have chosen to be a part of the Guardian ad Litem Program.

~ 

Haron Housman

Child Advocacy Manager

Guardians are exposed to many sad stories on a regular basis with their cases.  It can be a struggle to maintain a positive attitude as we do this work.  If we are not self aware, we can experience compassion fatigue which can have numerous negative impacts on out personal well being.  According to Dr. Charles Figley Compassion Fatigue is defined as "a state experienced by those helping people or animals in distress; it is an extreme state of tension and preoccupation with the suffering of those being helped to the degree that it can create a secondary traumatic stress for the helper."(Source" Compassion Awareness Project" http://www.compassionfatigue.org/)

Whether you are a new GAL or have been doing this for years  anyone can experience  compassion fatigue.  New Guardians may be shocked and overwhelmed when they first get a case and those with more experience can slowly over time experience  symptoms such as depression, fatigue or physical ailments.   Just hearing about some of the abuse the children have endured is cause for anyone to feel bad for the children we serve but when that feeling takes over our life it is in our own best interest to address it.

We would not be involved with this type of work if we weren't caring people who want to help others.  However, when we are feeling that we are being affected on a personal level it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms Compassion Fatigue.  Once we recognize them we can take steps to ensure that we are taking care of ourselves.  There are various resources online on this topic and there are several  tests and questionnaires that can be taken to assess if you are experiencing the effects of caring too much.  Knowledge is power so I would encourage all of our GALs to educate yourselves on this very important topic.  Below is a link to a workshop presented  by The Center for Child Welfare at USF. 

Click Here to View

If hearts could cry, the Dade City GAL office would be flooded with tears. On May 11, 2016, we lost one of our former GALs, Lu Briggs, East Pasco's GAL of the Year in 2004. She was known in the community as "Pastor Lu" because she was an ordained Church of God minister. Lu retired at age 75, six years ago.  Well, she never really did retire. She would stop by the GAL office every few months to say "hello" and check on us to see how we were doing.  Lu continued to be active in the community assisting women at the local domestic violence and sexual abuse shelter.  She would go to court with them, providing support and sometimes testifying. At one time her church was set up as a visitation center for families.  Lu had a group of ladies who met at her home for support once a week. I had referred one of them to Lu when she called our office asking for a GAL.  It was a family court case.  I gave the young woman Lu's phone number saying, "We cannot help you, but I know a lady who might be able to." Lu told me this young Indian woman, who happened to be Hindu, came to her group and fit in beautifully. According to Lu's husband, Merle, she never charged anyone for her therapy sessions. The judges who respected and relied on her, the GAL office, the families she helped, and everyone who knew her, will miss her.  Her family requested that anyone who wants to make a donation in her name, give to her church or the Guardian ad Litem Program.  We are honored to have known her and gratified that she thought so much of us and the work we do.

~ Jean McNary

Dade City GAL Office

                                              Time for sunshine, beaches, lots of fun too.  School is out!

Children everywhere want a great summer and give out a shout.

But our children may not have such a great opportunity for fun.

It is often the child's GAL who steps up and gets the job done.

 

You transport, you create as much normalcy as you possibly can.

You interact with the children and you are their greatest fan.

Thank you Guardians one and all.  You are the real sunshine.

We are grateful to all of you.  You are Guardians so very fine.

~ Diana Aboussir