E-Advocator
 
  Insider News for the
6th Circuit
Guardian ad Litem
March 2017
In This Issue
Save These Dates!
Brown Bag Lunches

Pinellas:
Friday
April 21 
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM 
Icot Office

Pasco
New Port Richey:
Friday April 21  12:00 PM
NPR office 
8324 Corporate Way



IN SERVICE TRAININGS

E- GAL (EDUCATIONAL GUARDIAN)/ SURROGATE PARENTING IN-SERVICE 
There will be an orientation to become a c ertified Educational Guardian/Surrogate Parent. 
When: April 20, 2017 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 
Where: ICOT Center 14102 - 58th Street North Clearwater, FL 33760 It is necessary to register for this course so that you are able to complete the online training. Please register with  Kerry Kelly at: kellyke@pcsb.org - The deadline for registration is April 17, 2017 by    4:00 PM. You will also need to bring a copy of your driver's license and an electronic device that will allow you access to the internet. This orientation will assist you in navigating this online training. If you have any questions, please call Diana Aboussir, CAM at (727)464-6528.
 
Case Management Leadership- Heather King, Program Director, Lutheran Services  and Jenn Whealey, Director of Child Safety for Directions for Living
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at  6:00 PM,  ICOT 14250 58
th
St. North Clearwater
Lutheran Services and Directions  provide case management services in Pinellas. Come and learn how to navigate the system and get your questions answered.   Find out how we can all work together  to better serve our children!
 
 









Stars of the Month

Tammy Martin
Ray Kulla
Katie Fullerton
Diana Carsey
Chizom Okebugwu
Joanne Power
Gaby Gramling
Jona Witherspoon
Susan Swenson
Cindy Correll
Nicole Johnson
Nancy Pettygrove
Diane Adams
Gordie Jamieson
Michelle Gibson

Welcome New GALs
Gerodimos, Antoni
Stevenson, Alexander 
Stevenson, Julie
Dost, Gerald
Haggerty, Stacie
Love, Alvercy
Seriana, Thomas
Williams, Monique
Fletcher, Ruth
Galic, Beth
Bowen, Verona
Wingert, Karen
Youngblood, Herbert
Kelly, Ariel
Lybrook, Peggy
Burmeister, Lyle
Dwyer, Ann
Kurrack, Jason
Conte, Andrea
Pryor, Dorthy
Morelli, Christina
Speicher, Sarah
Butson, Miranda
Logan, Gina
Knighton, Emily
Slaughter, Megan
Dubose, Patti
Beckman, Kathleen
Lopez, Trishana
McVicker, Rose



Welcome New Staff
Rebecca  Dilley, Administrative Assistant Two


 
Great Peeps to Tweet! 

Charlene Tomas treated her children, a brother and sister, to a fun day at the Races and milkshakes! 
Paul Lambis took his 4 boys to the Races and  to CiCi's for pizza and to the movies to see "KONG". What a wonderful day with the boys!!!
Alex Diaz, CAM   for all his IT help whenever needed- Sally CAM
Gaby Gramling and Suzanne Peleggi who have been mentored by  Fran Ablick, and are amazing GALS already!
Thanks to Fran Abilock who is always there to step up and assist other GALS and advocate for many children. She is like an Angel to a CAM!
Thanks to my whole team for all you always do from Sally.
Kudos from Karan Malo to Cindy Sheppard and Monique Williams for not only recently becoming GALs but also for spreading the word and helping us to recruit more GALS!
Thank you to all the GALs who attended Dade City's February in-service. It was packed!
Tracy Wilhelm for a successful case closure.
Judy Brunner for closing her case in a successful reunification.
Joan Spangler for closing her case in a successful reunification
Marie Defillipo for a successful adoption.
Caroline Neidert for submitting an excellent court report.
Heloisa Bates for a successful case closure.
Maria Powley, a new GAL who not only took a case, but jumped to help with a courtesy visit.
Karyn Moses, for keeping up with her teenager through placement changes, job changes and his attempt to get his GED before he turns 18.
Mardee Harvey who was tenacious with the CBC agency on a pending move for her children.
Charlton Simmons, who has really advocated for his child who has serious mental health issues. Charlton drives to Pinellas to visit the child and attended the child's delinquency hearing in Orlando. 
Kaye Wisdom who always stays after in services to help the VTL clean up and stays 'til VTL Jean is ready to leave. She wants to make sure Jean is safe.
Peggy Burns who helped make a move less traumatic for two children who were sheltered by helping to get them placed with the foster mom who had the boys' two sisters.
Kay Brulo for her extraordinary educational representation of her child.
Cameron Davis for his outstanding communication skills. Thank you.
Leigh and Dawn Freijo for taking on more cases. Thank you both!
Jona Witherspoon who is doing an outstanding job on her cases. Thank you!
Wendy Kelly for her strong representation of a little girl who has now been reunited.
Kerri Shaver for her hard work with her children and the parent on her case.
Bob Hightower for his many travels out of county to visit his children.
Niki Coumbis for her ongoing representation of her child.
Louise Miliotes for always answering the call from her CAM.
DC White for her invaluable assistance to her CAM.
Tina Hohlfeld for taking on yet another case.
 
 

STREET BEAT
GAL Paul Lambis and the Dynamic Foursome






Anniversaries

One Year
McMannis,  Mary
Matt, Diana
Kristenson eeples, Susan
Crab,  Sandra 
Matthews,  Jennifer
Baker, Brittney "Paige"
Bernardo, Suzzette 
Buckley, Ramita 
Caney, Tara
Chambers, Michael
Dodson, Linda 
Fitzpatrick, Tracey
Golliher, Donald
Guarino, Jillmarie
Hanson, Valarie
Jones, Amy Jo
Jozwiak, Erica
Martinjak, Anthony 
Munro, Jennifer
Novis-Levine, Marcie
Schwirtz, Dawn 

Two Years
Pacheco, Cheryl 
Frecker, Carol
Rogers, Kara 
Hardin, Mitchell
Weinkrantz, Mark

Three Years
McClymont, Marcia
P inkstaff, Kandis
Riggins, Kateka 
Weiss, Brittany
Z ubic, Tea
Lueth, Barbara 

FOUR YEARS
Strickland, Christina 
Richards, Lisa 

Five Years
Patricia Ford
McNally, Lori Jean  
Jeans,  Rob 
Seibert, Lois  
Edwards, Karon 
Jones, Esq, Angelica
Landers, Peg
Stone, Lynda
Teed, Jeanenne 
Campbell, Esq, Charis 

Six Years
 Wisdom, Ellakay
Selina Santana
Neumeier, Cynthia 
Allen, Cynthia

Eight Years
Klein-Kendall, Pat 
Rice, Linda 

Nine Years
Bungard, Norm 
Knight, Regina 

Ten Years
Cardinal,  Greg
Davis, Lester 
Lombardozzi, Debra

Eleven Years
Patton-Hauser, Anna 
Welsh, Esq., Kathryn

__________________________

GUARDIAN AD LITEM  CORE COMPETENCIES

kids_jumping_on_hill.jpg

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.

Director's Directions

M ariela Ollsen, Esq. Circuit Director
  
Suzanne Parker ( Pasco Program Manager) and I recently were pleased to attend the  Pasco County Commission meeting  and honor the  Pasco Clerk of Court, Dr. Paula O'Neil, as our 2016 Sixth Circuit Community Advocate  of the Year.   Dr. O'Neil demonstrated her support of our mission and needs, after being approached  with a  request to utilize a Florida statute that permits  jurors to donate their jury service fees to Gal Program/local supporting non profit, or a domestic violence shelter.  She  readily agreed and set up a procedure to accomplish facilitating that.   She also permits the GAL Program to display general recruitment information near the jury room These donations provides a regular source of revenue for children's needs and have funded things like educational needs such as tutoring, backpacks for school and other items to enhance kid's lives. Paula O'Neil exemplifies a true community partner and by using her office to help meet the needs of the children as well as helping the GAL Program mission.


 
I recently had an opportunity to visit the Toymakers of  East Lake Toyshop who provides our GAL offices with the wonderful hand made toy cars, boats, and other various creative toys year round. GAL Mike Bailey introduced us to this talented group many years ago and they have been supplying us with quality hand made toys since then.  Their moto is "making smiles one toy at a time".  At GAL we could not agree more and thank them for the many smiles they have brought to "our kids". 


Sixth Circuit Vital Statistics:
As of  March 2017

 
Children in Dependency   
2618(>) 
Of those without a GAL
862(>)
Case Volunteers
736 (<)
Transportation Approved Volunteers
   250(>)
GAL Best Practices
 * Judicial Reviews: Please maintain a calendar with your court dates and your due dates for Judicial Review. Your Judicial Review report is due to your CAM ten (10) days prior to the Judicial Review Court date. 

 * Children's Records: GALS you may obtain children's records upon presentation of your Court Order and your Notice of Acceptance. If you are obtaining educational records, you will also need to have your driver's license with you.

 * Parent Records: GALS you will need to ask the parent(s) to sign a release in order to procure records for the parents. Once a parent is engaged in Case Plan Tasks, engage with your parent(s) and ask them to sign releases, so you have independent information of how they are doing with their services.
Thank you GALS!

____________________________________

FOR THE CHILDREN



Cooking Matters For Older Teens 
Presented by UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program A SNAP-Ed implementing agency

6 Thursdays starting
April 20, 6-8pm
Kimberly Home: 1189 NE Cleveland St; Clearwater
Youth Ages 14-18 
 Learn how to prepare delicious, healthy, budget friendly recipes. Participate in a competitive cook-off and win a $20 gift card and receive a tote bag with utensils, and a cookbook and cooking guide. 
Questions or to RSVP: Evelien 727-464-6528 

Legislative Update 
(e-mail from Alan Abramowitz, 3/19/2017)
Substantive Law:  
1.)      "Keys to Independence:"  You will recall that in 2014, a pilot program was created to help foster youth obtain driver licenses.  Called "Keys to Independence," the program helps youth with the process of getting a permit, license, or insurance and reimbursed related expenses.  The pilot program, which will soon be permanent when this law passes, to date has enrolled more than 1,200 children and young adults and the number of foster youth with licenses has tripled. Youth report that the program has allowed them to finish high school and obtain GEDs, get jobs and vocational training, stay in the same school after changing placement, live independently, and participate in extra-curricular activities.    This bill has been heard successfully in each legislative committee, and is now ready for a vote by both full chambers.   The bill will be heard this week on both the Senate and House floors.  Senator Aaron Bean, Representative Jennifer Sullivan and Representative Ben Albritton are the sponsors of Senate Bill 60 / House Bill 217. 
2.)     "Justices Best Friend Act:" Around the state, dogs in court are successfully used in a variety of cases.  Stakeholders including judges, prosecutors, and child advocates believe having therapy or facility dogs in court reduces trauma and stress. Victims and witnesses who feel calm and safe are better able to recollect facts. These dogs can reduce traumatization and facilitate the administration of justice. This legislation will reflect current practice, which specifically allows children in dependency proceedings to use dogs in court, identifies adults with intellectual disabilities as a group able to use dogs in court, and adds facility dogs to statute.  Therapy dogs and their teams have been attending each of the committee hearings explaining the importance of this bill and urging its' passage.   In the Senate, the bill is currently in the Rules Committee, and should go to the floor for a full vote soon.  In the House, the bill has passed through each referenced committee, and will be on the House Floor this week.   Senator Bill Montford, Senator Lauren Book and Representative Jason Brodeur are the sponsors of Senate Bill 416 / House Bill 151. 
3.)      "Being a Foster Parent is a Walk in the Park:" This legislative proposal allows all licensed foster parents to have free access to Florida state parks and adoptive parents to have a one-time annual pass to Florida state parks.  In the Senate, this bill has successfully moved to its last committee of reference.  

     Recruitment Corner
Many, many thanks to GAL  Pat McArdl e.  There was an opportunity to have a GAL table at the Generations Church Outreach Expo.  Ordinarily, that is all in a day's work for me.  However, I was scheduled to be out of town that weekend.  Pat was recommended and graciously agreed to man the table at the Expo...which meant she had to be present before and after a total of 4 services on Saturday and Sunday!!  Pat was able to speak to a multitude of people about the Guardian ad Litem program.  And, she secured contact information for 12 people who are interested in learning more about volunteering with the program.  Wow!  Hats off to Pat for accepting this means of advocating in this very special way.

If any other GAL volunteers have large community or church events that GAL can appear at,  contact Larnelle in Pasco,  Larnelle.Scott@gal.fl.gov or Karen in Pinellas,   Karen.Malo@gal.fl.gov 
Thanks,
Larnelle Scott
Pasco Community Outreach Coordinator


  Pinellas GAL of the Month 
Patricia (Abby) Nusbaum


Patricia Nusbaum, better known as Abby, has been active as a volunteer with the Guardian ad Litem Program since June of 2008. During that time she has worked 33 cases, most of them involving more than one child. Abby is now working three full cases with five children and three courtesy cases. And in her spare time, she does assessment visits. There aren't words to describe her dedication to her kids. She fights just as hard for her courtesy cases from other counties as she does for the cases that she has complete responsibility for. She calls parents, visits parents, observes visits with parents, never misses visits with the kids. Abby always has her visit reports to me before the end of the month and her JR reports are always submitted more than a week early. A true measure of how her volunteer work is respected is that when we are assigned a difficult case, the attorneys often ask me if Abby is available. Abby is a wonderful volunteer and a wonderful friend.

  Dianne Bernard, 
Child Advocacy Manager
Pasco GAL of the Month 
Jennifer Goodfield



I am nominating Jennifer Goodfield as GAL for the month as she has gone above and beyond for her cases, as well as always stepping up to help her team and other Guardians.  She has assisted other Guardians with visits, conducted last minute visits and emergency visits on other cases, and continues to inspire other Guardians to work hard for their children. Jennifer has  been a GAL for the past 9 months but has shown how the efforts of one person, one particular person, can truly make a difference in our field. She has pushed continuously for what is in the best interest of the child on her case, and the children she completes visits for to ensure they not only have their needs met but they are able to thrive! It is her efforts as a GAL that have made the lives of several children stable with their extensive medical needs. Her support of foster parents and other GAL's is incredible and I know she will continue to awe us in the future by making a strong positive change in the lives of the children she works with  J

Child Advocacy Manager, Brigette Mauger
 

Poet's Corner

yellow_rumped_flycatcher.jpg


AH SPRING!!!! 
The flowers awaken, the birds are chirping, the sun shines.

 Some raindrops do fall but these are such wonderful signs. 

Spring is upon us and our GALS will always step up to the plate. 

We thank you GALS for your input. You never make us wait! 

GALS are precious and much appreciated no matter the season. 

You are our flowers, our shining sun and you are all the reason, 

Why our dependent children have such excellent representation. 

You work very hard and you carry on regardless of the aggravation!

By Diana Aboussir Child Advocacy Manager

____________________________________

The Abuse, Neglect, Dependency, and Prevention (ANDP) Committee Presents: 2017 Annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference ( sponsored by Eckerd Kids)

Thursday, April 20, 2017 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM The Conmy Center Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church 750A San Salvador Drive Dunedin, FL 34698 727-738-6159 Pre-Registration $20 (by 4/13/17) Late Registration $25 Registration includes: continental breakfast and boxed lunch. Lunch not guaranteed for late registrations
Sandwich Choices: (Please select one) _____ Turkey _____ Ham _____ Vegetarian Date: ______________________ Name: _______________________________ Employer/Agency:______________________ Address:______________________________ City:_____________ State: ___ Zip:________ Telephone:_______________________ Email: ________________________________ Complete and return registration form with check to: EckerdKids Community Alternatives, 8550 Ulmerton Road, #130, Largo, FL 33771, Attention: JoAnn Bohler Payment must accompany registration form. For more information, call: (727) 456-0600, Ext. 2252, or email Jbohler@eckerd.org

SELF CARE
by Karen Malo,
Pinellas Community Outreach Coordinator
stones_balance_beach.jpg
GET OUTSIDE! 
Spring is upon us once  again and reminds us we  can  l ook to nature to  help us with self-care.  I have always been an  outdoor person. As a child  I spent much of my time near
or by the water or in the woods  of upstate New York. My dad  would say to us "You kids need to get outside and blow the stink off of you". Now, I am not sure what exactly he was trying to insinuate with that statement but for as long as I can remember, I have sought solace in the outdoors and maybe that is why. Getting outside does so much to change our perspective on things and this can include our GAL work. 

Often, we may be trying so hard to find a solution or an answer that it is difficult to see the forest for the trees. So during those times when I find myself obsessing over something, anything, if I allow myself even just a 15
minute walk outside I find I can return to the issue at hand with a fresher perspective. First of all breathing fresh air and getting exercise can only help. Beyond that though is just g etting out in nature and realizing I am part of something much larger gives me some peace as I go about whatever task I need to accomplish. Watching a sunset, listening to the waves gently lapping at the shore or watching a bird soar in the sky can help us to renew our energy when we are feeling stuck. No, of course it doesn't solve all of our problems (or the ones of our GAL kids) but it allows us to step aside, take a few deep breaths and focus on what is truly important like: Are the children at least safe? Are they getting the services they need? Do they know you are in their corner? Where would they be if they didn't have a GAL? 

When I worked at the Boys & Girls Club, I made it my personal and professional mission once homework was done every day to get the kids OUTSIDE. Oh they would protest at first saying, "Miss Karen, it's too hot out, too buggy, can't we just stay in the computer lab or in the game room?" After about 15 minutes outside running and jumping around the playground with friends and they had forgotten all about the indoor distractions. Before too long I would hear laughter and watched in amazement the power of nature to transform even some of the most die-hard gamers into ones who actually wanted to be outside(even if they wouldn't admit it). When I worked for the Florida Park Service, I saw similar transformations with middle school students who wouldn't dream of walking down a nature trail where there might be a snake to asking me after their third trip to the park that school year, "when do we get to come back"? Research shows that children who are allowed unstructured time outdoors do better in school and at focusing(especially those diagnosed with ADHD) so why not adults? In this day with technology it seems that we can find answers at our fingertips but when we can't it is time to try a different approach. Maybe the next time you visit your children, you can help them by taking a walk outside with them too thus modeling this coping skill to them as well. If you are interested in learning more about the positive effects that nature can have on children, especially those with any kind of challenge. For more information on this I would encourage you to check out the book "Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv. 

We are so fortunate to live in a place where we can go outside just about anytime we need that little break.  So, the next time you are grappling with something that is frustrating you, I urge you to step outside, take a walk on the beach, at a park or just stroll around your neighborhood and see what it does for you. It certainly can't hurt to try and you just might come back with a solution or idea you had not thought of before just by giving your brain a break and focusing on the many beautiful sight and sounds around you. You might be amazed at what a little fresh air and sunshine can do for your outlook! 
Happy Exploring
Case Manager of the Month
  Honoring Our ECA Case Managers
 
Congratulations and THANK YOU for your work on behalf of dependent children and their families!

Pasco:  
Mark has had to deal with some of the most difficult  crossover teenagers.  He makes sure that they get to their delinquency and dependency hearings.  He goes outside the box to find them placements when the placement agency can find no placement.  The teens call him when they are AWOL and  he makes sure they are safe, even though they will not reveal their location.  He makes sure that services are provided when they are placed in foster care.  He is well ahead of the Judge's thinking because whenever she suggests something, he has already explored it.  Because of his good work, the Judge tends to ask that he gets assigned to difficult cases.  There is a sigh of relief when the Judge finds out that Mark is assigned to a case.  He never lets the Judge down.  The GALs LOVE working with him.
 
Pinellas:
Our ECA Case Manager for the month of March 2017 is Brittany Baker from Lutheran Services.
I nominate Brittany Baker. Brittany is always very courteous and professional both in and outside of court. She knows her cases, works them diligently, and testifies very well. She has some complicated cases  and she works well in a collaborative, team setting.   Brittney is very professional.   She is always sharing information and responding to myself and my volunteers making them feel appreciated too. 






GALP Logo 6th Centered