Donations

Child Advocates II is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization that helps children in need. Child Advocates II was established to support the Guardian ad Litem Program (GAL).

To make a donation please click the donate now button below:

Child Advocates II, Inc.
PO Box 3992, Tallahassee, FL 32315
Phone: 850-445-9604 www.childadvocatesbigbend.org

The mission of Child Advocates II, Inc., is to raise funds to ensure that every abused and neglected child in the Big Bend area has a court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem volunteer and financial assistance and other resources available to assist with their health, educational, and social needs.

Thank you!

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Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program

Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program

Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla

 

The mission of the State of Florida Guardian Ad Litem Program (GAL) is to advocate for the best interests of children who are alleged to be abused, neglected or abandoned and who are involved in court proceedings.

 

What is a Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)?

Guardians ad Litem are citizens who volunteer to become part of a court program to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children who are the subject of court proceedings. The Guardian ad Litem is a representative for the child before the court, social service agencies and the community. Guardians ad Litem are trained and supervised by program staff. The age of the children range form 0-18 years old. The average amount of time spent is 4-6 hours a month, depending on the case.

 

Who can be a Guardian ad Litem?

Any person who has common sense, good judgment and good character, who CARES and is able to give TIME to help a child. The certification process includes completing a written application, background screening, reference checks, personal interview and 30 hours of training to include courtroom observation.

Guardians ad Litem assume the following responsibilities:

  • Visit the child regularly (minimum of every 30 days)
  • Gathering information by interviewing the child or children and others who have information about the child and the child's circumstances
  • Recommending appropriate medical, education, social, and psychological services for the child
  • Making recommendations as to the most appropriate placement for the child
  • Monitoring the agencies and individuals providing services and caring for the child
  • Appearing in court to make recommendations and informing the judge of relevant facts about the case
  • Providing written reports to the judge, including the wishes of the child
  • Safeguarding children's rights to a safe permanent home in a timely manner

Interested?  Call 850-606-1200 or download an application today. 
 
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When you volunteer with the Guardian ad Litem Program, you become a voice for a child.

This year Chief Justice Peggy Quince is at the forefront of an initiative to recruit attorneys as guardians ad litem by calling on members of The Florida Bar to represent children. Chief Justice Quince identified the needs of children in dependency court as one of the priorities of her two-year term as Chief Justice. Chief Justice Quince is putting particular emphasis on the Program's Fostering Independence Program, which serves teenagers.

Fostering Independence is a targeted recruitment effort to get attorneys to work pro bono as part of the GAL team. When an attorney agrees to represent a teen, either as a guardian or as a pro bono attorney, the Program provides training, which can be viewed from our website. Additionally, our staff is always available to help with the myriad of issues affecting teens, for example; barriers to permanency for this age group, aging out of foster care without adequate support and appropriate housing, and lack of independent living services.

Other pro bono opportunities with the GAL Program include assisting the GAL Program using your area of expertise, including special education, probate, guardianship, appeals, or immigration.

Thank you for considering using your legal abilities to help a child by volunteering. When you volunteer with the Guardian ad Litem Program, you become a voice for a child.
Last Updated on Saturday, 23 January 2010 19:11
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Child Advocates II, Inc., helps children in need…

Child Advocates II, Inc., (CAII) is a charitable, not for profit, volunteer group which supports abused, abandoned and neglected children in Leon, Franklin, Gadsden, Wakulla, Jefferson and Liberty Counties.

Through fundraising programs, memberships, donations and special events, CAII provides dollars and services for children whose needs cannot be met through existing agencies.

Without this help items such as clothing, medical bills, dental bills and other needs would continue to be unfulfilled. By reaching out to these kids, we can all make a big difference in the quality of their lives.

Our General Needs Fund provides the basic necessities of food, housing, clothing and medical/dental care, and holiday gifts.

Our Legal Services Fund provides litigation services for children in the Guardian Ad Litem Program (GAL).

 

Our Summer Camp Fund provides school-aged children with the opportunity to be a kid and learn to swim, sail, kayak and participate in various activities they would otherwise not have the opportunity to do.
Last Updated on Saturday, 23 January 2010 17:40
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