GUARDIAN AD LITEM LEGISLATIVE BUDGET REQUEST Fiscal Year r 2019 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Jun 17, 2023 283 likes •380 views

GUARDIAN AD LITEM LEGISLATIVE BUDGET REQUEST Fiscal Year r 2019 2019-2020 2020 ADVOCATING FOR CHILDRENS BEST INTERESTS As the childs representative, Guardians ad Litem: Investigate and examine the facts of the case Represent the

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Fiscal Year r 2019

2019-2020 2020

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET REQUEST

AD LITEM GUARDIAN

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Investigate and examine the facts of the case
Represent the child’s best interests
Monitor the progress of the case
Give the child a voice in the proceeding
Make reports and recommendations to the court
Promote permanency for children

Florida Statutes require appointment of a Guardian ad Litem in every dependency proceeding. § 39.822, Florida Statutes.

As the child’s representative, Guardians ad Litem:

ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN’S BEST INTERESTS

GUARDIAN AD LITEM | LBR 2019-2020

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WORKLOAD INCREASE ISSUE

In certain areas of the state, the number of children entering the child welfare system has

increased at an unusually high rate.

For example, over the past several years current numbers show Circuit 5 (Marion County) had a

74% increase of children in out-of-home care and Circuit 13 (Hillsborough County) is up 41%.

Guardian ad Litem is requesting $3,830,146 in recurring general revenue for an

additional 64 FTEs to manage and support Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Child Advocates in circuits where the biggest impacts are occurring.

GUARDIAN AD LITEM | LBR 2019-2020

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Requesting $358,128 recurring and $299,342

non-recurring general revenue (total $657,470) and 3 FTE to implement a program of certification and training for 380 professional child advocate managers.

CERTIFICATION ISSUE

Working with Florida Certification

Board and FSU Child Welfare Institute, Guardian ad Litem will establish quality and ethical standards, competency testing and professional development requirements to parallel those of Department of Children and Families and Community-Based Care case managers.

GUARDIAN AD LITEM | LBR 2019-2020

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VOLUNTEERS’ EXTRAORDINARY TRAVEL EXPENSE ISSUE

19% of abused and neglected children are placed out of

their home circuits and over 36% are placed out of their home counties.

For Volunteer Child Advocates on fixed incomes, travel

costs to visit the children can be a barrier to taking and staying on cases.

A consistent advocate is vital to the child and the court,

particularly in a system with significant turnover, and a child’s guardian ad litem is sometimes the only stable adult in his or her life.

Guardian ad Litem is requesting $331,262 be

reauthorized this year, and as recurring general revenue, to enable the Guardian ad Litem Program to reimburse Volunteer Child Advocates for extraordinary travel expenses incurred in the best interests of children.

GUARDIAN AD LITEM | LBR 2019-2020

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ADDITIONAL LBR REQUESTS

Budget Realignment OPS Attorneys to FTE Align Attorney Benefits with Select Exempt Service Voices for Children Contract Support Pay Adjustments for Field Managers Revenue Neutral $457,617 (recurring) $240,513 (recurring) $150,000 (recurring)

GUARDIAN AD LITEM | LBR 2019-2020

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SCHEDULE VIII B EXERCISE

$4,219,992

10% reduction eliminates 72 FTEs Reduces Guardian ad Litem ability to manage almost 2,000 citizen Volunteer Child Advocates Erodes Guardian ad Litem ability to meet mandate in Florida Statutes that all dependent children be represented by a Guardian ad Litem

GUARDIAN AD LITEM | LBR 2019-2020

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Alan F. Abramowitz, Executive Director Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office 600 S. Calhoun Street The Holland Building (850) 922.7213 GuardianadLitem.org

AD LITEM

Fiscal Year 2019-2020

Legislative Budget Request

GUARDIAN

Guardian ad Litem - Helping Children Reach Their Way Home.