• 30 people are interested
 

We're Looking For A Few Good Men! (Volunteer Child Advocate)

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ORGANIZATION: Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office | Circuit Eighteen Seminole County

  • 30 people are interested

Men-can you help a child have a voice in court?

Guardian ad Litem is a unique public-private partnership which trains and supports volunteer advocates (known as a Guardians ad Litem) to speak up for the best interests of abused and neglected children. A Guardian ad Litem is trained to work within the child welfare and family court systems and are appointed by judges to individual cases. With the help of a Guardian ad Litem volunteer, a child is half as likely to languish in foster care, and that much more likely to find a safe and permanent home.

We do our best to match volunteers with cases that fit their skills and interests, and want to add more men to our volunteer roster. Do you work well with younger kids? One-third of our cases involve these most vulnerable children. Do you speak teenager? Then help us reach older youth! Do you have a background in the medical field? We need people with your experience to help untangle years of untreated symptoms. What about education? Help us ensure that each child has the tools s/he needs to become a successful adult. Use what you know--and love--to serve kids who so desperately need someone to fight for them.

This is one of few opportunities where a single, caring person can make a real difference in the life of a vulnerable child. Every child deserves the right to thrive, the right to be treated with dignity, and to live in a safe, loving home. Become a Guardian ad Litem volunteer to ensure that every child gets a fighting chance!

Guardians ad Litem devote, on average, 8-12 hours a month to their case. While much of their work can be scheduled at the Guardian's convenience (like meeting with the child or obtaining records), volunteers do need to have occasional daytime availability for court appearances. These court appearances are scheduled well in advance and usually occur on Monday or Tuesday afternoons.

In order to qualify as a Guardian ad Litem volunteer, applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a background clear of felony charges, domestic violence convictions, or any history of child endangerment.

Guardians ad Litem complete 30 hours of pre-service training and are supported by a dedicated staff, including case coordinators and program lawyers.

Guardians ad Litem come from all walks of life but have a few things in common: good judgment, determination, an inquisitive mind, and a heart for children and youth in need. If that's you, we'd love to talk!

If you'd like to submit an online volunteer application, type this link in your browser:

https://fl-18th.evintosolutions.com/VolunteerApplication

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About Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office | Circuit Eighteen Seminole County

Location:

190 Eslinger Way, Juvenile Justice Center, Sanford, FL 32773, US

Mission Statement

To provide the most vulnerable children in Florida with an adult from their community who will be a consistent, positive presence in the child’s life as part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes an attorney, child welfare professional and hopefully a community volunteer providing the highest quality community advocacy and legal representation to protect each child’s legal interests. To provide dependency judges with thorough and accurate information regarding the children under the court’s jurisdiction.

Description

The Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office represents abused, abandoned and neglected children in court and the community. Through the collaboration of a multi-disciplinary team that always includes a Guardian ad Litem Attorney, child welfare professional, and hopefully a trained volunteer or pro bono attorney from the child’s community, our team provides quality, independent legal representation for abused, neglected, and abandoned children while assisting the child in expressing their needs and wishes. Our unique approach allows us to support the whole child, addressing their physical, educational, mental, emotional, social, and legal needs.

Every child appointed to the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is assigned a Guardian ad Litem Attorney. The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is a Guardianship type of legal representation. In Florida, we recognize that children cannot make decisions for themselves that involve their health and safety. Guardians ad Litem must provide all information to the judge about the child and advocate for what is in the child’s best interest.

CAUSE AREAS

Children & Youth
Community
Justice & Legal
Children & Youth, Community, Justice & Legal

WHEN

We'll work with your schedule.

WHERE

190 Eslinger WayJuvenile Justice CenterSanford, FL 32773

(28.748688,-81.29704)
 

SKILLS

  • People Skills
  • Basic Computer Skills
  • Child Welfare
  • Verbal / Written Communication
  • Mentoring
  • Child Advocacy

GOOD FOR

  • People 55+

REQUIREMENTS

  • Driver's License Needed
  • Background Check
  • Must be at least 21
  • Orientation or Training
  • flexible/varies; typically 12-15 hours per month

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