Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office - Circuit Ten

06/05/2026

05/18/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Often, children who are abused, neglected, or abandoned face significant hurdles, including mental health challenges. Consistent, caring adults in their lives help them know they are not alone and support access to the services they need to promote healing.

It is a time to focus on providing education and supporting those with mental health conditions. One of the most important tools is connection—connection to resources, to community, and to a network of support.

To learn how you can make a difference in the life of an abused, abandoned, or neglected child, visit www.guardianadlitem.org.

05/15/2026

April was National Volunteer Month!

We celebrated with a picnic in Polk County to honor our valued volunteers who work tirelessly to help represent and support our children. Staff enjoyed a cookout with our volunteers and Circuit Director Mark Nixon, who led BINGO and personally thanked everyone for their dedicated service to the children we represent.

Thank you to the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation for sponsoring the event!

Every child needs a positive, supportive adult to help them succeed. You can join our team and be that person! To learn more, go to www.guardianadlitem.org today.

05/13/2026

May is Foster Care Awareness Month.

Every day, children across Florida who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect rely on caring adults to help support them through difficult circumstances. Foster families play an important role in providing stability and a safe place during this time.

Child welfare involves many individuals and organizations, each with a distinct role in the process. Throughout it, the focus remains on helping children navigate challenging circumstances and move toward safe, stable, and permanent outcomes.

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office extends its gratitude to those who step forward to support children in care and remains committed to representing their legal interests both in court and in the community.

To learn more about how you can help, visit: http://www.guardianadlitem.org

05/08/2026

Wishing a Happy Mother's Day from the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office!

You can give a child hope and make a difference. Learn how at www.guardianadlitem.org.

05/06/2026

April was Volunteer Appreciation month. This year we hosted an volunteer appreciation event for our wonderful Hardee and Highlands County volunteers who work tirelessly to help represent and support our children.

Volunteers enjoyed lunch with our Circuit Director Mark Nixon and other staff members. Mark personally thanked the volunteers for all they do to help represent local abused, abandoned, and neglected children. It was a time of celebration and connection. We even played some Bingo.

We want to thank the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation for sponsoring this wonderful event.

If you have a heart to help, we have a place for you to make a lifelong impact on a child’s life. To learn more about joining our team, go to www.guardianadlitem.org today.

05/01/2026

Recently, the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office had the pleasure of attending the Sebring Soda Festival, serving a taste of a variety of provided sodas while sharing about what we do and opportunities to help children in their community.

Volunteers work alongside our team consisting of an attorney and a child welfare professional to represent and support abused and neglected children in our community, including mentoring teens aging out of the system.

Many thanks to the Sebring Chamber of Commerce for hosting wonderful family event.

To learn more about how you can get involved in helping vulnerable children in your community, go to www.guardianadlitem.org to learn more

04/30/2026

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Throughout the month, pinwheel gardens have appeared across our communities. These pinwheels serve as a visible reminder of our shared commitment to strengthening families and creating safe, healthy environments where children can thrive. They are symbols of hope.

Each day, the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office works to support, advocate for and represent the legal interests of children who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Children with Guardians ad Litem are less likely to re-enter the child welfare system and more likely to achieve a safe, permanent home.

While April is coming to a close, our commitment does not end. The work to support children and strengthen communities continues every day.

To learn how you can make a difference, visit www.guardianadlitem.org.

04/30/2026

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

We can all make a difference and help support stronger families and communities.

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office works to help children find safe, stable homes where they thrive. Community members can work alongside our multi-disciplinary team to help represent our most vulnerable children. Together, we can help them thrive.

To learn how you can get involved, go to www.guardianadlitem.org today!

04/24/2026

One person can truly change the course of a child’s life. Just ask Judy Boll, a dedicated Guardian ad Litem Volunteer.

Judy has served as a volunteer since 2018. Eight years ago, she joined a Guardian ad Litem team assigned to a newborn who had been abandoned and faced significant medical and developmental challenges. At the time, there were serious concerns about whether he would survive his first year.

Judy remained committed. She worked alongside her team, child welfare partners, and service providers to ensure his needs were met. She gathered medical information, participated in care discussions, and stayed focused on what would give him the best chance at a stable future. She also remained steadfast in the effort to help him find a permanent home.

That commitment made a difference. The child recently celebrated his eighth birthday — and just weeks later, was adopted by his forever family. Today, he is thriving, attending school, and enjoying activities like bowling. Judy’s dedication helped change the trajectory of his life.

During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we recognize and thank the thousands of volunteers across Florida who give their time to support children in need.

Thank you, Judy, for your compassion, commitment, and for making a lasting difference in this child’s life!

To learn how you can make a difference, visit www.guardianadlitem.org.