Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem - Circuit 13

03/07/2025

Welcome to our new Guardian ad Litem Volunteers who joined the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office – Circuit 13 in February! With the Guardian ad Litem team, they will represent children in court and their community.

Thank you taking action to make a difference in the life of a child!

If you would like to learn more about making a difference for a child in your community as a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer or mentor, visit www.guardianadlitem.org

03/05/2025

Happy Anniversary to all our Guardian ad Litem Volunteers who joined the office during March! We appreciate all you do.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office please visit www.guardianadlitem.org

03/04/2025

A Story of Hope and Reunification

A teenage girl entered care due to mental health needs that her mother was struggling to meet on her own. Their relationship had become strained, making it difficult for them to connect. Despite the challenges, the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office team never gave up. Understanding the importance of family bonds, they remained steadfast in their support of both mother and daughter, working tirelessly to help them rebuild their relationship.

At times, reunification seemed out of reach. But the Guardian ad Litem team recognized the love between them and believed in their ability to heal. With dedication and advocacy, they helped create a path forward, ensuring the teen could safely return home to the mother who wanted nothing more than to care for her child.

Recently, their hard work paid off—mother and daughter were successfully reunified. Overcome with gratitude, the mother reached out to the team, sharing these heartfelt words:

"I really want to tell you how much I appreciate you. You have been rooting for us since day one, and I love you so much for everything you all have done for us. You are our biggest cheerleader, and I will forever be grateful for you."

Thanks to the unwavering support of the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office, this family is now stronger, together, and ready to move forward with a renewed bond.

To learn more about the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office, visit www.guardianadlitem.org

02/26/2025

Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office mentor, Barbara has mentored two teenage sisters since 2021. Barbara has helped them rebuild trust by offering support and a path towards a better bond, despite living in separate homes and enduring significant childhood trauma.

As the older sister reaches adulthood, Barbara helps her with special needs resources while also supporting the younger sister in her high school graduation.

02/25/2025

We are grateful for our volunteers that step up to mentor youth who are aging out of the foster care system!

Learn more at www.guardianadlitem.org

Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office mentor, Barbara has mentored two teenage sisters since 2021. Barbara has helped them rebuild trust by offering support and a path towards a better bond, despite living in separate homes and enduring significant childhood trauma.

As the older sister reaches adulthood, Barbara helps her with special needs resources while also supporting the younger sister in her high school graduation.

02/20/2025

Recently, Karen Ryan celebrated an incredible milestone—10 years as a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer! Over the past decade, Karen has been a tireless advocate for countless children in Hillsborough County. Karen is a consistent and reliable member of the team, known for her dedication and willingness to take on a high caseload. Karen thrives on making a difference in the lives of children and families. She consistently steps up for the children we represent. On each case, Karen provides detailed and thorough information. Recently, her work was commended by Managing Attorney Alicia Tarrant, saying how vital Karen’s information was to represent the child. Her ability to provide the full history of a case and offer meaningful recommendations is invaluable, helping her children move toward a safe and permanent home. Thank you, Karen, for your dedication and passion over the past 10 years. You are an inspiration to us all!

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

02/14/2025

Happy Valentine's Day!

What could be a better gift of love than to give an abused, abandoned, or neglected child a supportive, positive adult from their community who will be there for them as they navigate toward a better future?

You can make a difference. Join our Florida Guardian ad Litem Office Team and help represent and support abused, abandoned, and neglected children today!

It is simple - All you have to do is take the first step and fill out a volunteer inquiry form and someone from your local Florida Guardian ad Litem Office will reach out to you.

Volunteer inquiry form - https://guardianadlitem.org/volunteer.../volunteer-inquiry/

02/12/2025

Happy Anniversary to all our Guardian ad Litem Volunteers who joined the office during February! We appreciate all you do.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office please visit www.guardianadlitem.org

02/08/2025

Welcome to our new Guardian ad Litem Volunteers who joined the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office – Circuit 13 in January! With the Guardian ad Litem team, they will represent children in court and their community.

Thank you taking action to make a difference in the life of a child!

If you would like to learn more about making a difference for a child in your community as a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer or mentor, visit www.guardianadlitem.org

01/31/2025

🌟 Make a Difference This National Mentoring Month! 🌟

Every teen deserves someone in their corner—someone to guide them, encourage them, and help them build a brighter future. Right now, teens aging out of foster care need mentors like YOU to help them navigate life’s challenges and prepare for independence.

As a mentor with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office, you can be that steady presence, that trusted adult, and that voice of encouragement. No special skills are needed—just a big heart and a willingness to show up.

📢 Sign up today and be the mentor that a teen needs! Learn more at www.guardianadlitem.org

01/31/2025

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Did you know that some children in foster care are survivors of human trafficking? Teens in foster care are also at a higher risk of becoming victims. But you can help. A supportive, consistent adult can reduce their risk and promote healing—and that person could be you.
Become a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer or Mentor and make a difference.
🔹 Learn how to prevent human trafficking: myflfamilies.com/HT
🔹View Florida's Human Trafficking Summit: https://www.humantraffickingsummit.com/
🔹 Get involved with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office: https://guardianadlitem.org/

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Did you know that some children in foster care are survivors of human trafficking? Teens in foster care are also at a higher risk of becoming victims. But you can help. A supportive, consistent adult can reduce their risk and promote healing—and that person could be you.

Become a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer or Mentor and make a difference.

🔹 Learn how to prevent human trafficking: myflfamilies.com/HT

🔹View Florida's Human Trafficking Summit: https://www.humantraffickingsummit.com/

🔹 Get involved with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office: https://guardianadlitem.org/

01/28/2025

Happy Anniversary to all our Guardian ad Litem Volunteers who joined the office during January! We appreciate all you do.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office please visit www.guardianadlitem.org

01/24/2025

🎉 Congratulations to the Guardian ad Litem pro bono attorneys honored at the Florida Supreme Court for The Florida Bar Pro Bono Service Awards!

Each year, the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar celebrate attorneys who go above and beyond to provide pro bono services to Floridians in need.

This year, several honorees were recognized for their exceptional contributions through the Guardian ad Litem Office, advocating for abused, abandoned, and neglected children our Executive Director Dennis Moore was there to congratulate them!

🌟 Jennifer Little and Jana McConnaughhay were honored for their work as Guardian ad Litem Volunteers, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to represent and advocate for children in Dependency trial court.

🌟 Christy Pemberton was recognized for her dedication to Defending Best Interests, where she works with the appellate team to write briefs and represent children during the appeals process.

🌟 Nicholas Shannin also contributes to Defending Best Interests, providing critical legal support.

🌟 Thomas Zehnder, recipient of the prestigious Tobias Simon Award, is a longtime pro bono Guardian ad Litem Attorney with the Orange County Bar Legal Aid Society.

These incredible attorneys exemplify the profound impact of pro bono work, especially in the lives of the children we serve. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to them and encourage all attorneys to follow their inspiring example.

📢 Interested in making a difference? Learn more about pro bono opportunities with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office: www.guardianadlitem.org

🎉 Congratulations to the Guardian ad Litem pro bono attorneys honored at the Florida Supreme Court for The Florida Bar Pro Bono Service Awards!

Each year, the Florida Supreme Court and The Florida Bar celebrate attorneys who go above and beyond to provide pro bono services to Floridians in need.

This year, several honorees were recognized for their exceptional contributions through the Guardian ad Litem Office, advocating for abused, abandoned, and neglected children. Our Executive Director, Dennis Moore, was there to congratulate them!

🌟 Jennifer Little and Jana McConnaughhay were honored for their work as Guardian ad Litem Volunteers, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to represent and advocate for children in Dependency trial court.

🌟 Christy Pemberton was recognized for her dedication to Defending Best Interests, where she works with the appellate team to write briefs and represent children during the appeals process.

🌟 Nicholas Shannin also contributes to Defending Best Interests, providing critical legal support.

🌟 Thomas Zehnder, recipient of the prestigious Tobias Simon Award, is a longtime pro bono Guardian ad Litem Attorney with the Orange County Bar Legal Aid Society.

These incredible attorneys exemplify the profound impact of pro bono work, especially in the lives of the children we serve. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to them and encourage all attorneys to follow their inspiring example.

📢 Interested in making a difference? Learn more about pro bono opportunities with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office: www.guardianadlitem.org

01/23/2025

Bi-lingual volunteers are needed across the state. Learn more at www.guardianadlitem.org

01/20/2025

As we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let us honor the legacy of Dr. King by volunteering! We are grateful to those who have answered that call!

01/14/2025

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office is hiring for a Volunteer Recruiter position in Circuit 13 – Hillsborough County.
We are a state agency that 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, a child welfare professional, and hopefully a trained volunteer or pro bono attorney from the child’s community, our team provides high-quality, independent legal representation for abused, neglected, and abandoned children with one goal: that every child finds a safe, loving, permanent home where they can thrive.
Guardians ad Litem become people our most vulnerable children can trust.
Benefits of working for the Guardian ad Litem Office:
• State of Florida Retirement package – Pension or investment plan (3% employee contribution required)
• State group insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
• Flexible spending account
• Nine paid state holidays each calendar year
• One paid personal holiday each fiscal year
• 13 paid sick leave days accrued within the calendar year
• 13 paid annual leave days accrued within the calendar year with an increase after five years
• Life insurance of $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions. Employees may purchase additional coverage
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• State tuition waivers
Current Volunteer Recruiter Position: https://jobs.myflorida.com/.../TAMPA-GUARDIAN.../1232888000/

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office is hiring for a Volunteer Recruiter position in Circuit 13 – Hillsborough County.

We are a state agency that 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, a child welfare professional, and hopefully a trained volunteer or pro bono attorney from the child’s community, our team provides high-quality, independent legal representation for abused, neglected, and abandoned children with one goal: that every child finds a safe, loving, permanent home where they can thrive.

Guardians ad Litem become people our most vulnerable children can trust.

Benefits of working for the Guardian ad Litem Office:
• State of Florida Retirement package – Pension or investment plan (3% employee contribution required)
• State group insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
• Flexible spending account
• Nine paid state holidays each calendar year
• One paid personal holiday each fiscal year
• 13 paid sick leave days accrued within the calendar year
• 13 paid annual leave days accrued within the calendar year with an increase after five years
• Life insurance of $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions. Employees may purchase additional coverage
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• State tuition waivers
Current Volunteer Recruiter Position: https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/TAMPA-GUARDIAN-AD-LITEM-OFFICE%2C-13TH-CIRCUIT-VOLUNTEER-RECRUITER-21015558-FL-33602/1232888000/

01/14/2025

We hope you are having a fantastic start to the new year!
As we embrace new beginnings, it’s a great time to reflect on our goals and think about how we can make a meaningful impact in our communities.

That's why we're dedicated to helping the most vulnerable children in our state. With your support, we can make a real positive difference in their lives. Let’s work together to create a brighter future for those who need it most. Here’s to new opportunities and making a change!

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation is a direct-support organization and nonprofit corporation. The Foundation supports the mission of the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office, whose mission is 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.

Make a donation by visiting: FLGAL.org/donate-to-the-florida-guardian-ad-litem-foundation/

01/01/2025