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Posts

• Protected: Image
• Protected: Standards of Operation
• K.S. v. Depart. of Children and Families, 136 So.3d 1289 (Fla. 1st DCA 2014)
• G.H. v. Department of Children and Families, 145 So.3d 884 (Fla. 1st DCA 2014)
• In the Interest of A.R., 2014 WL 3537020 (Fla. 2nd DCA)
• In the Interest of J.S., 2014 WL 3674049 (Fla. 2nd DCA)
• H.C. v. Department of Children and Family Services and Guardian ad Litem Program, 141 So.3d 243 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014)
• Department of Children and Families v. H.M.R., 2014 WL 2893281 (Fla. 5th DCA)
• M.G. v. Department of Children and Families, 2014 WL 2968818 (Fla. 5th DCA)
• In the Interest of I.B., 2014 WL 3375933 (Fla. 5th DCA)
• J.O. v. Department of Children and Families, 2014 WL 3534231 (Fla. 5th DCA)
• J.H. v. Department of Children and Families, 2014 WL 3559381 (Fla. 5th DCA)
• H.C. v. Department of Children and Families, 2014 WL 3805524 (Fla. 5th DCA)
• S.B. v. Department of Children and Families, 132 So.3d 1243 (Fla. 1st DCA 2014)
• In re A.K., 2014 WL 1696142(Fla. 2d DCA)
• In re S.M.,136 So.3d 1271 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014)
• In re A.P., 135 So.3d 541 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014)
• A.C. v. Department of Children and Family Services and Guardian ad Litem Program,136 So.3d 720 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014)
• In re J.B.,130 So.3d 753 (Fla. 2d DCA 2014)
• D.C. v. J.M., 133 So.3d 1080 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014)
• A.D. v. Department of Children and Families, 2013 WL 3742775 (Fla. 3d DCA)
• R.L.R. v. State, 116 So.3d 570 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014)
• D.A. v. Department of Children and Families, 132 So.3d 358 (Fla. 4th DCA 2014)
• T.N.L. v. Department of Children and Families, 2014 WL 223001 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• In re Adoption of D.P.P., 2014 WL 2109130 (Fla. 5th DCA)
• Department of Children and Families v. T.W., 124 So.3d 411 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013)
• Chew v. Roberts, 122 So.3d 493 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013)
• A.J. v. Department of Children and Families, 111 So.3d 980 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013)
• Carol McNally Presented with Honorary Guardian ad Litem Award
• State Office Delivers Christmas Gifts
• Protected: ADA Policy and Documents
• Protected: Standards of Operation
• Protected: File Managment
• Protected: Purchasing Card Guidelines
• Protected: Guardian ad Litem Program Wireless Device Policy 21-03-002
• GAL Program Grant Reporting and Accounting Policy 21-02-12
• Protected: Human Resources for Managers
• Protected: Acknowledgement of Receipt of Discipline Policy
• Protected: Employee Performance Review 21-02-009
• Protected: Performance Improvement Plan Format
• Protected: Whistle Blower Anti Fraud Policy 21-02-015
• Protected: Positive Discipline 21-02-008
• Protected: GAL Logos JPEG
• Protected: Records Retention Schedule
• Protected: Transporation Policy and Supporting Documents
• Protected: Background Screening Policy
• Protected: State Office Contact List 9.2014
• Protected: Recruiter Contact List 2013
• Protected: Out of Circuit Contact List
• Protected: Circuit Director Contact List with Cellphone Numbers
• Protected: Supervising Attorney Contact List
• Protected: Volunteer Certfication and Employee Hire Policy and Procedures 21.02.13
• Protected: Telecommuniting Program 21.02.001
• Protected: Non- Standard Work Schedules 21.02.002
• Protected: Computer Security 21.02.003
• Protected: Use of Information Technology Resources 21.02.004
• Protected: Use of Electronic Mail and the Internet 21.02.005
• Protected: Use of Copy and Fax Machines 21.02.007
• Protected: Positive Discipline: Employee Misconduct 21.02.008
• Employee Perfomance Review 21.02.009
• Protected: Equal Employment and Affirmative Action Policy 21.02.010
• Protected: Employee Awards and Recognition Program 21.02.011
• Protected: Conflict Of Interest / Additional Employment Outside Of State Government 21.02.12
• Protected: Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office Policy Against Fraudulent, Unethical, and Other Dishonest Acts 21.02.015
• Protected: Employee Handbook
• Protected: Attorney Checklists
• Protected: State of Florida Employee Assistance Program Website
• Protected: Attorney Training Materials – Power Point
• Protected: GAL Mentor Training
• Protected: If You Change the Way You Look at it
• M.A.C. v. Florida Dept. of Children and Families, 73 So.3d 327 (Fla. 1st DCA 2011)
• In re G.M., 73 So.3d 320 (Fla. 2d DCA 2011)
• In re G.M., Jr., 71 So.3d 924 (Fla. 2d DCA 2011)
• S.S. v. Department of Children and Families, 75 So. 3d 818 (Fla. 5th DCA 2011)
• R.A. v. Department of Children and Families, 83 So.3d 841 (Fla. 5th DCA 2011)
• Protected: Florida Retirement System Regarding Retirement Beneficiaries for Legal Spouses
• January 2015 Legal Briefs Newsletter
• J.B. v. Department of Children and Families, 2014 WL 4976981 (Fla. 1st DCA)
• A.H. v. Department of Children and Families, 144 So. 3d 662 (Fla. 1st DCA 2014)
• Department of Children and Families v. C.T., 144 So. 3d 684 (Fla. 1st DCA 2014)
• In re A.W.J., 143 So. 3d 1109 (Fla. 2nd DCA 2014)
• R.C. v. Department of Children and Family Services, 2014 WL 6679008 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• A.F. v. Department of Children and Families, 2014 WL 5151623 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• R.W. v. Department of Children and Families, 147 So.3d 631 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2014)
• A.A. v. Department of Children and Families, 147 So.3d 621 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2014)
• E.R. v. Department of Children and Families, 143 So. 3rd 1131 (Fla. 4th DCA 2014)
• E.H. v. Department of Children and Families, 147 So.3d 616 (Fla. 4th DCA 2014)
• V.C.B. v. Shakir, 145 So.3d 967 (Fla. 4th DCA 2014)
• L.P. v. Department of Children and Families, 148 So.3d 832 (Fla. 5th DCA 2014)
• C.B. v. Department of Children and Families, 148 So.3d 833 (Fla. 5th DCA 2014)
• In re: The Adoption of K.A.G., 2014 WL 7331269 (Fla. 5th DCA)
• H.C. v. Department of Children and Families, 2014 WL 3805524 (Fla. 5th DCA)
• J.L. v. Department of Children and Families, 143 So. 3rd 1158 (Fla. 5th DCA 2014)
• R.L. v. W.G., 147 So.3d 1054 (Fla. 5th DCA 2014)
• R.M.L. v. Department of Children and Families, 147 So.3d 1108 (Fla. 5th DCA 2014)
• The Akerman Law Firm is the recipient of the 2015 Chief Justice’s Law Firm Commendation Award
• Visit the Statewide GAL Office’s New and Improved Website
• Call for Proposals 2015 GAL Disabilities Training Conference
• 2015 Standards
• Every Child’s Eyes
• Thank you Governor Scott for Supporting GAL Budget
• Guardians for Foster Children
• Seminole County GAL Volunteer Recognized
• Florida GAL Program 35 Year Anniversary: Imagining the Future
• JUDGE GLADSTONE RECEIVES THE PRESTIGIOUS CHILES ADVOCACY AWARD AT THIS YEARS CHILDREN’S WEEK IN TALLAHASSEE
• Ethical Issues for Guardian ad Litem Attorneys has now been approved for CLE Credit
• Governor Rick Scott Signs Regis Little Act to Protect Children
• State v. T.S., 155 So.3d 476 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015)
• C.D. v. Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 848157 (Fla. 1st DCA)
• J.A.I. v. B.R., 2015 WL 404001 (Fla. 2d DCA)
• Department of Children and Families v. J.B., 154 So.3d 479 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2015)
• Department of Children and Families v. S.B., 2015 WL 674941 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• D.S-B., Department of Children and Families,155 So.3d 451 (Fla. 4th DCA 2015)
• Department of Children and Families v. T.S., 154 So.3d 1223 (Fla. 4th DCA 2015)
• M.P. v. Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 1044156 (Fla 4th DCA)
• Update – GAL Legislative Budget June 15,2015
• June 2015 Legal Briefs Newsletter
• W.W. v. Department of Children and Families, 159 So.3d 999 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015)
• C.D. v. Department of Children and Families, 164 So. 3d 40 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015)
• In re YV., 2015 WL 1578561 (Fla. 1st DCA)
• In re R.T., 2015 WL 1259666 (Fla. 2d DCA)
• M.P. v. Department of Children and Families, 159 So.3d 341 (Fla. 4th DCA 2015)
• A.S. v. Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 1448507 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• M.N., Jr. v. Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 1545230 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• B.K. v Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 1652761 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• D.S. v. Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 1810315 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• Helping Babies from the Bench – Using The Science of Early Childhood Development in Court
• 2015 Florida Guardian ad Litem Disabilities Training Conference – Imagining the Future Videos are Posted!
• Announcing the Launch of the GAL Foundation Website
• Technical assistance issued regarding civil rights of parents and prospective parents with disabilites
• Learn More About Supported Decision Making
• The Women’s Council of Realtors Florida State Chapter donates over “851” new suitcases to the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation
• M.M. v. Department of Children and Family Services, 2015 WL 4077501 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• S.V. v. Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 4095258 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• In re K.B.L.V., 176 So. 3d 279 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2015)
• In re B.Y.G.M., 176 So. 3d 290 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2015)
• O.I.C.L. v. Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 4461164 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program v. A.A., 2015 WL 4510417 (Fla. 5th DCA)
• State Representative Janet Adkins Named Honorary Guardian ad Litem by the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program
• Psychotropic Medication Training (September 2015)
• A Series of Special Education Training Videos Available on the GAL website
• Remembering Judge Gladstone
• Legislative Initiatives of the GAL Program – A Letter from the Executive Director
• FSU Professor Paolo Annino Honored as an Honorary Guardian ad Litem
• Hanging of the Hands Presented by Florida Guardian ad Litem Program
• October 2015 Legal Briefs Newsletter
• An Interview Ashley Rhodes-Courter
• J.C. v. Department of Children and Families, 172 So.3d 515 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2015)
• Florida Department of Children and Families v. N.H., 2015 WL 5132689 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• R.T. v. Florida Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 5139483 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• Florida Department of Children and Families v. N.M., 2015 WL 5614852 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• W.L. v. Department of Children and Families, 172 So.3d 562 (Fla 4th DCA 2015)
• A.D. v. Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 5163712 (Fla. 5th DCA)
• Lorraine Donovan-Lepanto Awarded GAL Leadership Award
• The Child’s Best Hope Act – Committee Passes Bill Unanimously
• Dr. Phil Explains How You Can Help a Child in Need by Becoming a GAL Volunteer
• A Thanksgiving Note from Alan Abramowitz, Executive Director of the GAL Program
• GAL Program in Broward discusses what “I am for the Child” means to them
• Norm is Jumping out of an Airplane for Florida’s GAL Program!
• Amy Erven Presented with the Angela Orkin Dedication Award
• Akerman & Kappa Alpha Theta from UCF donate over 300 Gifts for kids in the 18th Circuit
• New 6 hour training posted on Transitioning Youth with Developmental Disabilities
• In re E.D., 2015 WL 9487592 (Fla. 2d DCA)
• T.B. v. Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 6496316 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• C.S. v. Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 7007794 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• Tluzek v. Tluzek, 2015 WL 7017418 (Fla. 5th DCA)
• 2016 A Voice Heard: Visualizing a Hopeful Future Annual Report
• Update on “Child’s Best Hope Act”
• Note from Alan Abramowitz – First Day of 2016 Legislative Session
• Update: Child’s Best Hope Act
• Now Accepting Workshop Proposals : 2016 GAL Disabilities Training Conference
• Guardian ad Litem Legislative Session Update (Week 3)
• Toni Latortue Has Been Selected as the Circuit Director in the 12th Circuit
• Volunteer of the Year – Randy Olson
• GAL Program Partners in “Hanging of Hands”
• The Nancy C. Detert Children’s Champion Award Presented to Senator Detert at Children’s Week
• Medicaid Training Posted
• Child’s Best Hope Act – Update
• GAL Volunteers Needed in Manatee County
• Florida GAL Appointments to National CASA Legal and Advocacy Committee
• Legislative Update
• Proposals Due Friday! Submit Your Workshop Proposal for the Disabilities Conference Today!
• Legislative Update – Budget
• Preventing Another “Phoebe” Tragedy – Letter from a GAL
• Legislative Update – Budget Conference
• February 2016 Legal Briefs Newsletter
• Representative Ben Albritton Champion for Children in Foster Care
• GAL Volunteer Gale Spires Honored with the Champion of Service Award
• Deborah Moore appointed to the National CASA Suburban Leadership Council
• Registration Now Open for GAL Conference
• Legislative Update
• Great News for Child Best Hope Advocates
• Broadway’s Spring Awakening at the GAL Disabilities Training Conference
• Tibet is Coming to the GAL Disabilities Conference
• Thank You Judge Layne Smith
• Register Now for the Florida GAL Disabilities Training Conference!
• Department of Children and Families v. B.C., 2016 WL 635072 (Fla. 1st DCA)
• J.P. v. Florida Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 167394 (Fla. 1st DCA)
• In re A.W., 2015 WL 9258506 (Fla. 2nd DCA)
• In re E.D., 2015 WL 9487592 (Fla. 2nd DCA)
• In re B.F., 2016 WL 166669 (Fla. 2nd DCA)
• In re S.M., 2016 WL 275273 (Fla. 2nd DCA)
• N.B. v. Department of Children and Families, 41 Fla. L. Weekly D168 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2016)
• In re B.R.C.M., 2015 WL 9584743 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• S.F.A.C. v. Department of Children and Families, 2015 WL 9584395 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• In re E.P.N., 180 So.3d 249 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2015)
• In re S.A.R.D., 182 So.3d 897 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2016)
• Department of Children and Families v. J.S.,2016 WL 145866 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• Governor Scott Signs the Child’s Best Hope Law – Supportive Words from the Advocacy Community
• Have You Registered for the GAL Disabilities Training Conference?
• Protected: test volunteer post
• Legislative Updates
• GAL Participating in Florida Annual Pinwheels for Prevention of Child Abuse Launch
• Governor Rick Scott Appoints Four to Children and Youth Cabinet
• Governor Rick Scott’s Personal Letter to GAL Volunteers “Thank you for your service”
• Registration Still Open for the GAL Disabilities Training Conference
• Honorary Guardians ad Litem – Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and Dorothy Bradshaw
• Sarah Bujold selected for the UM School of Law Stuart A. Markus Award
• Photos from the GAL Disabilities Training Conference
• Read the Latest Legal Briefs Newsletter
• 2016 Florida GAL Dependency Practice Manual Now Available
• Department of Children and Families v. S.A.E., 184 So.3rd 615 (Fla. 1st DCA 2016)
• Department of Children and Families v. B.C., 2016 WL 635072 (Fla. 1st DCA)
• Department of Children and Families v. Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program, 2016 WL 869317 (Fla. 1st DCA)
• M.C. v. Department of Children and Families, 2016 WL 717694 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• R.W. v. Department of Children and Families, 2016 WL 1239878 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• Guardian ad Litem Program v. M.H., 184 So.3d 1253 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016)
• D.V. v. Department of Children and Families, 2016 WL 805306 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• R.J. v. Florida Department of Children and Families, 2016 WL 1039178 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• Optima Links by Circuit
• Kathryn Hochmuth Receives the GAL Impact Award – Named in Honor of Akerman LLP
• 3rd Circuit GAL Program
• 2016 Disabilities Conference Videos Available for CLE Credit on the GAL Website
• June 2016 Legal Briefs Newsletter
• In re Le.H., 2016 WL 3001283 (Fla. 2nd DCA)
• B.J. v. Department of Children and Families, 2016 WL 1578492 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• F.G. v. Department of Children and Families, 2016 WL 3178527 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• E.G. v. Department of Children and Families, 2016 WL 2731654 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• M.D. v. State, 187 So.3d 1275 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016)
• B.G. v. Department of Children and Families, 189 So.3d 305 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016)
• B.B.S. v. Rodriguez-Murguia, 2016 WL 2744994 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• S.M. v. Department of Children and Families, 188 So.3d 982 (Fla. 5th DCA 2016)
• Poem from a Sixth Circuit Volunteer
• Register for the Gainesville Regional Volunteer Conference
• August Legal Briefs Newsletter
• Florida Supreme Court Has Issued a New Opinion on the Scope of Least Restrictive Means
• Florida Guardian ad Litem Program Child Advocate Manager, Michael Harris Selected as a 2016 Angels in Adoption Honoree
• Register for the Fort Lauderdale and Fort Pierce Regional Volunteer Conferences
• St. Petersburg’s Linda Zolper Wins Statewide Award from Guardian ad Litem Program for Advocacy for Children
• Hanging of the Hands Presented by Florida Guardian ad Litem Program
• Don’t Forget to Register for the Fort Pierce Regional Volunteer Conference!
• Registration Date Extended for Fort Pierce Volunteer Conference!
• Participate in the Princess Place Preserve Run to Support the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation
• Great News in the First Circuit!
• I Could Not Say it Better than GAL Volunteer Alaina Machado.
• Announcement of Attorney Awards for Excellence in Advocacy for Children with Special Needs
• Volunteer Champion of Service Award Awarded to GAL Dorothy Binger
• Lake Miona Quilters of the Village – Thank you!
• In re D.O., 210 So.3d 1242 (Fla. 2nd DCA 2016)
• In re N.L., 210 So. 3d 1288 (Fla. 2nd DCA 2016)
• In re J.H., 2016 WL 6777133 (Fla. 2nd DCA)
• K.B. v. Florida Department of Children and Families, 2016 WL 5804144 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• M.C. v. Department of Children and Families, 2016 WL 6612173 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• S.D. v. Department of Children and Families, 2016 WL 6992649 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• R.M. v. State, Dept. of Children and Families, 2016 WL 6476935 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• B.S. v. Department of Children and Families, 2016 WL 6781614 (Fla. 4th DCA)
• A Note of Appreciation for Legal Advocacy At Its Best
• Now Accepting Proposals for the 2017 Disabilities Training Conference
• Protected: GAL Volunteer Training Course with Interpreters and Closed Captioning
• Rep. Jennifer Sullivan and Sen. Aaron Bean sponsoring legislation to make The Florida Keys to Independence Act for foster children a permanent program
• SB 60 on Children Obtaining Driver Licenses Unanimously Passes Committee
• Just One Week Left to Submit Proposals for the 2017 Disabilities Training Conference
• Senate Bill 60 by Senator Bean – Children Obtaining Driver Licenses Subcommittee Hearing
• Alan Abramowitz Reappointed as Executive Director of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office
• Available Now – GAL Volunteer Pre-Service Training Course with Interpreters and Closed Captioning
• Video: The Effects of Exposure to Domestic Violence on Babies and Children
• Register Today for the 2017 Disabilities Training Conference
• 2017 Guardian ad Litem Annual Report Now Available
• Latest Legal Briefs Newsletter
• Angela Orkin Dedication Award Given to Dennis Moore, General Counsel
• Senate Unanimously Supports Driver’s Licenses for Children
• Justice’s Best Friend Act passed the House today
• Last Day for Early Registration Discount – GAL Disabilities Training Conference
• Groundbreaking Program Helping Foster Children Get Driver’s Licenses Made Permanent as SB 60 Passes House and Goes to Governor
• Promoting Justice and Reducing Trauma, Florida Legislature passes HB 151 to Expand Use of Dogs in Court Proceedings
• Groundbreaking Program Helping Foster Children Get Driver’s Licenses Made Permanent as SB 60/HB 217 Passes Florida Legislature
• Golf Driving Range Fundraiser for the GAL Program
• Being a Foster Parent is a Walk in the Park
• New Video – Become a Pro Bono Attorney for the GAL Program
• Public Records Call
• E.Q. v. Florida Department of Children and Families, 2017 WL 362540 (Fla. 3rd DCA)
• Interpreting the S.M. Case – Least Restrictive Means
• Witness Testimony – Right to Confront Witness
• Immigration – Determination of Dependency
• Parental Drug Use as a Basis for Dependency
• Evidence – Supreme Court Declined to Adopt the Daubert Amendment
• Guardian ad Litem trains advocates in hurdles LGBTQ children face
• Statute of Limitations for Negligence Claims
• Statutory Grounds for Termination of Parental Rights
• Case Plan Compliance
• Procedures for Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claims
• Florida Guardian ad Litem Awarded $40,000 Youth Advocacy Grant
• Guardian ad Litem’s “Defending Best Interests Project” on fast track for lawyers to help children pro bono
• Paternity: Biological Father of Child Born to Intact Marriage Has Extremely Limited Rights and a “Casual Interest in Fatherhood” Found Insufficient To Trigger Constitutional Protection
• ICPC: Juvenile Court Not Authorized to Relinquish Jurisdiction over Children Prior to Complying with ICPC Home Study Requirement
• Statute of Limitations For Negligence Claims: Appointment of GAL in Dependency Case Should Not Extinguish Children’s Causes of Action
• Admission of Evidence: No Abuse of Discretion in Denying Untimely Request for Expert Witness Testimony
• Modification of Visitation Order: Requires Proper Notice and a Proof of a Substantial Change in Material Circumstances and that Modification is Required to Protect the Child’s Best Interests
• Trial Court Order Remanded for Additional Findings
• 2017 Disabilities Training Conference Videos Available Now
• Florida Bar News – GAL project aims to help children
• QPI/GAL Interview
• Billboards Call on “Super-Hero” Floridians to Help Dependent Kids
• Always in need, guardians protect kids in the court system
• Senator Aaron Bean introduces bill to help special needs children in court
• Paul Nigro Tapped as Guardian ad Litem Director for 19th Judicial Circuit
• Postdisposition Change of Custody: Order effectively granting reunification quashed where dependency court failed to apply proper statutory provisions, misconstrued the evidence and findings were not supported by competent substantial evidence.
• Single Parent TPR: Reversal of order terminating father’s parental rights on appeal requires reversal of order terminating mother’s parental rights as well.
• Error for trail court to modify permanency as to father who was not present at the hearing
• Case Plan Amendment: Trial court departed from the essential requirements of law when it changed case plan goal from reunification to permanent guardianship without an adequate evidentiary basis
• Section 39.806(1)(i) and Required Findings in Court Order: Case remanded to the trial court to make required findings that reunification would be a substantial risk to the child
• Implied Consent to Termination Petition: Trial court erred in denying motion to vacate implied consent on unique facts of the case
• Motion for Reunification Requires an Evidentiary Hearing: Mother was entitled to an evidentiary hearing on her motion for reunification with dependent child before court granted Department of Children and Families’ motion to terminate protective services
• Competency: No violation of due process in conducting TPR trial against incompetent parent
• Community Advocate of the Year – Ben Plechaty & 5th Grade Class, Manatee Elementary School
• Non-Profit of the Year – Speak Up for Kids of Palm Beach County
• Daniel P. Dawson Award – Natalee Hamilton
• Barbra Sessa Award – Janet Anderson
• Leadership Award – Susan Somers
• Executive Director Award – Meliza Frias
• Angela Orkin Dedication Award – Karen Orchowski
• Circuit Team Award – Vince Rieger, Pat Smith, Pam Peterson, & Kari Marsland-Petit
• Audrey Schiebler Volunteer of the Year Award – Christine Hoyne
• Pro Bono Matters
• Guardian ad Litem Direct Support Organization
• Incarcerated Parents
• Adoption Bill
• Older Floridians: Volunteer as a Guardian ad Litem – It’s Good For You!
• Vanessa Byerly tapped as Guardian ad Litem Director for 4th Judicial Circuit
• Now Accepting Proposals for the 2018 Disabilities Training Conference
• Kasandra Phillips nominated for Legacy Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Women
• The United States Supreme Court denies certiorari review in M.L. v. Department of Children and Families
• ADOPTION INTERVENTION AND BEST INTEREST OF CHILD-Transfer of custody to prospective adoptive parents under the Adoption Intervention Statute requires a best interest analysis considering all factors enumerated in section 63.082(6)(e) of the Florida Statutes.
• §39.806(1)(c) AND LEAST RESTRICTIVE MEANS-the trial court’s findings that additional services would be futile was sufficient to establish least restrictive means. Court order denying TPR reversed and case remanded for findings regarding the Manifest Best Interest factors.
• §39.806(1)(c) AND FUTILITY-termination of father’s parental rights order reversed where the Department did not offer evidence to establish that the provision of mental health and substance abuse services to father would be futile.
• CONTEMPORANEOUS OBJECTIONS AND APPEAL-the trial court terminated the mother’s rights to her autistic teenaged son based on medical neglect and case plan noncompliance. DCA affirmed because the order was supported by the evidence and challenges were not preserved below.
• IMPLIED CONSENT BY FAILURE TO APPEAR-mother’s failure to appear at trial to terminate her parental rights was not due to “forces or circumstances beyond [her] control”; therefore, default by consent was proper.
• 39.521(3)(b) and 39.522(3) AND PERMANENT PLACEMENT WITH NON-OFFENDING PARENT-trial court erred by applying wrong statutory provision resulting in permanent placement of child with non-offending father without proper findings.
• UNPLED GROUNDS AND IMPLIED CONSENTtermination of parents’ parental rights pursuant to 39.806(1)(e) as to one child was improper since there was no adjudication of dependency and no case plan filed. DCA held unpled grounds were not tried by implied consent.
• DISESTABLISHINIG PATERNITY, PRIVETTE AND CHAPTER 742.18-Privette best interest inquiry applies only in contested cases where a child faces the threat of being declared illegitimate, and the legal father faces the threat of losing parental rights which he seeks to maintain. Section 742.18 of the Florida Statutes provides a mechanism by which a man may disestablish his paternity without the requirement that another putative father is willing to establish paternity.
• STANDING TO CHALLENGE PATERNITY-section 742.18, Fla. Stat. (2017) does not preclude an individual from challenging a paternity determination pursuant to section 742.10(4).
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• Expedited TPR Pursuant to section 39.806(1)(m) and Least Restrictive Means-Least restrictive means analysis does not require a reunification case plan for biological father of child conceived by sexual battery
• Expedited TPR Pursuant to §39.806(1)(c), (i), (j) and (l) and Least Restrictive Means-Least restrictive mean analysis does not require a reunification case plan in extraordinary cases enumerated in §39.806(2), Fla.Stat. (2017)
• §39.811(1) and Order of Disposition-Dependency trial court’s findings in support of its decision to not adjudicate a child dependent, after declining to terminate parental rights of child’s father, were insufficient to permit the District Court of Appeal to conduct meaningful review, warranting reversal and remand of dependency determination.
• §39.806(1)(b)-Abandonment and Termination of Parental Rights of Incarcerated Parent. Trial court erred in terminating father’s parental rights on the ground of abandonment due to incarceration.
• Case Plan Goals-Due process requires notice of proposed change to permanency goal and strict adherence to statutory requirements.
• Proposed Final Order-Trial Court’s adoption of a proposed final judgment terminating parental rights is not per se reversible; rather, reversal is required only where the circumstances create an appearance that the judgment does not reflect the judge’s independent decision-making.
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• Proper Service, Failure to Appear and Constructive Consent to Dependency-Trial court correctly ruled that the mother’s presence at the shelter hearing obviated the need for service of process of the dependency petition and that mother’s failure to attend the arraignment hearing constituted a constructive consent to the adjudication of dependency
• Tolling of Time for Appeal-Adoption following a termination of parental rights is governed by the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure where a motion for rehearing does not toll the time for filing a notice of appeal
• Due Process-Parents have a due process right to be present for the manifest best interest and least restrictive means portion of proceeding for the termination of their parental rights
• Statute of Repose and Standing-Appeal barred by statute of repose and dismissed where biological father was not a legal parent, was not a party to the adoption below and had no standing to challenge the adoption judgment
• Competent Substantial Evidence-Trial court’s determination that child was at substantial risk of imminent harm was not supported by competent substantial evidence
• Clear and Convincing Evidence-Order terminating parental rights will be affirmed so long as at least one of the statutory grounds pursuant to § 39.806(1) is supported by clear and convincing evidence, termination is in the manifest best interest of the child and is the least restrictive means to protect the child from harm
• Sections 39.521 and 39.522 Fla. Stat. (2017)-Order terminating protective services and jurisdiction reversed due to trial court’s failure to comply with requirements of § 39.521(7) and § 39.522(7) of the Florida Statutes
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• The Department of Children and Families argued TPR should be overturned. The Guardian ad Litem disagreed and TPR was affirmed securing an opinion that pursuant to § 39.806(1)(e)2 the trial court may properly consider a parent’s non-compliance with a previous case plan when terminating parental rights based on material breach of the amended case plan
• Section 39.806(1)(d)(2) and Constitutional Challenge-Court rejects father’s argument that ground for termination of parental rights based on incarceration and designation as a sexual predator is unconstitutional
• Sexual Abuse and Statutory Definitions-Trial court incorrectly applied the statute defining sexual abuse in Chapter 39. Sexual abuse of a child by a parent is egregious conduct
• Denial of Motion for Continuance-Trial court abused discretion in denying mother’s motion for continuance where denial created an injustice for the mother, no dilatory practices were demonstrated, and no prejudice was shown
• Sections 39.806(1)(e)(1) and (3)-Evidence did not support the termination of a mother’s parental rights under Sections 39.806(1)(e)(1) or (3) for case plan noncompliance where review of the record showed mother had successfully completed all tasks in her case plans
• Biological Fathers and Standing-Putative biological father can establish standing to challenge paternity and assert paternal rights by demonstrating that he has shown a substantial and continuing concern for the welfare of the children
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