The National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children held its annual Awards of Excellence Celebration on October 21, 2020. The Honorable Anthony Capizzi, a member of the National CASA/GAL Council of Advisors, served as emcee of the virtual ceremony, which honors dedicated advocates, judges, board members and staff. At this ceremony, […]
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
In Interest of S.E., — So.3d —- (2018) Father appealed the trial court’s order terminating protective services and jurisdiction, reunifying the child with the mother, and denying a motion for rehearing. The Second DCA accepted concessions of error by the Department and the GAL to the extent they acknowledged that the court failed to comply […]
Always in need, guardians protect kids in the court system
Click here to read a great article by Patrice Russell from the Bradford County Telegraph-Union County Times. This article highlights Alachua, Bradford, Baker, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties discussing the work of the Guardian ad Litem Program as well as the local circuit’s nonprofit The Guardian Foundation, Inc.
QPI/GAL Interview
Being a Foster Parent is a Walk in the Park
Optima Links by Circuit
Read the Latest Legal Briefs Newsletter
GAL Participating in Florida Annual Pinwheels for Prevention of Child Abuse Launch
Alan Abramowitz, Executive Director of the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office participates at the Prevent Child Abuse Florida Annual Pinwheels for Prevention of Child Abuse launch at the Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee. Alan is pictured with Florida First Lady Ann Scott and representatives of the Kappa Delta sorority members from Florida State University.
Seminole County GAL Volunteer Recognized
Guardians for Foster Children
A bill that would provide guardians for foster children who are severely disabled and turning 18 is moving in both houses of the Florida Legislature. The Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs unanimously passed the bill by Senator Nancy Detert (DEE-turt) on Thursday. The bill aims to identify Floridians who don’t have the […]
Every Child’s Eyes
Visit the Statewide GAL Office’s New and Improved Website

Our website has been redesigned to better serve Florida’s child welfare advocates! On it you will find how to get involved with the GAL Program, training, resources, local program and non-profit information, the latest news and case summaries – including the Legal Briefs Newsletter. Visit www.GuardianadLitem.org
E.R. v. Department of Children and Families, 143 So. 3rd 1131 (Fla. 4th DCA 2014)
The Fourth District Court of Appeal (Fourth DCA) reversed the trial court’s order adjudicating Mother and Father’s children dependent. Specifically, the Fourth DCA (in E.R.) held that the trial court’s finding that Mother “placed both the minor children at imminent risk of neglect and harm” was not supported by “competent, substantial evidence.” The underlying case was […]
R.A. v. Department of Children and Families, 83 So.3d 841 (Fla. 5th DCA 2011)
The father appealed the trial court’s order terminating his parental rights to his five children. He argues the trial court erred in finding the grounds of consent (based on his failure to appear) and abandonment. The father appeared by phone at the advisory hearing where he entered a denial to the termination petition. At the […]