GUARDIAN AD LITEM LEGISLATIVE BUDGET REQUEST Fiscal Year r 2019 2019-2020 2020
ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN’S BEST INTERESTS As the child’s representative, Guardians ad Litem: ● Investigate and examine the facts of the case ● Represent the child’s best interests ● Monitor the progress of the case ● Give the child a voice in the proceeding ● Make reports and recommendations to the court ● Promote permanency for children Florida Statutes require appointment of a Guardian ad Litem in every dependency proceeding. § 39.822, Florida Statutes. GUARDIAN AD LITEM | LBR 2019-2020
WORKLOAD INCREASE ISSUE ● In certain areas of the state, the number of children entering the child welfare system has increased at an unusually high rate. ● For example, over the past several years current numbers show Circuit 5 (Marion County) had a 74% increase of children in out-of-home care and Circuit 13 (Hillsborough County) is up 41%. ● Guardian ad Litem is requesting $3,830,146 in recurring general revenue for an additional 64 FTEs to manage and support Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Child Advocates in circuits where the biggest impacts are occurring. GUARDIAN AD LITEM | LBR 2019-2020
CERTIFICATION ISSUE ● Requesting $358,128 recurring and $299,342 non-recurring general revenue (total $657,470) and 3 FTE to implement a program of certification and training for 380 professional child advocate managers. ● Working with Florida Certification Board and FSU Child Welfare Institute, Guardian ad Litem will establish quality and ethical standards, competency testing and professional development requirements to parallel those of Department of Children and Families and Community-Based Care case managers. GUARDIAN AD LITEM | LBR 2019-2020
VOLUNTEERS’ EXTRAORDINARY TRAVEL EXPENSE ISSUE ● 19% of abused and neglected children are placed out of their home circuits and over 36% are placed out of their home counties. ● For Volunteer Child Advocates on fixed incomes, travel costs to visit the children can be a barrier to taking and staying on cases. ● A consistent advocate is vital to the child and the court, particularly in a system with significant turnover, and a child’s guardian ad litem is sometimes the only stable adult in his or her life. ● Guardian ad Litem is requesting $331,262 be reauthorized this year, and as recurring general revenue, to enable the Guardian ad Litem Program to reimburse Volunteer Child Advocates for extraordinary travel expenses incurred in the best interests of children. GUARDIAN AD LITEM | LBR 2019-2020
ADDITIONAL LBR REQUESTS Budget Realignment Revenue Neutral OPS Attorneys to FTE Align Attorney Benefits $240,513 (recurring) with Select Exempt Service Voices for Children $150,000 (recurring) Contract Support Pay Adjustments for $457,617 (recurring) Field Managers GUARDIAN AD LITEM | LBR 2019-2020
SCHEDULE VIII B EXERCISE - $ 4,219,992 10% reduction eliminates 72 FTEs Reduces Guardian ad Litem ability to manage almost 2,000 citizen Volunteer Child Advocates Erodes Guardian ad Litem ability to meet mandate in Florida Statutes that all dependent children be represented by a Guardian ad Litem GUARDIAN AD LITEM | LBR 2019-2020
GUARDIAN AD LITEM Legislative Budget Request Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Alan F. Abramowitz, Executive Director Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office 600 S. Calhoun Street The Holland Building (850) 922.7213 GuardianadLitem.org Guardian ad Litem - Helping Children Reach Their Way Home .
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