New Standards of Operation Available

On Wednesday, July 3, 2013, the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program published the latest revision of the Standards of Operation document, effective as of July 1, 2013.

All staff, volunteers and supporters should be familiar with the standards, which are designed to "inspire and empower volunteers and staff to say, 'I Am for the Child.'" Current versions of the standards and other documents are always available on the Current Volunteers page.

"As we approach 2015 and our 35th anniversary with the goal of more than 10,000 volunteers, I am looking forward to supporting our dedicated volunteers and staff who are there for the children and young adults not solely because it is their job, but because it's their passion in life," says Executive Director Alan Abramowitz.

"This document is a living and evolving document with the sole purpose of allowing our volunteers and staff to advocate for a child's best interest. I welcome your comments and thoughts to improve the standards."

You can download and read the Standards of Operation. You can also read a message from Executive Director Alan Abramowitz below.

Dear Guardian ad Litem Volunteers, Staff, Youth and Supporters!

The Gold Standard for GAL: standards to inspire and empower volunteers and staff to say, "I Am for the Child."

"I Am for the Child" is the theme for these updated standards. I believe they reflect that we have listened to the children and young adults in foster care and that we heard their voices in developing these standards.

A guardian ad litem is so much more to a child than just their court advocate. A guardian ad litem volunteer often becomes a role model, mentor, educational surrogate, friend, confidant and most important, a consistent caring person on whom the child can rely. The standards reflect this high level of empowerment and lay the foundation for guardians and staff to make an even greater difference in the lives of children. The theme we consistently hear through the voices of children — "to the world you are one person, but to one person you are the world" — is supported by these standards.

As we approach 2015 and our 35th anniversary with the goal of more than 10,000 volunteers, I am looking forward to supporting our dedicated volunteers and staff who are there for the children and young adults not solely because it is their job, but because it's their passion in life. This document is a living and evolving document with the sole purpose of allowing our volunteers and staff to advocate for a child's best interest. I welcome your comments and thoughts to improve the standards.

Thanks for the important work each of you do for children. I value your commitment and dedication to ensure children's voices are heard and children have someone in their corner fighting for them.

These standards will allow each of you to say unequivocally "I Am for the Child."

Alan F. Abramowitz
Executive Director