Child Guardians, Inc.
What happens when a child is reported as abused, neglected, or abandoned?
A phone call has been made and the Department of Children and Families is directed to remove that child from an unsafe situation. The parent may have become abusive, or perhaps, due to drugs, has become negligent. The child could also have been abandoned by his/her parents. The reasons for abuse, abandonment or neglect are many.
But what happens to this child?
The law states that a shelter hearing must be held within 24 hours. Most likely this child will be later “adjudicated dependent”…put in the care of the judicial system until a final outcome of reunification with a parent or termination of parental rights has occurred. This process takes months. How scary this must be for someone so young and vulnerable!
Here is where we in the community can help. The Guardian ad Litem Program was established by the State of Florida to help assist the courts in determining the best interests of a child. The guardian ad litem is a volunteer who has been certified by the Florida Supreme Court to represent the best interests of children in abuse, neglect, or abandonment cases.
Monthly Statistics for February, 2012
Children with a GAL Representive |
Children in DCF system |
% of Children Represented |
|
Escambia |
692 |
1,316 |
53% |
Santa Rosa |
412 |
762 |
54% |
Okaloosa |
290 |
465 |
62% |
Walton |
213 |
93 |
44% |
Total
|
1,487
|
2,756
|
54%
|
Guest Speaker
Senator Don Gaetz
R.S.V. P. by Monday, May 14th to 850-609-5461
Come join us for a cup of coffee/tea & dessert
Tuesday, may 15, 2012
1 – 2 p.m.
Emerald Coast Association of Realtors
10 Hollywood Blvd.
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
