Christie Geltz – Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)

Weekly Meeting May 8th, 2019

Pictured above is Christie Geltz of the Florida Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program with our Club President Donn Lounderee.

The GAL mission is to be an advocate for the children who are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court. Many children under the Court’s jurisdiction have been placed into Foster Care and their care is supervised by a Case Worker operating though the Department of Children and Families (DCF). There are still many rights that the parents have such as medications unless the Court has removed them for all care of the children.

The GAL main goal is to be an advocate for what is in the best interest of the child which might not necessarily be what DCF, the (Foster) parents, the school, friends want. GAL volunteers report their recommendations directly to the Court.

The standard for GAL volunteers is to visit with the designated child once a month although some GAL volunteers see the children under their supervision more often. Many GAL volunteers remain in contact with children in whom they have advocated for years after the case is closed.

Anyone interested in finding out more about GAL should visit their website at www.galpbc.org or call them at (561) 355-6224. They are always looking for more Volunteers.