Laserfiche WebLink
GAL <br />Guardian ad Litem <br />A POWERFUL VOICE FOR <br />FLORIDA'S CHILDREN <br />FLORIDA GUARDIAN AD LITEM <br />PROGRAM <br />Alan Abramowitz, Executive Director <br />Paul Nigro, Circuit Director <br />March 29, 2018 <br />Honorable Peter D. O'Bryan <br />Chairperson, Indian River Co. Commission <br />County Administration Building <br />1801 27th Street <br />Vero Beach, FL 32960 <br />Honorable Edward V. Ciampi <br />Chairperson, Martin Co. Commission <br />Martin County Administration Center <br />2401 SE Monterey Road <br />Stuart, FL 34996 <br />Honorable Terry W. Burroughs Honorable Frannie Hutchinson <br />Chairperson, Okeechobee Co. Commission Chairperson, St. Lucie Co. Commission <br />Board of County Commissioners Board of County Commissioners <br />304 Northwest 2nd Street, Room 123 2300 Virginia Avenue <br />Okeechobee, FL 34972 Ft. Pierce, FL 34982 <br />RE: Guardian ad Litem Program County Budget Request for FY19 <br />Dear Commissioners: <br />The Guardian ad Litem Program's (GALP) mission is "I am for the Child". Our vision clearly goes hand in <br />hand with our mission. Our Program's vision as stated in our 2018 Annual Report "will continue to be a <br />powerful and effective voice advocating for the best interest of Florida's abused, abandoned and <br />neglected children and be recognized and respected as a partnership of community advocates and <br />professional staff. To the fullest extent possible, this vision will be realized through volunteers who will <br />advocate as Guardians ad Litem for the children they serve." <br />Our Program's ability to continue to operate is due, in large part, to your continued support and belief in <br />our mission and the support of our local communities. Together we can ensure that more than 800 <br />children from Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties have a voice in Court and within <br />their communities. <br />You may recall from last year that St. Lucie County, in conjunction with the City of Fort Pierce, had <br />identified a location that would serve to house the Guardian ad Litem Program for the next 15 years and <br />likely longer while affording our four counties a substantial savings over our previous rental agreement. <br />Unfortunately, due to unforeseeable circumstances with the building, that project was unable to be <br />completed within the original budget allocated by St. Lucie County. Our enclosed budget request <br />includes a substantial increase in short-term funding to complete the GALP relocation to Fort Pierce. <br />Please know that all efforts are being made to reduce the cost of that project to the counties while also <br />ensuring that all counties eventually recognize a cost savings while supporting the GALP. <br />Thank you for your consideration of the Guardian ad Litem County budget request for FY19. Please feel <br />free to contact me if you have any questions at (772) 871-7237 or (863) 529-0948. <br />Respe - ull , <br />G <br />Pa gro, Circuit Director <br />NINETEENTH CIRCUIT GUARDIAN AD LITEM <br />584 NW UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD, SUITE 600 <br />PORT ST. LUCIE 7 3 3986-2260 <br />PHONE: (774) 1.5-5804 <br />FAX: (772) 785-5869 <br />