Subject:
Title
Interlocal Agreement with the Guardian Ad Litem program office for the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Interlocal Agreement with the Sixth Judicial Circuit’s Guardian Ad Litem (GAL).
• Article V of the Florida Constitution requires counties to fund circuit and county courts including the office and staffing of GAL programs.
• GAL provides volunteer advocacy to children involved in the child welfare system and the judicial court system.
• This Agreement outlines the County’s responsibility under Article V and provides funding in the amount of $39,010.00 per year to support a portion of the GAL program’s operational expenses. This is a reduction of $3,380.00 from the previous agreement due intergovernmental risk charges being eliminated.
• This continuation agreement provides for a five-year contract term. Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener, and purchaser of services for those in need
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
Summary
The purpose of this Agreement is to designate funding to maintain the appropriate levels of service for the GAL office as provided for in the Florida Statutes Section 29.008, County Funding of Court Related Functions. The Agreement supports the Article V technology requirements for the local program.
Body
Background Information:
The FL Constitution; Chapter 110, FL Statutes, Chapter 112, FL Statutes, Chapter 125, FL Statutes, Section 163.01, FL Statutes and other applicable provisions of the law allow for funding of GAL programming from the local counties. The GAL program was created in 1980 to provide volunteer advocacy in the child welfare system and court to ensure that the voice of the child is heard. Program staff recruit, train and manage community volunteers as they represent the children through case management and advocacy. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, the GAL program represented a cumulative total of 34,879 individual children throughout the entire year. GAL envisions a community where each child and young adult is safe, secure, and thriving.
Fiscal Impact:
The amount of the Interlocal Agreement is $39,010.00. Funding to support this agreement is included in the FY23 Proposed Human Services Budget.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this Agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Karen Yatchum, Director, Human Services
Partners:
Guardian Ad Litem Program, Sixth Judicial Circuit
Pinellas County Business Technology Services
Attachments:
GAL Interlocal Agreement
GAL Statewide Annual Report
GAL Long Range Program Plan