TAMPA- Governor Jeb Bush today met with faith-based leaders at a meeting hosted by the Tampa Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) program to encourage support of the Guardian Ad Litem program. Governor Bush outlined his vision for a statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office within the Justice Administrative Commission.

"There are more than forty-four thousand children in dependency
proceedings and the number of volunteer guardians ad litem statewide is a dismaying four thousand five hundred. We can and must do better for these children who are in some of the most difficult situations we can imagine," said Governor Bush. "Children in dire circumstances need all the attention and care possible. Imagining the faith-based community in Tampa might wrap its arms around the Guardian Ad Litem program is a sparkle of hope in our efforts to move forward."

Governor Bush shared with the faith-based team his vision of how the proposed Office of Guardian Ad Litem (Senate Bill 1974) could operate statewide. Key aspects include:

* transfer of the program to the Justice Administrative Commission;
* the hiring of a full-time executive director to oversee the program;
* development of a synergy with the Governor's Mentoring Initiative.

The initiative will heavily promote GAL as an option for volunteers
through a statewide PSA campaign.

Chief Justice Harry Lee Anstead shared with the group he believed a statewide program could substantially assist in enhancing the effectiveness of the program; ensuring there are systemic efforts to recruit, train and retain volunteers.

"I am pleased to see the three branches of government working
collaboratively on this issue, and have high hopes the new legislation will result in thousands of children receiving the assistance they deserve," said Justice Anstead.

Governor Bush was joined by Chief Judge Manual Menendez, Judge Frank Gomez, Judge Emmett Battles, Judge Richard Nielsen, Judge Katherine Essrig and Charles Nelson, GAL program director in Tampa. Faith-based community leaders included Rev. Abraham Brown, First Baptist of College Hill; Rev. W. James White, Bulah Baptist Church; Rev. Bartholomew Banks, St. John's Progressive Missionary Baptist Church; Rev. Wallace Bowers, St. Mary's Missionary Baptist; Rev. Walter Williams II, New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church; Steward Kirk Bogen, Allen Temple AME Church; Rev. Earl Mason, Bible Base Fellowship, Temple Terrace; Minister Martha Watson, New Smyrna Full Gospel Baptist Church; Dr. Mozella Mitchell, Love of Christ AME Zion Tabernacle.

Guardians Ad Litem are citizens who volunteer to become part of a court program to represent the interest of abused and neglected
children who are the subject of court proceedings. Guardians Ad Litem represent children before the court, social service agencies and the community.

Any person who has common sense, good judgment and good character, who cares and is able to give time to help a child is eligible to apply. The certification process includes completion of a written application, background screening, reference checks, personal interview and 30 hours of training. For more information on becoming a guardian, contact the Governor's Mentoring Initiative at 1-800-825-3786 or visit www.flamentoring.org.