Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Child Welfare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Guardian ad Litem requests $165,000 as volunteers and caseloads support 412 children
Summary
Amber Hedrick, Guardian ad Litem lead, presented a $165,000 FY26 request funded from the county general fund, a 5.1% increase driven by health insurance and salary adjustments for two FTEs; she reported the program currently represents 412 children placed in out-of-home care and uses volunteers to serve many of those cases.
Amber Hedrick, representing the Guardian ad Litem office, asked commissioners May 20 to approve a $165,000 FY26 budget request funded by the county general fund. Hedrick said the request is an $8,000 increase (5.1%) driven entirely by existing staff health insurance and salary adjustments and that the office has two FTEs.
Hedrick told the commission the office represents 412 children currently in out-of-home care in Seminole County through a multidisciplinary model that pairs child-welfare professionals and volunteer advocates with attorneys where needed. She said the office uses community volunteers and pro bono attorneys—28 volunteers currently serve approximately 266 of the children.
Nut graf: Why it matters — The Guardian ad Litem program provides child advocacy in dependency cases; county funding supports staff capacity and helps leverage volunteers and community partners to reach children who otherwise might lack representation.
Commissioners praised the program and asked about trends. Hedrick said the number of children entering shelter care has been trending down and credited strengthened local dependency systems, diversion programs and community-based care transitions for improved outcomes.
Ending: Commissioners thanked Hedrick and said staff will include the Guardian ad Litem request in FY26 scenarios.
