Guardian ad Litem - 20th Circuit

07/10/2026

Meet the Leadership of our Florida Guardian ad Litem Office CHAMPIONS!

Our Florida Guardian ad Litem Office CHAMPIONS are helping turn personal experience into purpose — and we are proud to introduce Robert Hurley, Chair, and Amberlynn Oswold, Vice-Chair.

Robert Hurley | Chair
Robert is one of the original members of our Florida Guardian ad Litem Office CHAMPIONS. After entering foster care at age nine, he went on to attend Stanford University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology: Biochemistry and Biophysics. Now back in Florida, Robert is using his perspective and experiences to help strengthen the future for children and young adults in care.

Amberlynn Oswold | Vice-Chair
Amberlynn entered foster care at age eight and has turned her experiences into a commitment to helping improve the systems that support children and families. She currently works as an Assistant Property Manager while studying Communications and Journalism and plans to attend law school.

Together, Robert and Amberlynn bring strong leadership, thoughtful perspective, and a shared commitment to creating meaningful change for Florida’s children and young adults in care.

Follow our Florida Guardian ad Litem Office CHAMPIONS as they continue working to strengthen opportunities and outcomes for children and young adults across Florida.

30/09/2026

September is National Kinship Care Month!

Kinship care is when children’s parents are unable to care for them and relatives or non-relatives step in to provide the crucial support and stability they need. This helps maintain consistency and important family connections.

Recently, grandparents opened their home to care for their grandchildren. The children’s Florida Guardian ad Litem Office team, including Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Jenn Cordell and Guardian ad Litem Attorneys Kelly Chiado and Alicia Tarrant, supported the grandparents by connecting them with necessary resources and providing information to the court about the children and family.

Working with Jenn, the grandparents addressed learning gaps and even taught cursive at home when it was no longer taught at school. They encouraged the children’s interests, involving them in activities like volleyball and soccer. The grandparents also collaborated closely with the children’s parents and actively participated in court proceedings, knowing they could reach out to their Guardian ad Litem team for support.

Their dedication is a meaningful example of the important role kinship caregivers can play in providing children with stability, encouragement, and opportunities to thrive.

Thank you to these caregivers — and to everyone who supports kinship families. You are making a difference every day for these children.

To learn how you can make an impact, visit www.guardianadlitem.org.

25/09/2026

Our CHAMPIONS have been on the move across Florida!

Over the past few weeks, CHAMPIONS panels have brought together members of our Guardian ad Litem community, local stakeholders and community leaders in Circuits 4, 6,10 and 13, for meaningful conversations about the experiences of children and young adults in Florida’s child welfare system.

We were excited to see so many community leaders attend, ask questions and engage directly with our CHAMPIONS. These conversations provide valuable insight that can help strengthen how we represent the legal interests of children in court and in the community.

Thank you to our CHAMPIONS, our local teams and everyone who joined these important discussions.

Want to make a difference for a child in your community? Become a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer and be part of the team that represents the legal interests of children who have experienced abuse, abandonment or neglect.

Learn more and get started at guardianadlitem.org

23/09/2026

September is National Child Welfare Workforce Appreciation and Development Month, and we’re proud to recognize our Guardian ad Litem Child Advocate Managers who work each day to make a difference for children and families across Florida.

Their dedication, compassion and commitment help strengthen the teams that represent the legal interests of children who have experienced abuse, abandonment and neglect.

Thank you to our Child Advocate Managers for the important work you do every day. 💙💛

18/09/2026

September is National Kinship Care Month.

Kinship care is when a family member opens their homes and their hearts to care for a child when the parents cannot. These placements provide the children with consistency and connection.

Recently, a teenage girl entered the system and was placed in a group home. She was unsure what her future would hold. The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office – Circuit 20 team, who was appointed to represent her, worked with child welfare partners to do a family search to see if the teen had any relatives who could care for her. An aunt was located out of state. The aunt agreed to step in and provide the teen with the love, security and stability she needed. Not only did she agree to become her caregiver, but later she adopted her, giving her what every child deserves – a safe, permanent home. The teen texted her Guardian ad Litem team expressing how grateful she was to be with family in her new forever home.

The Florida Guardian ad Litem Office thanks all the families who have stepped up to help care for our community’s most vulnerable children. Together, we can help these children thrive surrounded by support and love.

To learn how you can make a difference, visit https://guardianadlitem.org/.

18/09/2026

Florida Guardian ad Litem Office at the 2026 Florida Children and Families Summit!

Last week, child welfare professionals from across the state, including staff and volunteers from the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office, came together at the 2026 Florida Children and Families Summit to share knowledge, best practices and ideas for continuing to help Florida’s children. Our team appreciated the opportunity to learn from others while also sharing information about the Office and how we represent the legal interests of children who have experienced abuse, abandonment and neglect.

A highlight of the Summit was seeing members of the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office’s CHAMPIONS take the stage to share their perspectives, insights and ideas during several workshops. CHAMPIONS draw from their own experiences in Florida’s child welfare system to help inform conversations about policies, practices and the support provided to children and young adults across our state.

During the Summit, CHAMPIONS spoke about the importance of sibling relationships and shared advice with child welfare professionals who are helping teens prepare for their next chapter. We are incredibly grateful to our CHAMPIONS for sharing their experiences and continuing to make an impact.

Other members of our team also shared their knowledge, including Assistant Director Wendy Rodriguez and Child Advocate Manager Supervisor Paige Cueto from Circuit 19, who presented “Engaging Families in Meaningful Change.” Opportunities like the Summit allow us to learn from one another, share what we know and continue working toward our shared purpose of helping Florida’s children thrive.

Follow our page to learn more about the CHAMPIONS and how their experiences are helping shape the work we do for Florida’s children. Visit www.guardianadlitem.org to learn how you can get involved.

11/09/2026

Today, the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office remembers the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and honors the heroes, first responders, service members, and families forever impacted by that day.

Patriot Day is a reminder of the strength found in compassion, community, and stepping forward to serve others — values that continue to make a difference in the lives of children and families across Florida.

We will never forget.

11/09/2026

09/09/2026

“After retiring from more than 40 years as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and relocating to Naples, I knew I wanted to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of children.

One day while walking my dog, a friend told me about the opportunity to become a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer. I contacted the Volunteer Recruiter and began the process. After learning more about the role and meeting with a Child Advocate Manager, I knew this was something I wanted to pursue.

Since becoming a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer, I have truly enjoyed building relationships with the children I work with and being a consistent, supportive presence in their lives. It is incredibly rewarding to see them become more comfortable and engaged during our visits and to be part of the multidisciplinary team helping represent and support them in court and the community.” – Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Janet Schultz

Learn more about becoming a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer at www.guardianadlitem.org.

08/09/2026

All Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Collier, and Lee County Volunteers and Mentors! You are invited to tour the offices of A.N.A.'s Friends, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting abused, neglected, and abandoned children in Southwest Florida.

We truly hope you're able to join us!