Thank you for your interest in the Guardian ad Litem Program and advocacy for abused, abandoned, and neglected children. The Program will use the information on this application form to assess your qualifications to serve as a volunteer guardian and litem and conduct a security background investigation, including a criminal records check. Please read the directions carefully and complete all sections of this form as thoroughly as possible. When you complete the application, please return it along with a copy of your driver's license or photo ID and two completed reference forms. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office.

Please be aware that Florida has a very broad public records law and this application will be considered a public record. There are provisions in the Florida Statutes that enable a Program to protect certain information collected on this form, but if there is information that you are not comfortable providing, please speak to the circuit director to determine whether the information is critical to process the application.

The GAL Program is required by law, to conduct a Level 2 background screen. The background screen is done at the end of your training period. This could result in your going through the training and then being excluded because of a disqualifying offense. While that risk is small, (the list of disqualifying offenses is relatively small), we would urge you to consider this before you go through training. You may want to review the list of disqualifying offenses contained in Florida Statutes s. 435.04. You should understand, however, that any guilty finding or "no contest" pleading to a disqualifying offense gives us no latitude to certify you as a Guardian ad Litem volunteer.

Reasonable modifications and auxiliary aids and services are provided for individuals with disabilities. To request a modification or auxiliary aid or service, please contact the Statewide Guardian ad Litem office ADA Coordinator at The Holland Building, 600 South Calhoun St., Suite 260, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0979.

I certify that I have read and understand this  application disclaimer and notice of accommodation.