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Conferences and Training

Attorney conference calls are held monthly and provide up-to-date information on topics related to legal advocacy. These trainings are conducted by both Program staff and experts from outside the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program. Each hour long presentation has been approved for CLE credit. Below you will find audio files of these conference calls as well as practice aids and materials provided by the lecturer. If you are an attorney and would like to receive CLE credit for listening to the audio file below, please visit the Florida Bar website and submit the course number provided to receive CLE credit.

We have also included documents from the Regional Training the Program has presented to program attorneys, case coordinators and staff.  Audio not provided.



Conference Title: DEPOSITIONS OF CHILDREN, Frances J. Feinberg, Senior Staff Attorney, GAL Program

Conference Date: February 13, 2008

CLE Course Number: 70727

Audio:
Audio Recording on February 13, 2008 Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Documents & Links:
Materials for Deposition Training

Frances J. Feinberg:

Fran has been involved with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program for over 15 years --first as a Guardian ad Litem volunteer in Miami and then as a Senior Staff Attorney. She is responsible for the management and direction of the Criminal Court Project at Kristi House, in Miami, Florida. Her duties include supervision of criminal court cases to pro bono attorneys in the South Florida legal community; legal representation of children who are victim/witnesses in criminal court cases which may or may not have a dependency case component; and development of administrative orders used in criminal court which safeguard children's legal rights.


Conference Title: UNDERSTANDING THE INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT (ICWA), Jennifer Staley, Esq., KidsVoice

Conference Date: January 15, 2008

CLE Course Number: 81237

To receive credit all participants must e-mail creynolds@flabar.org with: 1) your name; 2) your bar number; 3) the name and number of the course and 4) the date you completed the course in order to receive credit.

Audio:
Audio Recording on January 15, 2008 Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Documents & Links:
Understanding ICWA Power Point Presentation

Sample Letter to BIA  - Used prior to Petitions or Orders being filed

Sample Letter - Used after Peition filed and identity of child's parents, guardians or Tribe is known

Indian Lineage & Family Ties Chart

Florida ICWA Fact Sheet, National Indian Child Welfare Association

Resource Directory, Indians.org

Florida Governor’s Council on Indian Affairs


Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

The National Indian Law Library (NILL), Native American Rights Fund - this site has resources by topic (including Indian Child Welfare), ICWA information, case summaries and information on Indian Trust Funds (IIM) discussed in the training.

Jennifer Staley:

Ms. Staley is a Team Supervisor at KidsVoice, an organization representing children in Pittsburgh, PA. Ms. Staley has spoken to community leaders and at various conferences about issues relating to children especially those issues that face children as they leave the foster care system. Ms. Staley is co-author of Helping Clients Transition to Independent Living. In addition to her membership in several children’s issues organizations, including the National Association of Counsel for Children and the Pennsylvania Bar Association Children’s Rights Committee, Ms. Staley is a member of the ACBA Juvenile Law Committee, where she serves as co-chair of the CLE Planning Subcommittee. Ms. Staley serves on the Duquesne University Law School Alumni Association Board of Governors. Ms. Staley serves on the Board of Directors of CORO.  Ms. Staley also serves on the Associate Board of Gilda’s Club of Allegheny County.


Conference Title: PROVING NEXUS, Thomas W. Young, Appellate Counsel, Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office

Conference Date: December 6, 2007

CLE Course Number

Audio:
Audio Recording on December 6, 2007 Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Documents:
In re M.F., 770 So.2d 1189 (Fla. 2000)


Padgett v. The Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, 577 So.2d 565 (Fla. 1991)


Florida Department of Children and Families v. F.L, 880 So.2d 602 (Fla. 2004)

Thomas W. Young:

Thomas W. Young is the lead appellate counsel for the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program. He has practiced law for more than 17 years, 12 ½ of which was in private practice with a large law firm. Mr. Young has tried many jury trials and bench trials involving all types of cases. He is admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court; US Courts of Appeal for 10th and 11th Circuits; and admitted to practice in Florida, Kansas, and New Mexico. In addition, Mr. Young has argued cases in the Supreme Courts of Florida and Kansas and has had appellate cases in all five Florida District Courts of Appeal.



Conference Title: MASTER TRUST TRAINING PART I & II, William Booth, Esq., Juvenile Advocacy Project; John Walsh, Esq., Foster Children's Project; Jim Walsh, Esq., Foster Children's Project

Conference Date: November 2, 2007

CLE Course Number: 70907

Video: Video Recording of Part I on November 2, 2007 Program Attorney Training
(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Note: If you have reached the Guardian ad Litem website through Citrix (Guardian ad Litem Employees), there will be no sound on the video. Please Copy (Highlight + Control + C) the address at the top of the page (Address Bar) and Paste (Click on New Address Bar + Control + V) into the address bar of another browser (i.e. Windows Internet Explorer or AOL) - not through the Citrix Applications Page. You will then be able to hear the training.

Audio:
Audio Recording of Part II on November 27, 2007 Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Documents:
Master Trust Power Point Slides
Master Trust Declaration
Orders Creating Master Trust
Transcript of Hearing Creating Master Trust

About William Booth:

William Booth is an attorney at the Juvenile Advocacy Project of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. He has represented children for six years in dependency, delinquency, education, and mental health cases.

About John Walsh:

John Walsh is a co-supervising attorney of the Foster Children's Project of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. He has been practicing in the child welfare field for 17 years.

About Jim Walsh:

Jim Walsh is a co-supervising attorney of the Foster Children's Project of the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. He has been practicing in the child welfare field for 17 years.



Conference Title: LEGAL ETHICS IN DEPENDENCY PRACTICE, David Silverstein, Office of the Attorney General, Children's Legal Services Hillsborough County Florida

Conference Date: October 23, 2007

CLE Course Number:  84467 (1 Ethics Credit)

Audio:
Audio Recording on October 23, 2007 Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Documents:
Ethics Scenario 1
Ethics Scenario 2
Excerpts From Rules of Professional Conduct

About David Silverstein:

David Silverstein was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1991. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 1986 and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida in 1991. He served as the CWLS Senior Attorney in Hernando County from 1993 to 1999, and he was the Department of Children & Families CWLS Managing Attorney for District 13 from 1999 to 2004. He currently is employed with the Office of the Attorney General, Children's Legal Services in Hillsborough County, Florida. Mr. Silverstein has performed many trainings for DCF attorneys and caseworkers. He is currently the Vice-Chair of the Juvenile Rules Committee of The Florida Bar, and Chair of the DCF CWLS Legal Training Committee.



Conference Title: TAKING AND DEFENDING DEPOSITIONS, Thomasina Moore, JD

Conference Date: September 26, 2007

CLE Course Number:  67837

Audio:
Audio Recording on September 26, 2007 Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Audio: Q and A Session

Documents:
Taking and Defending Depositions - Course Outline
Simple Answers to Common Problems During Depositions Kevin A Moore, 68-June Fla. B.J.111
Deposition Potpourri or Helpful Hints To Avoid Deposition Fatigue Steven G. Mason, William J. Sheaffer, 75-JUN Fla. B.J. 77

About Thomasina Moore, J.D.:

Thomasina Moore is the founding partner of Thomasina Moore, P.A., which is a civil litigation firm with a particular emphasis on consumer financial litigation as well as civil appeals. The firm provides statewide representation to mortgage loan originators, servicers and investors in cases initiated by consumers independently or arising within mortgage foreclosures. Thomasina has vast experience in civil litigation, including the defense of smoking and health litigation for two cigarette manufacturers, in class actions and individual actions throughout the State of Florida at the trial and appellate level.



Conference Title: PATERNITY, Alicia Guerra, J.D., M.S.W., Senior Program Attorney, Florida Guardian ad Litem Program

Conference Date: July 18, 2007

CLE Course Number: 65587

Audio:
Audio Recording on July 18, 2007 Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Documents:
Paternity training

 

About Alicia Guerra, J.D.:

Alicia Guerra graduated from Florida State University in 1997 with a B.S., majoring in social work and again in 2001 with a J.D., an M.S.W. and a certificate in child welfare practice from the school of social work. While in undergraduate school she interned with the Florida Baptist Children's Home performing adoptions, foster care, and group care case management. As part of her joint-degree graduate studies she interned with the Department of Children and Families as a child protective investigator and as a certified legal intern for CWLS. After law school, she worked for DCF District 12 as a CWLS attorney from 2001-2004. Alicia came to work for the 7th Circuit GALP in 2004 and was promoted to Supervising Attorney in 2006. In April 2007 she transferred to the 20th Circuit GALP and has been the supervising attorney since August 9, 2007.



Conference Title: SEXUAL ABUSE ISSUES & THE KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE ACT, Karen Oehme, J. D., Program Director, Clearinghouse on Supervised Visitation & Sonia Crockett, J.D.

Conference Date: July 13, 2007

CLE Course Number: 82937

Audio:
Audio Recording on July 13, 2007 Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Documents:
Dynamics of Sexual Abuse
Keeping Children Safe Act Training
Summary of Section 39.0139, Florida Statutes (2007)

 

About Sonia Crockett, J.D.:

Sonia Crockett graduated from the Florida State University College of Law in 1980 and has lived in Tallahassee since then. She was a Program Attorney for the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program from 1996 until 2001 and then again from 2003 until 2005. Traveling and teaching abroad has taken her away from the Guardian ad Litem Program, but she remains dedicated to the Program's goals.

About Karen Oehme, J.D., Director, Florida Clearinghouse on Supervised Visitation:

Karen Oehme received her law degree from Florida State University in 1987. She is the Director of the Florida Clearinghouse on Supervised Visitation, where she provides technical advice and assistance to Florida's supervised visitation programs and serves as liaison to judges, the Office of the State Courts Administrator, the Department of Children and Families, and the Florida Legislature on visitation and access issues. She also conducts training on working with the court and on legal and administrative issues for Supervised Visitation program staff in programs nationwide and in Canada. Her other responsibilities include writing training manuals for Supervised Visitation staff, judges, and law enforcement; drafting court orders and administrative materials for Supervised Visitation programs; presentations at conferences related to supervised visitation; and researching and writing related to family law, custody, domestic violence, and supervised visitation statewide and nationally. She has provided technical assistance to the Office on Violence Against Women, Safe Havens/Supervised Visitation grantees and has provided technical assistance to the National Steering Committee on Supervised Visitation. She has written and co-authored numerous articles on Supervised Visitation issues. Formerly a staff attorney at Legal Services of North Florida and the Guardian ad Litem Program of the Second Judicial Circuit, Karen is a current Board member of Supervised Visitation Network, a recipient of the Judith Wallach President's Award for Outstanding contributions to the Field of Supervised Visitation, and the current chair of the Supervised Visitation Network Training Committee.



Conference Title: INDEPENDENT LIVING ISSUES, Deborah A. Schroth, Staff Attorney, Florida Legal Services, Inc.

Conference Date: June 26, 2007

CLE Course Number: 44037 (2 credit hours for part one and part two)

Audio:
Audio Recording (Part 2) on June 26, 2007 Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Documents:
Issues Affecting Foster Youth and Former Foster Youth
Issues in Independent Living
Rule 65C-28-009
Rule 65C-28-010
SB 2114
Florida Independent Living Guidelines and Worksheets Book, Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program, December 2006

 

About Deborah A. Schroth, JD 1979:

University of Oregon School of Law. LL.M. in taxation, 1987, University of Florida School of Law. Senior Staff Attorney Admitted to Florida Bar 1980; practice in poverty law since 1984. Member, Florida Bar Association: Juvenile Court Rules Committee; Chair of the Public Interest Law Section's Legislation Committee. Current focus is on juvenile law in all courts: trial, appellate and administrative; background in general practice.



Conference Title: FLORIDA 2007 LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, Deborah Lacombe, Deputy General Counsel, Florida Guardian ad Litem Office

Conference Date: June 21, 2007

CLE Course Number: 55007

Audio:
Audio Recording on June 21, 2007 Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Documents:
2007 Legislative Update Summary

 

About Deborah Lacombe:

As Deputy General Counsel, Deborah Lacombe provides legal support and advice to the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office on policy issues and legislative matters. Prior to that, she was a Senior Attorney at the Office of State Courts Administrator. While at the OSCA she provided staff support for the Steering Committee on Families and Children in the Court, and worked with the Dependency Court Improvement Program and Family Court Initiative.



Conference Title: INDEPENDENT LIVING ISSUES, Deborah A. Schroth, Staff Attorney, Florida Legal Services, Inc.

Conference Date: May 30, 2007

CLE Course Number: 44037 (2 credit hours for part one and part two)

Audio:
Audio Recording (Part 1) on May 30, 2007 Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Documents:
Issues in Independent Living
Rule 65C-28-009
Rule 65C-28-010
SB 2114
Florida Independent Living Guidelines and Worksheets Book, Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program, December 2006

 

About Deborah A. Schroth, JD 1979:

University of Oregon School of Law. LL.M. in taxation, 1987, University of Florida School of Law. Senior Staff Attorney Admitted to Florida Bar 1980; practice in poverty law since 1984. Member, Florida Bar Association: Juvenile Court Rules Committee; Chair of the Public Interest Law Section's Legislation Committee. Current focus is on juvenile law in all courts: trial, appellate and administrative; background in general practice.



Conference Title: CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE WESTLAW RESEARCH, Martin Melang, JD, Westlaw Government Account Manager

Conference Date: May 3, 2007

CLE Course Number: 53206

Audio:
Audio Recording on May 3, 2007 Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Documents:
Basic Westlaw Training

 

About Martin Melang, JD:

Marty graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2003 and went to work for West after graduation. He has worked in the corporate office as a Reference Attorney and an Account Manager for both small law firms and government offices. He has been working with state and local government accounts in the southeastern United States for the past 6 months.



Conference Title: TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, Florida Guardian ad Litem Regional Training

Conference Date: February ~ March 2007

Documents:
Termination of Parental Rights Overview - Power Point Presentation with Presenter Notes

Termination of Parental Rights Checklist Grounds for TPR, Manifest Best Interest and Least Restrictive Means

Termination of Parental Rights Evidence Chart Elements of TPR grounds, examples of evidence for each element of TPR grounds, and possible sources of evidence

  • Worksheet  TPR Evidence Chart to be used when preparing for TPR

Manifest Best Interest Chart and Cases Manifest Best Interest considerations, and possible proof or evidence

  • Worksheet TPR Manifest Best Interest Chart to be used when preparing for TPR

Termination of Parental Rights Cases



Conference Title: THE FLORIDA ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE SYSTEM, Kenneth L. Marvin Staff Counsel Director, Lawyer Regulation

Conference Date: March 20, 2007

CLE Course Number: 17637

Audio:
Audio Recording on March 20, 2006 Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Documents:
Overview of TFB Discipline System

 


Conference Title: PROFESSIONALISM IN PREPARING FOR TRIAL, George E. "Buddy" Schulz Jr., Partner, Holland & Knight, Lawyer Regulation

Conference Date: February 28, 2007

CLE Course Number: 18517

Documents:
Professionalism


Conference Title: ADOPTION SUBSIDIES, ENHANCED SUBSIDIES AND MORE!, Helen Spohrer, Supervising Attorney, Florida Guardian ad Litem Program

Conference Date: February 8, 2007 & April 12, 2007

CLE Course Number: 17607

Audio:
Audio Recording of Adoption Subsidies Program Attorney Training

(2 minute download for Cable/DSL)

Documents:
Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Subsidy
Smith Letter
Request for Enhanced Subsidy
Relative Caregiver Communication
Normalcy Memo
Funds Dependent Children Docs
Adoption vs LTRC


Conferences and Training Archives

Click Here to View 2006 Conferences and Training

  • MEDICAID WAIVERS AND EARLY PERIODIC SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT (EPSDT), Professor Paolo Annino, Florida State University College of Law
  • IMPLIED CONSENT FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR & PETITIONS FOR HABEAS CORPUS, Patricia M. Propheter, Appellate Counsel, Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Program
  • SINGLE-PARENT TERMINATIONS & VOLUNTARY SURRENDERS, Patricia M. Propheter, Appellate Counsel, Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Program
  • FLORIDA 2006 LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, Deborah Lacombe, Deputy General Counsel, Florida Guardian ad Litem Office
  • PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS, Daniel P. Tressler, Psy.D.
  • EVIDENCE ISSUES INVOLVING JUVENILES IN FLORIDA, Charles W. Ehrhardt, Ladd Professor of Evidence, Florida State University College of Law
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