Update: the GAL Program isn’t being investigated by the Bar, and DCF is not cutting off kids in jail

Two pieces of news that I haven’t had time to post about.

First, the Bar determined that the request for an ethical review of the GAL Program’s use of attorneys needs to come from one of those attorneys, not an outside party. So, no investigation. That’s good. Those attorneys weren’t doing anything wrong. If a GAL/CBI attorney feels they’re being asked to do something ethically questionable, they can request a written opinion here. If a GAL/CBI attorney on specific case is doing something ethically questionable, you can file a Bar complaint against them here. If you just have problems with the way the Program is run, you can write long blog posts about it or something.

Second, DCF has settled a challenge to the new EFC rules brought by Florida’s Children First. The settlement is downloadable below. It states that DCF will offer kids in jail access to the Aftercare program in lieu of EFC and will work with the Department of Corrections on serving those youth. It also agrees to change rule language on how disabilities are documented and whether a youth who moves in with a TPR’d parent can be categorically denied EFC. All of that is good, too.

And unrelated: Today is the first day of school here at Miami Law. Our clinic is welcoming 23 law students who have signed up to represent foster kids and young adults for two whole semesters. Here’s to a great year!


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