Photo: Fabiana Zonca

Serving Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty and Wakulla counties in northwest Florida, the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program is part of a statewide partnership of community advocates and professional staff providing a powerful voice on behalf of Florida's abused and neglected children.

Our mission is simple: advocating for the child's best interest is our only interest.

With the support of individuals, businesses and organizations in the community, our program:

• recruits and trains volunteer guardians ad litem who protect the rights of and advocate for the best interests of a child involved in a court proceeding;
• recruits and collaborates with attorneys who provide pro bono legal services;
• ensures the immediate financial, health, educational and social needs are being met; and
• hosts a variety of community outreach and fundraising events.

Answers to frequently asked questions about guardians ad litem and our program.

About Child Advocates II, Inc., the not-for-profit volunteer organization established to support our program.

The leadership structure of our program including biographies and the statewide program.

Topics providing help and tips for using and finding information on our website.

For a brief introduction to the program and its mission, watch this five-minute interview of Alan Abramowitz, executive director of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office.

Video: Comcast Newsmakers

We are very proud of our staff, who prove on a daily basis that a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens can make a difference in the world. If you do not know with whom you need to speak or for general correspondence, please visit the Contact page.

Deborah Moore  Circuit Director
deborah.mooregal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1218

Leigh Merritt  Assistant Circuit Director
leigh.merrittgal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1216

Antoneia Roe  Supervising Attorney
antoneia.roegal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1227

Laurie Williams  Administrative Assistant
laurie.williamsgal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1212

Susan Wood-Merritt  Senior Secretary
susan.merrittgal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1217

Kimberly Nester  Volunteer Supervisor II
kimberly.nestergal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1226

Christina Chapman  Volunteer Supervisor I
christina.chapmangal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1211

Jessica Herndon  Volunteer Supervisor I
jessica.herndongal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1225

Dominic Whitfield  Volunteer Supervisor I
dominic.whitfieldgal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1222

Angela Still  Volunteer Supervisor I
angela.stillgal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1212

Elizabeth Phillips  Volunteer Supervisor I
elizabeth.phillipsgal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1210

Lorraine Donovan-Lepanto  Senior Program Attorney
lorraine.donovan-lepantogal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1214

Chelsea Rice  Program Attorney
chelsea.ricegal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1213

Jann Tucker-Pettway  Volunteer Supervisor II
jann.tucker-pettwaygal.fl.gov
(850) 606-1215

Lillian Walker  Secretary
lillian.walkergal.fl.gov
(850) 627-4180

Jennie Shepard  Senior Program Attorney
jennie.shepardgal.fl.gov
(850) 627-5505