The success of the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program comes not only from the dedicated work of volunteers and community supporters, but from talented and thoughtful leadership at both the local and statewide level.
Contributing their vision, professionalism and empathy, our circuit director and assistant circuit director are responsible for ensuring children in the program are appropriately supported, providing volunteer training opportunities, organizing fundraising and community outreach events and supervising the office's staff.
Circuit Director
Circuit Director Deborah Moore has been with the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program since 1998. After serving as Assistant Circuit Director for eight years, Moore transferred to the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office as Volunteer Recruiter in 2006. Two years later, she was promoted to Public Information Officer.
On October 1, 2009, Moore returned to the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program to assume the position of Circuit Director. "There are many times each day when I think how fortunate I am to work with a program supported by so many giving volunteers and community supporters," said Moore. "The best part of my job is knowing that what we do really does make things better for many children."
Moore is the recipient of the 2009 Barbra Sessa Award, presented annually by the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program to an individual who exemplifies the spirit and mission of child advocacy and the program.
Moore is a graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She lives in Leon County near her family and son.
Assistant Circuit Director
Assistant Circuit Director Leigh Merritt has been with the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program since 2002. Starting her relationship with the program in 2000 as a volunteer, Merritt finds child welfare and advocacy fascinating.
In 2006, Merritt assumed the position of Assistant Circuit Director. "My job is always challenging; it's never dull or boring to me," said Merritt. "I find meaning each day in what I do and am inspired by the work the staff and volunteers do on behalf of these children."
Family is very important to Merritt, who considers the program's staff and volunteers a part of her family. A constant source of support for Merritt and the program is her husband Boyd and her son Alex, currently studying at the University of Central Florida. Merritt's mother Tommye Hutto is Editor of The Guardian newsletter as well as contributor to Child Advocates II.
A true Tallahassean, Merritt holds a Bachelor's degree in Family and Child Science from Florida State University and has worked for the State of Florida government since 1990.
Responsible for the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office, which provides oversight of and technical assistance to the local guardian ad litem programs operating in Florida's twenty judicial circuits, the executive director is a gubernatorially-appointed position with a renewable term of three years.
Reporting to the governor, the executive director carries out the purposes and functions of the office in supplying a statewide infrastructure to increase efficiency and standardization among the programs, implementing performance measures and standards, developing guardian ad litem training programs and maximizing the use of local funding sources.
Executive Director
Alan Abramowitz is the executive director of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office, appointed by Governor Charlie Crist on December 29, 2010 for a term beginning December 28, 2010 and ending December 8, 2013. At the time of his appointment, Abramowitz discussed the role of volunteers and the statewide office. "Volunteers are the heart and soul of the office. The role of the state office is to support the volunteers so they can advocate effectively for children and give children a voice."
Abramowitz first volunteered as a guardian ad litem in 1987 representing two children, Gerald and Candice. "Representing them was among the most rewarding experiences I could have as an advocate," said Abramowitz. "The difference a person can make in the life of a child happens every day around the state. Guardians ad litem have a heartfelt commitment to make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children by providing them a credible and conscientious voice in the dependency court system."
Abramowitz previously spent ten years at the Florida Department of Children and Families serving as chief legal counsel for the central Florida area and manager of a variety of regional and statewide offices. Prior to that, Abramowitz served for four years as assistant general counsel for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and also worked as an assistant state attorney for the Tenth Judicial Circuit and an assistant public defender for the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.
Abramowitz holds a Juris Doctorate from Florida State University, Master degrees in Public Administration and Sociology and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Kansas State University. He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats and has served with the United States Peace Corps, United States Army Reserve and Florida Army National Guard. Alan and his wife Jodi have two children.
- § 39.8296, Florida Statutes (2011).
- Photograph from The Guardian, Volume 3, Issue 7, February (2011).
- Abramowitz Appointed to Executive Director of the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office, DCF Press Release, Florida Department of Children and Families (2010).
- Pudlow, Jan, Abramowitz named GAL director, The Florida Bar News (2011).
- Governor Crist Appoints Alan Abramowitz as Executive Director of the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office, Governor's Office Press Release, WCTV (2010).
