Taking on the responsibility of caring for two teenagers is no easy task, but for Catrina Palmer, 20, it was a task she was happily willing to take. Palmer and her seven biological siblings were separated at young ages and placed among different foster families and relatives across the United States. She was only seven years old when she and her sister were adopted by a loving Tampa family, and has since tried to make a positive impact in the lives of other at-risk Tampa Bay children.
The University of South Florida senior decided to become guardian ad litem in the fall of 2019, when she was only 19 years old This means she plays an active and significant role in the lives of the two teenagers she oversees and advocates for.
Palmer became guardian ad litem, or legally responsible guardian, through Florida’s Guardian ad Litem Program. The program consists of a four-week training session, additional informational sessions, and an assigned supervisor who eases the transition into the role. The Florida Guardian ad Litem program works with the judicial courts to ensure the best advocation for abused, neglected and abandoned children, a cause Palmer finds herself extremely passionate about.
“I had guardian ad litem at one point. I am a former Hillsborough County foster child, my adopted family fostered children, and just getting to be the big sister to so many has caused me to have a lot of heart and compassion for that situation. It’s not one that is talked about enough. There isn’t an appropriate time, funding, planning, resources, or leadership dedicated to protecting our foster kids,” Palmer noted.
Palmer’s adoptive family lost a child to cancer at a young age and decided to dedicate their lives to helping other children in need and, in 2007, after adopting Palmer, began fostering other children as well. Palmer played an integral role in raising and caring for the multiple children placed in her childhood home. She still tries to stay in contact with them and ensure they are well taken care of, regardless of where in the United States they currently reside.
“Unfortunately, we have the highest number of foster children in the system; more than any other county. If you think about it, Miami-Dade has twice the population, and yet we have more children in foster care.”
In the Tampa Bay area alone, there are over 6,000 kids in the foster care system. Every child in the Florida foster care system is mandated to have guardian ad litem appointed to them, however, there are not enough for each child to be advocated for with close attention. There is a high demand for guardian ad litems, but they are completely volunteer-based, so it’s more difficult to find those willing to dedicate the time necessary to help these children.
“Children with guardian ad litem get out of the system faster, their cases close faster because there is someone fighting for them. They are not being overlooked.”
In addition to the Guardian ad Litem Program, volunteer child advocation programs are also available for those who share the same passion for justice and representation of youth. Registration and more information regarding other programs is available online at: https://guardianadlitem.org/. Volunteering and participation are encouraged.
“They really do need someone on their side when no one else is, to advocate, to fight, and to get to know them. One of my favorite parts and what makes it all worth it, is building relationships with my kids, getting to know what they’re going through and having hope for who they’ll someday become. It really does make every bit of it worth it.”
