J. Wester Crockett

Child Advocate Manager @Florida Guardian Ad Litem Office

Gainesville, FL, US

The Child Advocate Manager position encompasses a broad range of managerial, consultative, administrative, advocacy and leadership functions. The Child Advocate Manager supervises a group of GAL child advocate volunteers and conducts home visits in the field. Consults with assistant child advocate managers and members of the child advocacy team before court appearances. Oversees the work of GAL child advocate volunteers. Investigates, gathers and documents pertinent case information. Provides best interests advocacy recommendations to the advocacy team along with other written reports to the court. Attends internal and external case-related court hearings, depositions, case plan conferences, dependency mediations and interagency staffings. Assists and consults with assigned caseload children, caregivers, schools or service providers. Utilizes the GAL, County and State databases and reporting systems. Participates in internal and external training, meetings and conferences. Overall program subject matter expert who advises, coaches, manages, and supports Volunteer Child Advocates within the team model of advocacy. Frequently undertaking the role and responsibilities of a Guardian ad Litem for a child when a Volunteer Child Advocate is not available. ​The Child Advocate Manager provides support and resources to the Volunteer Child Advocate and CBI Attorneys. ​ The CAM maintains contact with other agencies, ensures services for the child are in place, while maintaining contact with volunteer and updating the Child\'s Best Interest Attorney as to status of the child.

University of Cambridge

Doctor of Law (J.D.), Sidney Sussex College - Study Abroad Comparative Law Program

Samford University

Doctor of Law (J.D.), Law

University of Florida

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), History