Florida Guardian ad Litem Academy

Raysa started with the GAL Program in August of 2016 as a Social Work Intern while completing her Bachelor's degree in Social Work at Florida Gulf Coast University.  She was hired as an Assistant CAM upon graduating, moved up to a Staff Advocate CAM position and later to a volunteer supervising position in June 2018.  She is currently working in Lee County with a wonderful team of 12 CAMs and a CAM II.She has carried out a few lunch and learn sessions for volunteers throughout this time.  Prior to joining the Program, Raysa was with the Naples Humane Society for 5 years where she helped train volunteers and supervised her own group with the animal welfare world.  Raysa enjoys the different personalities she gets to work with and appreciates the perspective each volunteer brings to the table to help come up with creative solutions for each case.  She believes the GAL Program is truly one of a kind.  In her own words, Raysa says, "I love my team and I enjoy helping all of my volunteers through their advocacy journey."Daisy RutterChild Advocate Manager II, 1st CircuitDaisy joined the GAL program as a CAM I in July 2014, and two years later became a CAM II. She supervises 10 CAMs, one of whom is a VOCA (Victim of Crime Act) CAM in Escambia County.  She completed her Master’s Degree in Psychology and Mental Health Counseling at Troy University.Her goal is to work with marginalized and vulnerable individuals and this is evident in the career path that she took. Prior to joining GAL, she worked as a practitioner and manager for a non-profit Forensic Mental Health service.  She also worked as a Domestic Violence Risk Assessor and as a Dual Diagnoses Practitioner, providing mental health assessments and therapeutic intervention, in partnership with the magistrate’s court, family court, and probation in London, England. In addition, she briefly took on roles such as a Career/Academic advisor, adjunct teacher, and guest lecturer. Daisy believes her true calling is in advocacy work and working with the GAL program is the answer to that calling. Daisy considers herself lucky to be working with a brilliant team of staff and volunteers in the 1st Circuit. She says, “Empowering an individual has a domino effect. We empower our CAMs and they, in turn, empower their volunteers.”