NSU Newsroom
SharkBytes
Horizons
This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
NSU Receives Award from Guardian ad Litem & HANDY, Inc. for University’s Work with Abused and Neglected Children in Broward County
DAVIE-FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA – Nova Southeastern University (NSU) last week received the “Special Recognition Award” from the Broward County Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program and HANDY, Inc. for its work in improving the lives of the abused and abandoned children of Broward County. The award ceremony was held Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Signature Grand in Davie.
More than 25 NSU faculty, staff and students volunteer in the GAL program which is a partnership of community advocates and professional staff providing a powerful voice on behalf of Florida’s abused and neglected children. HANDY, Inc. also helps abused and abandoned children. 
“The Guardian ad Litem program provides these children with a voice when they must appear in court. It’s a great responsibility and challenge to help improve the lives of these neglected children in Broward County,” said NSU volunteer Barbara Packer-Muti, Ed.D., Executive Director of Quality Assessment Institutional and Community Engagement who accepted the award on behalf of NSU. Packer- Muti has been a volunteer Guardian ad Litem for four years.
In addition to the volunteer work Packer- Muti and the others do as part of being in the GAL program, NSU also hosts space for training of new GALs. Recently, NSU Chancellor Ray Ferrero, Jr., J.D. ,awarded a Quality of Life Grant for $10,000 to be used in partnership with the Guardian ad Litem 17th District Office to study at Medical Foster Caregivers who work with medically fragile children in dependency in Broward County.
For additional information about the GAL program visit http://www.guardianadlitem.org
For additional information about the HANDY, Inc. program visit http://www.handyinc.org
Media Contact:
Julie Spechler, NSU Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5348 (office), 954-591-3361 (cell), julies@nova.edu