As a child advocate with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Vanessa Golaub is dedicated to making a difference in families’ lives. With six years of experience in child welfare and two years with the tribe, Golaub currently works with the advocacy and guardianship department.

“The Advocacy Department within the Seminole Tribe of Florida ensures the safety and well-being of children and families in crisis,” Golaub said. “As part of this department, our advocacy program focuses on immediate crisis intervention and stabilization for families with children at risk. As Child advocates we work closely with families both in-home and out-of-home, offering case management, parenting support, child development education, and counseling for issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health challenges.”

April is national Child Abuse Prevention Month and child abuse prevention week, or Blue Ribbon Week, is April 7 – 11, during which preschool Superhero Day will be on April 9 and the child abuse awareness
community walk is at 3 p.m. on April 10. For the 10th annual child abuse awareness community walk and ice cream social on April 10, wear blue and meet at these locations: Hollywood (gym), Immokalee (gym), Big Cypress (gym), Lakeland (main gate), Brighton (tribal office).

“Child Abuse Prevention Month is incredibly impactful because it brings awareness to an issue that affects the well-being of children and the future of our communities. Within the Seminole Tribe, the importance of protecting and nurturing Seminole youths is deeply rooted in the culture and traditions. Our children represent the next generation, and it is our responsibility to ensure they grow up in a safe, supportive environment,” Golaub said.

Along with promoting available resources and support, Golaub said recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month opens an opportunity to educate people about those topics.

“It’s a time to strengthen our commitment to the safety of our children and empower our community to take action. When we invest in the well-being of our youth, we are preserving our heritage, strengthening our families, and building a healthier future for everyone,” Golaub said.

Golaub’s role as a child advocate includes home visits, monitoring child welfare, providing support for court appearances and secures resources and services for families.

“Our goal is to provide guidance, support, and intervention to ensure every child has a safe and stable environment while respecting the Tribe’s cultural values,” Golaub said. “Our goal is to provide the necessary resources and support to help families overcome challenges, strengthen their ability to stay together, and ensure the safety of Seminole children while respecting the Tribe’s cultural values.”

The most emotional part of her job, she said, is if a child is removed from a family’s care. It
impacts “your whole entire being. When it comes to emotional, physical, mental being.”

“The impactful part is working with the families, working with the caregivers, the parents, whenever children are removed from their care, working with them throughout however long of a process it is, whether it’s a year or longer. And it’s taken … different steps to get to where they need to be. When they
actually reach that goal, it makes you feel good. Makes them feel even better, too,” Golaub said. “To know that you actually help that family get to where they wanted to be or where they need to be, especially for younger kids, that’s where it becomes the most impactful for me.”

The department’s main goal is child safety, she said, and family preservation. Golaub said the two go hand-in-hand. Something she hopes people remember is how important protecting children is.

“I believe, even if it’s not your child, protecting our children is very vital in any situation. … We were given the opportunity to work with a specific community, and I feel like given that opportunity is a big deal for us or should be a big deal. But that’s what I would like for [readers] to take away. The children are our future, and our job is to protect them.”