When Elkhart County Juvenile Court leaders were looking for inspiration they knew where to turn—to a national championship football team, the Indianapolis Colts. The Blue and White is known for its winning attitude on the field. Elkhart Circuit Court Juvenile Division Magistrate Deborah Domine was looking for someone to inspire that same can-do spirit off the field. She heard Ken Johnson, the Colts Chaplain, speak at another event and knew he was their guy.
“Everybody loves Mr. Johnson. He’s keeps your attention,” explained Magistrate Domine. The Supreme Court awarded a Court Improvement Grant to Elkhart Juvenile Court to host a Community Summit on Children. Johnson served as the Summit’s keynote speaker. “Our courts echo and repeat his message of encouraging kids to fly instead of accepting the status quo,” said Magistrate Domine. It was a message Domine and others believe the community needs to hear.
The Elkhart Juvenile Court sponsored the community summit in an effort to bring together judges, attorneys, youth care providers, educators, case managers, church groups, service groups, correction officers, political leaders, the Department of Child Services, the Health Department, probation officers, prosecutors, social workers, guidance counselors, and public defenders. It was a team effort for children with 250 participants. Magistrate Domine believes it offered practical advice for those who attended and renewed their commitment to work together for the benefit of the children.
Agencies are looking for new ways to work together due to the tough economy, according to Domine. It is challenging to know how other agencies offer their unique brand of support to children in need. After bringing together those with a common interest in helping children, many groups now see how they can collaborate. She says: “There is truth in the ‘it takes a village’ concept. Many of us are working on the same things and moving in the same direction. We should be walking together on that path.” One particular case study showed how empowering it was for a family with children in the system to have positive collaboration among the Department of Child Services, the school, and the psychologist. “The collaboration is free,” explained Domine, “it takes time, but it is worth it. What happens to children affects the entire community. In the long run, I believe it saves time and money to collaborate and make a positive impact now.”
Courts and community leaders wonder if the long hours and hard work are making a difference. Domine said that hearing the success stories was one of the most powerful aspects of the Summit. A number of young adults spoke about their time spent in the system and what they are doing today. One student is president of his class, another is on his way to college, and a third is off probation and attending college. “Hearing the success stories allows you to maintain a commitment to what you are doing, “she said.
The Indiana Court Improvement Program (CIP) provided grant money for the Summit. CIP grants are designed to improve the safety, well-being, and permanency of children and families involved in child abuse and neglect proceedings. The Administration for Children, Youth and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides funding to the program through grants. The Indiana Supreme Court and members of the Court Improvement Program Executive Committee establish priorities and provide direction for the program. The Division of State Court Administration serves as the fiscal administrator of the federal grants, and the Indiana Judicial Center provides program administration.
The Committee will soon be reviewing another round of grant applications and expects to award up to $150,000 to projects that help improve the judicial system for children and families involved in child abuse and neglect proceedings.
For more information on Court Improvement Grants visit courts.in.gov/cip/child-grants.html.