Over the last several years, state trial courts throughout the country have faced the dual problems of fluctuating caseloads and declining court funding. Indiana’s trial courts have risen to this challenge to do more with less, and have frequently looked for innovative ways by which to fill their budget gaps.
One of these ways is through Indiana’s Court Reform Grant program, funded through federal reimbursements for previously uncollected federal reimbursements associated with Title IV-D child support enforcement actions. Since 2008, the Indiana Supreme Court has awarded nearly $1.7 million in grant funding to more than 60 trial courts and judicial agencies for projects aimed at improvements in the administration of justice and other innovations.
During the 2013 grant cycle, the Supreme Court, through its Division of State Court Administration (Division), received a record 37 applications—more than the 2011 and 2012 grant cycles combined—seeking nearly $1.1 million in funding. Division staff and the Supreme Court then faced the very difficult task of winnowing down these requests to fit within the parameters of about $350,000 of available funding.
Each of the projects supported in 2013 are representative of the types of improvements and innovations funded through the grant program.
Veterans’ courts
The Court awarded $40,000 to District #23 (covering Floyd, Scott, and Clark counties) to develop a coordinated, district-wide strategy to identify and screen veterans for eligibility and participation in a Veterans’ Court. The Court also awarded $40,000 to LaPorte County to establish a Veterans Treatment Court, train Veterans Court team members and conduct research and data collection.
Domestic violence court
The Court awarded $40,000 to Lawrence County to establish a Domestic Violence Problem-Solving Court with enhanced judicial monitoring of DV offenders. This program will also provide victims and families with on-site victim advocacy throughout the court process.
Court services
Dearborn County received $40,000 to create a court services program, which will unify the operations of the Dearborn Superior Courts Probation Department and Southeastern Regional Community Corrections. This umbrella program will incorporate probation, community corrections, work release, drug court, veterans’ court, court Alcohol and Drug Program, and Jail Chemical Addiction Program, and help improve communication and efficiency among these programs and services.
Court facility improvements
Floyd County received approximately $36,000 to implement a “way finding” project, similar to one pioneered by Allen County during the 2011–2012 grant cycle. The Floyd County court building was recently remodeled, and can be confusing and intimidating to litigants. The court plans to install electronic signage that will display Odyssey case information, juror information, information for unrepresented litigants, and other information to assist litigants.
The Supreme Court noted the high caliber of proposals submitted during this year’s grant cycle and expressed confidence that those programs selected for grant funding will improve the level of services provided to litigants, as well as serve as models for other counties who wish to emulate them.