Our trial court judges will continue to see in their courtrooms many children in need of services, and too many juveniles who are in trouble, as the new year begins on January 1, 2009. Someone will still have to foot the bill for taking care of these children and juveniles, but who pays for these services will dramatically change on the first day of the new year. This article takes the reader behind the scenes in s … [Read more...] about State Funding of CHINS and Juvenile Services on Track for January 1 Transfer
Features
Training the Front Lines
When someone comes into a courthouse looking for help, it’s usually the court or clerk’s office staff who leads them in the right direction. It is court and clerk employees who get questions from self-represented litigants and tell the media where court records can be found. Staff members are expected to be the front lines of public service, yet on-going training is not always available for the personnel who inter … [Read more...] about Training the Front Lines
Listserv for Court Administrators
How many court administrators does it take to screw in a light bulb? Old joke, new answer—as many as you need to get the job done. The development of the court administrator’s listserv allows for an entire group of experts to help one person solve his problem. A listserv is a networking tool that allows groups to communicate quickly. Everyone on the distribution list can easily email each other with questions. It … [Read more...] about Listserv for Court Administrators
Court Reform Grants
REFORM: to improve by alteration, correction of error, or removal of defects; put into a better form or condition. Courts in eighteen counties have submitted 23 separate proposals to explore new ways of doing things. From these thoughtful proposals, the Supreme Court selected six to become the first recipients of funding from the new Court Reform Grant project announced this past spring. (See the March/April e … [Read more...] about Court Reform Grants
Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Law Cases
Judge Elizabeth Tavitas presides in Lake County Superior Court Civil Division 3 where she partners with magistrates and family law attorneys to help parents spend less time in court and more time focused on their children and areas of agreement. Across Indiana, courts are embracing cooperative parenting and Alternative Dispute Resolution programs to give litigants the tools needed to become partners where possible … [Read more...] about Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Law Cases