NCJ Number
180961
Date Published
February 2000
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This information packet and videoconference provide background on the challenges that courts experience in addressing child abuse and neglect cases; state-of-the-art information about how to improve the handling of these cases; and profiles of Model Court programs in Newark, NJ, Louisville, KY, and El Paso, TX, designed to achieve timely permanent placements.
Abstract
The videoconference took place on February 10, 2000, and was part of a project established by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges with funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The project's goal is to educate judges and other practitioners on the need to secure permanent placements expeditiously for all maltreated children, either by making it possible for them to return home safely or finding them safe adoptive homes. The project aims to prevent future victimization of abused and neglected children through improved court policies and practices. The project involves 20 Model Courts around the country. The model courts have implemented a variety of programs that other courts can replicate. They also provide mentoring to other courts. The videoconference discussions emphasize the importance of judicial leadership, community collaborations, and other elements crucial to the success of these programs. The videoconference lasted 2.5 hours and included overviews of the issues involved, as well as profiles of each model court followed by a panel discussion and participant call-in comments. The panelists included judges from the profiled courts, another juvenile court judge, a representative of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, a representative of the Children's Bureau of the Department of Health and Human services, and a representative of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. List of model courts, resource list, order form for publications, and related information