Frequently Asked Questions About National Council Model Courts

Since 1992, the National Council’s Model Courts Project, with funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, has been striving to improve outcomes for abused and neglected children and their families. In recent years, a number of jurisdictions have approached the PPCD with a desire to become a Model Court. However, due to funding constraints, no opportunities exist to add Model Courts through the federal project. Therefore, the PPCD is working with jurisdictions with independent funding who are interested in joining the Model Court movement to benefit their jurisdiction’s abused and neglected children. In responding to requests, the PPCD is frequently asked the following questions by jurisdictions interested in becoming a National Council Model Court.

1. What is a National Council Model Court?

National Council Model Courts serve as both advocates of change and models for change in child protection cases. Drawing upon the best practice principles of the RESOURCE GUIDELINES and ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY GUIDELINES,  the Model Courts are continually assessing their child abuse and neglect case processing, focusing on barriers to timely permanency, developing and instituting plans for court improvement, and working collaboratively to effect systems change. Model Courts serve as national “laboratories” for meaningful systems change in how child abuse and neglect cases are processed through the court and through the child protection system. Moreover, Lead Judges and Model Court Team members develop expertise in a wide variety of areas related to improved court practice and systems change efforts. Currently, a nationwide network of 29 Model Courts represent jurisdictions from metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, to smaller rural communities. These Model Courts are located in 24 states and the District of Columbia.

2. What does the term “Model” mean?

The use of the term “model” is not meant to imply that the National Council Model Courts have achieved ideal practice or created the perfect system. Rather, the Model Courts serve as models for facilitating systems change. Although each Model Court works toward achieving specific child-based and systemic outcomes, each also focuses on ensuring that a process is in place so that reform efforts are continual, encouraged, and, to every extent possible, proactive, as identified in the RESOURCE GUIDELINES.

3. What is the value of being a National Council Model Court?

The greatest value of becoming a National Council Model Court is that each court belongs to a network of professionals engaged in integrating change while providing vast opportunities for sharing information. Being part of such an organized network allows for interaction with and support from colleagues; brainstorming on common issues and challenges; sharing of information and learning lessons from other jurisdictions; expediting implementation and innovation of improved practice and processes; and engaging in national dialogues on child abuse and neglect issues.

Model Courts continually work to implement reforms and improve practices based on the NCJFCJ’s RESOURCE GUIDELINES  and ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY GUIDELINES.  They are committed to assessing how court processes work in everyday practice; implementing a collaborative structure; and determining how well courts meet federal and statutory requirements, how well social service agencies meet their clients’ needs, and how well the child protection system as a whole meets the needs of the children and families it serves.

Achievements of the National Council Model Courts include establishing cross-system collaborations; shortening timeframes for children and decreasing the number of cases under court supervision; and focusing on increasing reunifications and adoptions with an emphasis on providing safe, stable and permanent homes for children.

4. What is the value of working with the PPCD?

PPCD’s staff represent a wide variety of professional disciplines, including law, social work, psychology, and public policy, and are available to offer expertise in numerous areas concerning juvenile and family law. Each Model Court is assigned an individual Model Court Liaison who is a highly trained professional in permanency planning issues. Model Court Liaisons serve as direct service providers who can help arrange site visits; tailor trainings to specific court needs; assist in generating reports and publications; and connect Model Court Teams with other PPCD and NCJFCJ staff and the Model Court network.

Through working with National Council Model Courts from across the country, the PPCD learns about local practice challenges and innovations, and works to integrate Model Court initiatives and reform efforts into local, state, regional, and national trainings while continuing to make a concerted effort to increase national awareness of Model Courts and permanency planning issues. The PPCD serves as a central point-of-contact for all Model Courts, acting as a conduit for disseminating information nationwide through publications, conferences, and trainings. These trainings and technical assistance are provided to Model Courts by their assigned Model Court Liaison, PPCD staff and faculty. Training faculty may be nationally or locally recognized speakers on given topics, representatives from other Model Courts, or PPCD staff. New Model Courts also expand the network of professionals, the array of information-sharing, and potential PPCD faculty.

5. Who can serve as a Lead Judge?

A variety of judges can serve as Model Court Lead Judges, including Chief, Presiding, Senior, Supervising, Administrative, Associate, Deputy, District Court, and Tribal Judges. Some Model Courts see both a judge and other judicial officer team as Lead Judges.

Dockets that many Lead Judges carry include juvenile justice, dependency, delinquency, child welfare and protection, domestic relations, domestic violence, custody, support/paternity, and family law. Small, rural and tribal communities may have general jurisdiction judges who hear all types of cases, with only a portion of their caseloads pertaining to juvenile justice and family law. These judges may also serve as Lead Judges.

Judge-supervised judicial officers can be appropriate alternatives when judges face increasing child abuse and neglect caseloads. In these circumstances, the supervising judge must have the decision-making authority to implement change in child abuse and neglect cases.

Overall, Lead Judges must be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience with child abuse and neglect case types. You must be willing to take a visible leadership role and to work collaboratively with multi-system stakeholders, including the NCJFCJ.  Finally, you must be committed to improving the lives of children and families in your community and the nation.

6. What is the time commitment required of the Lead Judge?

Becoming a Model Court Lead Judge requires a unique, personal commitment of energy and time on and off the bench. Systemic improvement is a multi-year, multi-phase, multi-systems change process that evolves through leadership, legislation, policy, and personnel. The commitment must be initially made by a judge willing to accept the responsibility to spearhead systems reform efforts specifically aimed at improving the lives of children and families at risk of abuse and neglect.

NOTE: If you are currently in a jurisdiction with a system of frequent judicial rotations, the PPCD would wish to discuss this issue with you as it could impact your jurisdiction’s eligibility for becoming a contract Model Court.

7. What is the role of the Lead Judge?

The leadership role of the Lead Judge is critical to the success of Model Court reform efforts at the local, state, and national levels. Being a Lead Judge requires being directly involved in reform efforts through implementing the RESOURCE GUIDELINES  and ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY GUIDELINES, and openness to ongoing evaluation and critical reflection by Model Court Liaisons and PPCD staff. Being a Lead Judge requires a personal commitment to making system reforms.

Lead Judges must:

• Establish a team of major stakeholders (Model Court Team) and an Advisory Committee.
• Review RESOURCE GUIDELINES  and ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY GUIDELINES, and take steps to implement them within your jurisdiction.
• Hold regular meetings with multidisciplinary stakeholders and share information with fellow Lead Judges, Model Court Team members, and other jurisdictions about best practices and NCJFCJ initiatives.
• Work with your assigned Model Court Liaison and Model Court Team to draft a mission statement that reflects the collective vision for improved practice. Maintain ongoing and regular communication with your Model Court Liaison and, together, work to assess current practice; establish court improvement goals; engage in strategic planning; and schedule site visits, cross-site visits, trainings, and technical assistance relevant to your contract Model Court’s specific needs.
• Attend the Annual Lead Judges Meeting and All-Sites Conference to report on activities and participate in goal-setting and networking opportunities with other Model Courts.
• Be or become an NCJFCJ member and encourage your colleagues to join.
• Serve as PPCD faculty and train other judges on best practices and reform efforts.

8. Who makes up the Model Court Team?

Model Court Teams can include, but are not limited to: judges; child welfare administrators, supervisors and frontline case workers; child advocates including attorneys, CASAs, and guardians ad litem; parents’ attorneys; prosecutors; agency attorneys; court administrators; court improvement specialists; community members; and direct service providers.

Model Court Teams must meet frequently to discuss system reform and best practices. In some Model Courts, these teams are co-chaired by Lead Judges and agency department heads. Some Model Courts have expanded team memberships that include former foster care youth, foster parents, and educators. Your jurisdiction should work closely with your Model Court Liaison to identify the appropriate team members. Overall, a strong Model Court Team must be committed to effecting system reforms based on the RESOURCE GUIDELINES  and ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY GUIDELINES.

9. What is the role of the Model Court Liaison?

Each National Council Model Court is assigned a Model Court Liaison who serves as a direct service provider. Model Court Liaisons are highly trained professionals in permanency planning issues. The Model Court Liaisons and PPCD staff represent a wide variety of professional disciplines, including law, social work, psychology, and public policy, and are available to offer expertise in numerous areas concerning juvenile and family law. The Liaisons work closely with Model Courts to assess, develop, prioritize, and achieve court and system improvement goals and to help facilitate systems change efforts. Liaisons conduct site visits and cross-site visits with their Model Courts to observe court practice; conduct interviews with the Lead Judge and stakeholders; generally learn as much as possible about the practices, policies, state statutes and personalities of the Model Courts; participation in meetings; participate in and observe advisory group or other meetings; and provide constructive feedback. Liaisons arrange logistical support and provide substantive knowledge. They also coordinate trainings and technical assistance to the Model Courts based on areas of need, improvement, and support.

Model Court Liaisons are responsible for communicating with the PPCD Director, Assistant Directors, staff, and their Model Court teams on a regular basis. Liaisons balance individual efforts in Model Courts with teamwork, collaborative planning, and decision-making with PPCD staff members. The Liaisons also serve as conduits of information across and within the Model Courts both at the local and state levels, as well as among the Model Courts and other PPCD initiatives and projects.

10. What are the expectations of the PPCD for the contract Model Courts?

The PPCD expects the contract Model Court to meet the following collaboration and systems change benchmarks in a 12/15 month period:

Phase 1 (Months 1-5):
• Designate Lead Judge who has made a personal commitment to making system reforms.
• Establish team of major stakeholders.
• Review RESOURCE GUIDELINES  and ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY GUIDELINES and take steps to implement them.
• With assistance from a Model Court Liaison, begin process to draft a mission statement reflecting the collective vision for improved practice.
• Disseminate information about Model Court reform efforts to other appropriate judges and stakeholders.
• Work with Model Court Liaison to assess current practice, establish court improvement goals, and schedule an initial training and technical assistance needs assessment site visit by PPCD staff.
• Take steps to generate buy-in from community and multi-system stakeholders.

Phase 2 (Months 6-10)
• Work with Model Court Liaison to develop opportunities tailored to the contract Model Court’s needs, such as cross-site visits; a multidisciplinary training regarding topic(s) relevant to the identified goals of the court and other systems stakeholders; holding meetings and roundtables; and establishing focus groups.
• Continue ongoing evaluation and self-assessment of best practices and processes.

Phase 3 (Months 11-15)
• Continue assessment of practice, case processing timelines, and collaborative structure in order to target areas for reform and improvements.
• Continue ongoing self-assessment and implementation of the RESOURCE GUIDELINES and ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY GUIDELINES.
• Engage in strategic planning.

The Model Court Lead Judge and team members are required to attend the PPCD’s annual Lead Judges Meeting and All-Sites Conference. The Conference provides an opportunity for all Model Courts to come together to assess progress and goal achievement, identify challenges, and brainstorm potential solutions. Courts are required to submit a report on their court goals, present at the conference, and share information with other attending courts. Also, many Lead Judges are asked to serve as PPCD faculty, training other judges on best practices and reform efforts.

More specific benchmarks may be developed with the Model Court Team, including the Lead Judge, and the Model Court Liaison and PPCD staff. 

11. Is there an evaluation component?

Under certain circumstances, National Council Model Court jurisdictions work with Model Court Liaisons and PPCD’s Research Division to evaluate programs or court improvement protocols. The Research Division provides research and evaluation technical assistance for juvenile and family courts across the nation. The Division works closely with the Model Court Liaisons to develop valid and reliable assessment instruments and to evaluate Model Court processes and outcomes.

A Lead Judge may request evaluation consultations that can include strategic planning, research design, case file review, hearing observations, meeting and conducting interviews with stakeholders, observation and participation in team meetings, data analysis, report writing, and meeting with the Lead Judge to review findings. Any on-site training programs or cross-site visits are also evaluated, usually by participants. If a contract Model Court is interested in adding a formal evaluation component, this can be accomplished through the scope of the contract.

12. Does the project have an end date?

Although each of the National Council Model Courts works toward achieving specific child-based and systemic outcomes, each is also focused on ensuring that a process is in place so that reform efforts are ongoing and, to every extent possible, proactive rather than reactive. Primary goals of Model Courts are to support sustainability and build capacity for ongoing system change. The goal of systems reform, therefore, is to develop an ideal-seeking system that is continually progressing and actively learning. Thus, improving a system and effecting change is an ongoing and continual process of reform, refinement, and review. Improving a system is the result of an ongoing process of change which, ideally, never ends. Although this process of change is ongoing, the beginning and end dates for the individual contract Model Courts are defined by their contracts.
 
13. What is the relationship between Model Court and State Court Improvement Project?

Both Model Courts and State Court Improvement Projects (CIP) share similar goals of improving court practices and implementing court reform, by benchmarking court and social service applications; identifying and clarifying the court’s role in protecting the rights of children and families; overseeing implementation of effective case planning; collaborating with service providers and other stakeholders; and expediting outcomes for children awaiting permanency.

Model Courts and State CIPs often collaborate in co-sponsoring events, trainings, and site visits; sharing funding and oversight; and working together to integrate change. In some states, such as New York, the Model Courts are also State CIP demonstration courts. Some Model Court jurisdictions, such as in Toledo, Ohio, are funded by their State CIP. The Salt Lake City Model Court’s Advisory Committee serves as the steering committee for its State CIP. A number of Model Courts are engaged in outreach efforts with their State CIPs to develop and integrate court reform efforts.

The PPCD encourages all Model Courts to work closely with their state CIPs to implement and support ongoing system reform efforts, both locally and statewide.

14. If there are multiple National Council Model Courts in each state, what is the coordination between each Model Court and how does it affect the Model Court Liaison assignments? 

National Council Model Courts within a state can consist of urban, suburban, rural, and tribal jurisdictions. Although each Model Court focuses on its own local issues, challenges, and development while generating buy-in from local stakeholders, statewide coordination among each site is also crucial. To recognize local needs, each local district has a Model Court Liaison assigned to it to help coordinate problem-solving initiatives and provide tailored support. The Liaison will assist in coordinating potential statewide trainings which meet the best interests of the state’s Model Courts.

15. What funding opportunities are available?

Jurisdictions should consider multiple sources to fund their Model Courts, including State CIP, private foundations, and other local sources. The PPCD can assist with researching potential funders and with the grant writing process.

We have provided the above framework for your reference and we encourage you to access the publications page for further resources.   

If your jurisdiction is interested in becoming a National Council Model Court, contact Nancy B. Miller, PPCD Director, at (775) 784-6675 or nmiller@ncjfcj.org .  Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you!