The National Council for Juvenile and Family Court Judges Permanency Planning for Children Department works with a group of juvenile and family courts identified as the Victims Act Model Courts.  

The Model Courts, working with the acclaimed best practices bench books RESOURCE GUIDELINES: Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse & Neglect Cases, and the ADOPTION AND PERMANENCY GUIDELINES , identify impediments to the timeliness of court events and delivery of services for families with children in care, and then design and implement court- and agency-based changes to address these barriers.  For more information about the work of the Model Courts, see the Frequently Asked Questions section. To view current Model Courts in the project see the National Council Model Court Profiles.

To download the Model Court Protocol please click HERE.

To download the Model Court Brochure please click HERE.

2010 UPCOMING TRAININGS AND EVENTS:

Albany, New York, Model Court All-Sites Conference - March 9-10 
Omaha, Nebraska, Model Court Site Visit - March 9
Baltimore, Maryland, Model Court CCC Training - March 24 
Des Moines, Iowa, Cross-Site Visit to New Orleans Model Court - March 29-30
Portland, Oregon, Model Court Site Visit and Implicit Bias & Engaging Families Conference - March 31

Model Court Reunification Day Efforts

Baltimore Model Court

The court celebrates individual reunifications within the Family Recovery Program.  Families are provided with gift bags that include age appropriate items for the children.

Des Moines Model Court

For the last three years, the Des Moines Model Court has been having a reunification day picnic in Polk County, Iowa.  The idea was formulated when a social worker noted that they were celebrating adoption, but not reunification.  The first year of the picnic DHS participated and coordinated the event.  The picnic is open to the community and they rely on agency social workers to reach out to families and make sure that they know about the event.  The first year, people raised concerns about putting an event like this together –  a primary concern was judges interacting with parties attending the event ex parte.  They went forward with event despite concerns and it has been a huge success.  This year, the reunification picnic is scheduled for June 19. For more detailed information about the efforts of the Des Moines Model Court please click HERE.

Los Angeles Model Court

Inspired by what he saw happening in Iowa with their reunification celebration picnics, Model Court Lead Judge Michael Nash, Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles County Juvenile Court, raised the idea with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).  DCFS leadership liked the idea and together with Judge Nash presented the idea of celebrating family reunifications to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared the week beginning March 1, 2010, as Family Reunification Week.  Judge Michael Nash is directing that all courts issue a "Family Reunification Certificate," at termination of jurisdiction, similar to those issued at Adoption proceedings.  These certificates should be given when a family was previously reunified (returned to a parent, or guardian) and the jurisdiction is now being terminated. For detailed information about the efforts of the Los Angeles Model Court please click HERE.
 
Miami Model Court

A sub-committee comprised of various child welfare stakeholders is currently planning a Mother's Day Reunification Event to occur on May 6.  In addition, Family Reunification Day began two years ago as recognition to families who have regained custody of their children and have demonstrated great accomplishments after being affected by substance abuse and/or mental health issues.  The event for this year will take place on May 6 and will recognize 10 families.

To access the American Bar Association (ABA) Reunification Day efforts please click HERE.
 

Please click here for information about the Juvenile Delinquency Guidelines and the Delinquency Model Courts Project.

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