NCJ Number
197840
Date Published
August 2002
Length
105 pages
Annotation
This is a report of research findings on a study of Model Court activities in El Paso, Texas, a court project undertaken to expedite its child abuse and neglect caseload.
Abstract
The research reported on in this bulletin was undertaken to examine various innovative procedures and programs established in the El Paso Model Court to expeditiously process its child abuse and neglect caseload. The goals set by this project and measured in this research included expediting and expanding the court process, expediting and improving the quality of early case planning and delivery of services, supporting non-adversarial options, empowering parents and families, and creative and multiple stakeholder collaboration. Tables include, for example, case file demographics, case flow process; average number of days from removal to ex parte hearing, average days between petition filing, and appointment counsel; number of issues addressed: ex parte hearing order; types of issues specifically addressed: ex parte hearings; average number of days from removal to full adversarial hearing; number of issues addressed: adversary hearing orders; types of issues specifically addressed: adversary hearings; and mediation statistics 19997-2000. Model Court Forms are included such as case processing information; attorney appointment, presenting problems, and placements; and hearing orders.