NCJ Number
206247
Date Published
March 2004
Length
231 pages
Annotation
This 2003 Status Report of the Child Victims Act Model Courts Project provides a snapshot view of the work of the model courts.
Abstract
Chapter 1 introduces the Child Victims Act Model Courts Project, which as of December 2003, had the participation of 25 jurisdictions in 21 States and the District of Columbia. Model courts improve their court processes to secure better outcomes for the Nation’s at-risk youth. Model courts provide the opportunity to pilot-test and refine innovations in practice and policy and they commit to facilitating reform at the State, regional, and national levels. The key principles and best practices of permanency planning are enumerated to offer a framework through which model courts can work. Chapter 2 presents a matrix that compares and contrasts each model court on key characteristics, including court structure, representation, and alternative dispute resolution options. This is an updated version from the 2001 report. Chapter 3 presents profiles of each of the 24 model courts in operation from September 2002 to September 2003, as well as the 25th model court that joined the Project in March 2003. Each profile summarizes the history of the model court and reviews its best practices; presents a synopsis of 2003 model court goals; lists 2004 model court goals and ongoing initiatives; describes court demographics, and presents a photograph of the court. Chapter 4 describes the 2003 7th All-Sites Conference, convened by the Permanency Planning for Children Department (PPCD) in San Diego, CA, from October 15 through October 17. The 2003 Conference was the largest to date, with almost 180 participants. Chapter 5 describes the range of PPCD initiatives established during 2003 and comments on the training and technical assistance provided to model courts and jurisdictions by the PPCD and briefly describes the work of the PPCD’s Research and Developmental Division. Chapter 6 is a glossary of terms used throughout the publication. Contact information for the Model Court Liaison and the Model Court Lead Judge for each jurisdiction is listed. Tables, figures