Mobile app provides guidance on sharing children’s records Do you know how to obtain children’s educational, court, or health records? Do you know under what circumstances you can share these records with others? There is a mobile app to help you with these complex questions: the Information Sharing Guide. The Commission on Improving the Status […]
Children
2017 CASA Day Celebration
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers took part in a celebration at the State House on March 20, 2017, sponsored by the Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana Office of Court Services, GAL/CASA. More than 400 people from across the state clothed in blue t-shirts filled its north atrium, chanting “I am for the child” and “I […]
Canine Companions
Courthouse dogs join CASA programs to help kids in court The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program in Delaware County just added a new four-legged member to its staff. Frankie, a two-year old female black lab, started her job at the CASA program in April. Frankie is one of only two dogs in Indiana specifically […]
Celebrating Adoption Day
National Adoption Day photos reflect smiling faces, happy moms and dads, and lots of hugs. The Indiana Supreme Court in 2012 first authorized broadcast coverage of adoption proceedings in celebration of this special day. Since then, over 500 children have found their “forever families” in 23 Indiana counties on this special day. Participating judges celebrate […]
CASA Strong
Leaders, volunteers turn out for CASA Day at the State House A sea of about 350 volunteers in matching blue shirts filled the North Atrium of the State House on March 7, for CASA Day, an annual rally that connects CASA volunteers with lawmakers. Governor Mike Pence and Chief Justice Loretta Rush made remarks to […]
When Stars Align
For many years, those working in the juvenile justice system have been concerned with the children that are involved with, and have needs in, both the juvenile delinquency and child welfare systems. Juvenile judges, juvenile probation officers and Department of Child Services’ case managers have lamented for years the imaginary firewall that existed between juvenile […]
Justice David receives national award for work with children
Indiana Supreme Court Justice Steve H. David recently received national recognition for his work with children in court. Justice David was presented with the Annie E. Casey Foundation Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) Distinguished System Leadership Award. He accepted the award on behalf of the Court family saying, “My role is easy when you have […]
CIP Timeliness Measures help provide timely assistance for children involved in legal matters
Courts across Indiana are finding new ways to evaluate and improve outcomes for children in their counties through the use of a new application on INcite, CIP Timeliness Measures. The application was created through funding from the Court Improvement Program (CIP). The Court Improvement Program is a federal grant program administered by the United States […]
Teen dating abuse: What you need to know
The words “teen dating” usually bring to mind awkward silences, shy smiles, and high school proms. But for some adolescents and teens, dating also involves behaviors that the court system would recognize as stalking, battering, or worse. Research into teen dating violence is ongoing—the National Institute of Justice is currently sponsoring a very large study […]
Children Who Witness Violence
I once heard a judge compare her civil protection order docket to an emergency room—especially the ex parte cases. What an apt comparison! Judges and court staff often deal with people who have been physically, mentally, and emotionally traumatized when they consider ex parte protection orders. Violence of any kind is traumatic to human beings, […]
