To celebrate National Adoption Day 2017, thirty-two judicial officers allowed families and press the opportunity to photograph and videotape certain uncontested adoption proceedings. The Supreme Court first issued an order authorizing cameras in court in 2012 for National Adoption Day to increase public awareness of the value of adoption. This year approximately 220 children joined […]
Children
Indiana Parenting Time Calendar
Over a year ago, the Domestic Relations Committee, chaired by Judge Christopher Lee, teamed up with the Department of Child Services (DCS) to implement an online calendar tool as an option to help parents and the courts establish parenting time with their children based on the Indiana Parenting Time Guidelines. DCS currently uses printed yearly […]
Child focused tools in juvenile court
Our juvenile courts have several innovative tools available to assist children and youth through the Child in Need of Services (CHINS) and delinquency processes. Courts have the new dual status youth screening and assessment tool that allows courts to better identify crossover youth and to coordinate services for youth, regardless of whether they come into […]
Lake County CASA volunteer wins award from IRTA
The Indiana Retired Teachers Association (IRTA) selected Eugene Wease from Lake County to receive the CASA Award at their Annual Representatives’ Assembly and Awards Luncheon on June 14. Each year, the IRTA recognizes an outstanding member who has served as a CASA director, staff member, or volunteer. The award was presented to Wease by Tom […]
Judiciary in Brief
Law Day in Clark County Judges, magistrates, and attorneys from Clark and Floyd counties,along with the local bar association, put on a Law Day event for kids. Students gave speeches on the reason they are “proud to be an American.” A panel of attorneys from Clark and Floyd counties selected three finalists. A student from […]
Information Sharing Guide
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 […]
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 […]
