Court Observation Form Webinar

1. Court Observation Form Webinar Office of the Child’s Representative November 5th, 2013 | Linda Weinerman, Executive Director

2. Purpose of theCourt Observation Form Webinar • Inform attorneys of the OCR’s court observation process • Share the court observation forms used in D&N and JD cases • Provide data points based on observations from the previous year • Answer questions from OCR attorneys

3. Why does the OCR conduct court observations? Court Observations Provide: • Objective and independent information about OCR attorneys • A sense of child welfare practice in individual judicial districts • An opportunity for self-evaluation during the OCR renewal application and evaluation process

4. OCR’s Considerations • OCR recognizes that court observations provide only a snapshot of an attorney in the courtroom • In evaluating attorneys, OCR considers the following: • Court Observations • Writing Sample • References • CARES Reports • Stakeholder Survey Data • Self-reporting questions on the actual OCR application • The court observation forms represent an evolving process as we fine-tune the questions and categories in the forms

5. Dependency & NeglectCourt Observation Form • Data points collected are based on CJD 04-06 requirements and OCR practice expectations for GALs • Form was designed to collect objective data, as the OCR has multiple observers completing the form • OCR reviews dockets and pulls case information prior to court observations, so that forms are pre-populated with case-specific data

8. Q1) Child present? (including any electronic means) Basis for data point FY13 Data • Nationally recognized best practice • GAL responsibility to give children voice • Statutory provisions: • §19-1-106(5) • § 19-3-502(7) • § 19-3-702(2), (3.7) • Impact on the proceedings • 216 Observations • 358 Children

9. Q2) Was this child given the chance to address the Court? FY13 Data • 216 Observations • 358 Children

10. Q3) Did GAL address efforts to get child to attend? FY13 Data • 216 Observations • 358 Children

11. Q4) Did GAL provide current, independent info about this child? CJD Provision FY13 Data • 04-06(V)(D)(1) • 216 Observations • 358 Children

12. Q5) Did GAL state last contact with child? (In FY13, “...when s/he last saw child?”) CJD Provisions FY13 Data • CJD 04-06(V)(D)(4)(a),(5)(a), 06(V)(D)(5)(b) • CJD 04-06(V)(B) • 216 Observations • 358 Children

13. Q6) Did GAL clearly state a position? CJD Provision FY13 Data • CJD04-06(V)(C) • CJD 04-06(V)(D)(1) • 216 Observations • 358 Children

14. Q7) Did GAL state child’s position? CJD Provision FY13 Data • Providing current information to the court includes a statement of the child’s position, when the child’s position is ascertainable based on the child’s developmental level. CJD 04-06(V)(D)(1) • 216 Observations • 358 Children

15. Juvenile DelinquencyCourt Observation Form • The JD form is a data collection tool, used to inform practice standards and collect general information about GALs in JD cases • The JD form is one way to investigate anecdotal information about GALs in JD cases

18. Questions? • To ask a question, type into the “Questions” box in the GoToWebinar toolbar.