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ARF- 3996

Regular Agenda Item 3. F.

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	10/04/2016
Submitted By:	Jonathan Bearup, Court Administrator
Department:	Superior Court	Division:	Superior Court Administration

Information

Request/Subject

Superior Court's Dependency Case Processing Initiative application to the Administrative Office of the Courts, Dependent Children's Services Division.

Background Information

House Bill 2695 authorized $3,000,000 in funding to superior courts throughout the State for dependency case processing. The monies are regulated through the Administrative Office of the Courts, Dependent Children's Services Division. Each county has been encouraged to develop a dependency case processing initiative to expedite permanency for dependent children removed from their homes due to abandonment, abuse, or neglect. Gila County's allotment would be a total of $18,980 over Fiscal Year 2016-2017 and Fiscal Year 2017-2018.

Evaluation

The Superior Court of Gila County has developed a two-year pilot program to expedite permanency in dependency cases that meets the criteria established by the Administrative Office of the Courts, Dependent Children's Services Division. The local pilot program would establish a "Progress Conference" schedule in which a "Progress Facilitator" authorized under A.R.S. 8-846(C), would meet with the parents in dependency actions to discuss an action plan for family reunification and to facilitate contacts with service providers. The Superior Court of Gila County already conducts regular Report and Review Hearings on a compressed ninety (90) day cycle; the "Progress Conferences" would occur at forty-five (45) day intervals between the court hearings. The "Progress Conferences" would offer an informal and educational setting in which to provide additional support to parents. This intensive approach to dependency case management should assist parents; prevent recidivism; and expedite permanency for dependent children. The funding available from the Administrative Office of the Courts, Dependent Children's Services Division, would provide all service and supply costs associated with the pilot - there would be no draw upon Gila County's general funds.

Conclusion

The Superior Court of Gila County would like to take advantage of this funding opportunity to provide an intensive support function for parents in dependency actions. By assisting the parents to fulfill the reunification requirements, permanency for the children involved would predictably be expedited. The Court's program would be entirely funded by the grant.

Recommendation

The Superior Court of Gila County respectfully recommends that the Gila County Board of Supervisors approve the Court's application to the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion/Action to authorize the submission of the Superior Court's Dependency Case Processing Initiative application to the Arizona Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts, to obtain $18,980 over fiscal years 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 to provide an intensive support function for parents in dependency actions. (Jon Bearup)

Attachments
2 Gila DCPI Application