The NCJFCJ will use its experience and expertise to make system improvements in court processes that will improve the judicial system's handling of child abuse, neglect, and related cases, with a specific emphasis on the role of the courts in addressing reasonable efforts that can safely avoid unnecessary and unnecessarily prolonged foster care placement. The NCJFCJ will accomplish this by:
- Developing a model approach and procedures for coordinating information and services for families involved in court-related child abuse and neglect cases.
- Developing training and technical assistance (TTA) that supports this model approach to coordinated case management by the courts.
- Implementing evidence-based practices to improve the courts’ handling of child abuse, neglect, and related cases.
- Developing and guiding administrative improvements in juvenile and family courts.
- Developing and delivering TTA to judicial personnel and attorneys in juvenile and family courts, including specialized training on handling families impacted by opioids.
- Developing and disseminating best practices, innovations, and lessons learned from this model project at the national level.
These system reforms will be directed at the local, state, and national levels with a concentration on a system change collaborative, and they will be achieved by targeted training for state court and Tribal court judges and other juvenile and family court professionals; onsite tailored technical assistance; assessment of court practices; and dissemination of strategies for improved practice in juvenile and family courts. The NCJFCJ also will develop and deliver specialized training for judicial personnel on handling families impacted by opioids.