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Moving Forward While the World is Standing Still

Moving Forward While the World is Standing Still. Advancing The Court’s Self Help Program in Times of Economic Uncertainty. Presenters. Diane Bras, Family Law Facilitator, Placer County Superior Court Carla Khal, Family Law Facilitator, Tulare County Superior Court

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Moving Forward While the World is Standing Still

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  1. Moving Forward While the World is Standing Still Advancing The Court’s Self Help Program in Times of Economic Uncertainty

  2. Presenters • Diane Bras, Family Law Facilitator, Placer County Superior Court • Carla Khal, Family Law Facilitator, Tulare County Superior Court • Monica Mitchell, Supervising Attorney, Self Help Services, San Bernardino Superior Court • Lollie Roberts, Supervising Family Law Facilitator, Sacrament Superior Court • Fariba Soroosh, Supervising Attorney, Self Help Center/Family Law Facilitator's Office, Santa Clara County Superior Court

  3. Keys to Success • A successful Self Help Program has each of these elements: • Strong Support from Court Administration • Strong Support from Judicial Officers • Highly Motivated Self Help Staff • Positive Image among Self-Represented Litigants

  4. Court Administrators: Needs • Information • Assistance • Resources

  5. Court Administrators: Values • Connections • Knowledge • Support • Efficiency • Progress • Accomplishments

  6. Judicial Officers: Needs • Information – “Who are you and what do you do?” • Keep communication lines open • Keep expectations realistic • Make sure rotating bench officers are educated about your services • Meet often with assigned bench officers • Make sure they encounter your “good” work daily

  7. Judicial Officers: Needs • Resources – “What have you done for me lately?” • Evaluate each courtroom to determine the individual needs of that bench officer • Distribute your assets wisely • The only flexibility you control is your own • Make sure bench officers are educated about outside resources/referrals for litigants

  8. Judicial Officers: Values • Efficiency – Make time to make them happy • As demand increases, so must your creativity • As resources dwindle, make sure your staff is efficient and indispensable • Respect – Be politely political • Know the personality of your bench officers • Learn to educate the bench discreetly • Train your staff not to offer opinions on bench officers to patrons

  9. Judicial Officers: Values • Organization – Constantly be consistent • Never leave the bench wondering how you spend your day • Seek judicial input on the organization of your staff time and resources • Avoid disruptions to services or unexpected changes to schedules • Accomplishments – Be a positive reflection • Promote the work of the entire division in the community • When your work is recognized, share the credit

  10. Self Help Staff: Needs • Information • Support • Ownership

  11. Self Help Staff: Values Recognition • Catching the good • Personality matching • Backing them up • Sharing the perks

  12. Self Help Staff: Values Communication • Positive meetings • “Staff Good News” • Training (or venting) • Backing up staff Learning Opportunities • Delegate creativity • Volunteer training

  13. Self Help Staff: The Value of Bribery

  14. Self-Represented Litigants: Values • Honesty • Respect • Understanding • Fairness

  15. Self-Represented Litigants: Success • Consistency • Reasonable Expectations • Transparent Complexity • Efficiency • Set the Tone for Success

  16. Closing Thoughts • Your Program Can Grow Stronger at Any Time If You Remember to Focus on the Essentials: • Support • Communication • Innovation

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