Children and Families in the Courts Committee

This committee was formed according to Idaho Code section 32-1403. Its tasks include:

1. To implement a coordinated family court services plan for a comprehensive response that addresses the needs of children and family members who are faced with one or more court actions involving family issues such as divorce, child support, child custody and visitation disputes, domestic violence, child protection/foster care, and juvenile correction proceedings.

2. To develop innovative case management practices designed to promote an efficient use of family and court resources. The Committee shall investigate an expansion of non-adversarial alternative dispute procedures that assist in resolving high conflict family issues that are damaging to children, supervised child visitation when certain risk factors are present, and the adoption of pilot projects that promote timely and effective resolution of related disputes in court cases involving children and families. The plan also includes the use of family court coordinators and court assistance officers.

3. To coordinate with judicial district planning efforts and other Idaho Supreme Court Committees having an impact on children and families.

4. To examine and consider long-term funding strategies to permit development and implementation of family services and justice planning activities. This includes examining grants for family service projects, potential increases in state funding, co-funding between participating agencies, fee-based income for services and consideration of current resources and potential for redistribution.

5. To consider program development, resource development, technical assistance and training capacity (multi-disciplinary institute) for the development and sharing of best practices.

6. To develop evaluative measures and standards for the coordinated family court services plan and family justice system.

7. To coordinate with and develop partnerships with education, executive and legislative branches of government, and in this capacity, act as a clearinghouse for all matters pertaining to children and families in the courts.

8. To recommend policies and procedures for adoption by the Idaho Supreme Court that will carry out the charge of the Committee.

9. To provide bench guide updates and develop forms and protocols in relation to all aspects of family law, child protection proceedings, juvenile justice and other legal actions affecting children.