In Support of Reauthorization of Court Improvement Program
Resolution 8 In Support of Reauthorization of Court Improvement Program
The Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators recognize the importance of securing safe and permanent homes for children and the need to move children in state custody to permanent and safe homes as quickly as possible through the efficient and effective handling of child abuse and neglect cases.
The Conferences made child welfare system reform a priority and undertook initiatives to strengthen court oversight of child welfare cases. In 1993, Congress created the original Court Improvement Program (CIP), a grant program to assist state courts in improving their handling of child abuse and neglect cases. By passage of this legislation (P.L. 103-66), Congress explicitly recognized the effect of federal mandates on state judicial systems and provided funds directly to the highest court in each state.
Congress required that each state use its CIP funds in the first year to conduct an assessment, identify problems in processing child abuse and neglect cases, and develop strategies for addressing those problems. Subsequent year CIP funds have been used to implement system improvements and evaluate their effectiveness.
The Conferences applauded the formation of the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care in 2003, a nonpartisan, multi-disciplinary group dedicated to examining strategies for improving the child welfare system, and recognized the critical oversight role that state courts play. In consultation with the Conferences, the Pew Commission made court-related recommendations focusing on four strategies:
- Courts should adopt court performance measures to track cases, increase accountability, and inform resource allocation decisions.
- Incentives and requirements should promote effective collaboration between courts and child welfare agencies.
- Children and parents should have a strong voice in court with effective representation by trained attorneys and volunteer advocates.
- Chief justices and other state court leaders should spearhead efforts to structure courts to better serve children, provide training for judges, and promote effective standards for dependency courts, judges, and attorneys.
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171) further encouraged collaboration between courts and child welfare agencies and authorized two new CIP grants: one for improving training and one for improving case timeliness.
State courts have since completed comprehensive assessments, developed and implemented innovative solutions for improving court processes, and evaluated the effectiveness of their reforms. Children across the country have benefited from the expedited and improved processing of child abuse and neglect cases, leading to safer and more permanent homes.
State courts have also leveraged CIP funds with state and local dollars to effect systemic change, revising trial and appellate court procedures, establishing and enhancing automated case tracking systems, developing court-agency data exchanges, implementing court performance measurements, and providing extensive training for judges and court staff.
Despite this progress, additional reforms are needed, and continued CIP funding remains a critical factor in maintaining and advancing these improvements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators strongly urge Congress to reauthorize the three CIP grant programs so that state courts are able to sustain, enhance, and expand their child welfare reform efforts.
Adopted as proposed by the CCJ/COSCA Courts, Children, and Families Committee at the 2011 Annual Meeting on August 3, 2011.